Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care 

First Odessa's Pastoral Care team seeks to demonstrate God's love to all people in tangible ways and fulfill our mission statement of “reaching Odessa, the Permian Basin, and the world” by providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support to the First Odessa family as well as our community with biblical encouragement and prayer support, as well as a network of local organizations and professional referrals.

We desire to “reach” others by showing Christ to others in the way that we care for each other. We recognize that lifestyles, life stages, and circumstances alter the health and well-being of individuals, so we want to offer a support system that meets those needs. We are about promoting good health and well-being of the spirit, soul, and body.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” -John 13:34-35

Minister on Call

The Church office coordinates and calendars the Minister on Call at First Odessa. Our Ministry Staff provides a Minister on Call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. The member in crisis can call the Church office at (432) 337-1524 and leave a confidential message for a Minister, who will return the call as soon as possible. This area of ministry is to provide the availability of a minister outside of normal church office hours in case of a family emergency requiring a ministerial response. IF YOU OR SOMEONE ELSE IS IN PHYSICAL DANGER OR PHYSICALLY ILL, PLEASE CALL 911.

Hospital Visitation

Being in the hospital is a stressful, lonely situation. We want to make sure those who call First Odessa home are taken care of during these times. The Church office keeps a daily log of those members in our area hospitals. If we know, we go! Our Ministry Staff, as well as trained volunteers, visit those who are in the hospital when it is appropriate, per the family’s request. Our Pastoral Care Ministry Team registers new volunteers and provides periodic training to those who desire to visit the sick in the hospital. Please call the Church office at (432) 337-1524 if you have a desire to volunteer or need to add someone to the Hospital List.

Benevolence

The Pastoral Care Pastor will meet with our Church members and regular attenders by appointment only to discuss their financial difficulties and appropriately assess and direct each person to resources for help. First Odessa refers non-members to the Permian Basin Mission Center, www.permianbasinmission.org, for financial, food and clothing assistance. The Permian Basin Mission Center services Ector County residents. The Church office can also provide additional resource listings for the Ector and Midland County Areas. Benevolence help is defined as those expenses that directly affect the family’s ability to shelter in place: rent, utilities, food, and other critical needs to be determined by the Care Ministry office, or one of our Pastors.

Counseling

The Pastoral Care Ministry provides Biblical counseling provided by the Pastoral Staff at First Odessa. By appointment only, we will offer a confidential, safe place, with a listening ear and compassionate heart as we work through personal issues, marital concerns or bereavement support following a thorough assessment. Call the office at (432) 337-1524 to schedule a counseling appointment.

Please fill out this Intake Form, as well as download and complete our Confidentiality Acknowledgment and Release Form, and bring them to your first appointment.

Funeral Planning

The Church office has funeral planning resources and directing a family who desires help planning the funeral of a loved one. If a funeral or memorial service is desired at First Baptist Church, it will be necessary for the bereaved family to contact Sandra Beard by calling the Church office at (432) 337-1524 to discuss availability and feasibility, schedule, direct and contact participants in the service, i.e.. officiant pastor, musicians, creative communication staff, and facilities. The Church office will discuss the options for church space availability based on the Church calendar of events. The Pastoral Care Ministry office will offer counseling and direction during and after the service. If additional assistance is needed in selecting funeral homes, local cemeteries or other educational information, feel free to discuss this with us.

Prayer 

Pray 333 is First Odessa’s prayer ministry. Prayer is a foundational element for the success of every church body. We encourage Christians to seek the Lord in prayer above all else and teach them to develop their own personal prayer lives. To submit a prayer request or for information on how you can volunteer to serve as part of our Pray 333 Ministry team, contact the Church office at (432) 337-1524.