Area Church Officials Get Help Working With Congregation Members Fighting Cancer

By Justin Udo

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Pastors, ministers and spiritual leaders from around the region get a course on how to properly support people in their congregation who are fighting cancer.

The Cancer Treatment Centers of America's Journey of Hope program gives congregation leaders tools to work with their church members who have the disease.

"They're going to learn how to implement a program," says pastor Aking Beverly with the center. "They're going to learn how to minister to cancer patients in a one on one or in a group setting. We provide them with resources to build a strong foundation for cancer ministry and support in their local community."

He says the folks who attend learn about the disease, treatments and physical side effects, as well as emotional and social needs for patients and their families:

"We found that with this program we can help at least make them a little more comfortable having complex discussions about cancer."

Chaplin Phil Olsen with the center says part of the ongoing coaching includes emails, news letters and phone calls of encouragement:

"Our goal is to provide them with the tools so they can go back home and then incarnate, flesh it out in a way that's unique to their local church and community context."

More than 45 leaders attended the two-day conference.

For more information on the program, including when they'll hold more workshops, CLICK HERE.