Our mission
Missionaries are special servants in the vineyard of the Lord. They live and work for the gospel in many countries around the world and often have to make many sacrifices that are physically and emotionally demanding. However, when it comes to taking time out to renew their energy, this usually only takes the form of a home leave with their families and relatives, but not a real vacation where they can rest for a few days or weeks and recharge their batteries. The result is that many of them burn out or fall ill after years of hard work and without much of a break and sooner or later leave the mission field for good. We want to prevent this, because “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few...” (Matthew 9:37) and we need missionaries more than ever.
Refreshing hearts
At its core, Rifugio San Filippo focuses on the physical, spiritual and emotional health of God's servants around the world. Although we are a very small organization, we have a passion for mentoring and encouraging those who serve the Lord in full-time ministry in cross-cultural situations.
The staff at Rifugio San Filippo always strives to provide a safe environment and a listening ear for staff to share their stories with someone outside of their organization and/or work environment. Our main leader has international experience and knows firsthand the unique challenges and stresses that global missionaries face.
Pastoral Counseling
Counselors in general are trained to help people through difficult times, but pastoral counselors focus on spirituality and faith. A pastoral counselor helps to work through things while also keeping faith and values in mind.
Pastoral counseling is grounded in theology, meaning it’s based on an understanding of how faith and human experience connect. It helps people not only cope with pain but also grow in their spiritual life.
Rifugio San Filippo's pastoral counseling ministry is based on biblical principles and strives to meet both spiritual and emotional needs.
Pastoral Support
Pastors who are actively involved in pastoral care are important because it keeps them connected to the body of Christ and helps their church grow in faith.
However, pastors face many challenges and are constantly confronted with problems, and they are expected to have an answer for everything. But pastors are usually alone and have no advisors at their side. They often need a neutral person to help them reflect on problems in their church life.
We as Rifugio San Filippo would like to support them by offering a listening ear and a compassionate heart and are ready to assist with advice and support.