HopeKeepers is a nondenominational Christian encouragement support group for those living with chronic pain. It is affiliated with a national group, Rest Ministries of San Diego. Rest Ministries currently serves individuals through 130 support groups called HopeKeepers,
based within churches and communities in 30 states and 3 countries (U.S., Africa and Australia).
The Odessa chapter began meeting in June of 2003 at Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord and started with 10 members. The membership continues to rise today. HopeKeepers meets every Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Risen Lord. There is no charge for attending these meetings and we highly encourage you to attend.
Donna Brown is the leader of the Odessa group and is available for speaking
engagements. For more information, call (432) 362-
About Chronic Illness:
- Nearly one in every two Americans has a chronic condition.
- Despite what we may assume, 60% of those who live with daily illness or pain are between the ages of 18 and 64.
- The divorce rate among the chronically ill is over 75 percent.
- Depression is 15-
20% higher for the chronically ill than for the average person. However, the significance of one’s faith has shown to lower one’s risk of depressive symptoms and aid one in better handling a stressful medical event. - Various studies have reported that physical illness or uncontrollable physical pain are major factors in up to 70% of suicides; and more than 50% of these suicidal patients were under 35 years of age.
Those who use their religious faith to cope are significantly less depressed, even when taking into account the severity of their physical illness. In fact, the clinical effects of religious coping showed the strongest benefit among those with severe physical disability. Some 87 patients hospitalized with serious illness who also then suffered depression were followed over time in another study. The patients with a deep, internalized faith recovered faster from the depression, even when their physical condition wasn’t improving.
Feel free to attend any of our meetings which should resume early on the Fall. To
find out more call Donna Brown or the LCRL Office -
(432) 362-
Rest Ministries -
HopeKeepers -
The Sunroom -
