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BeFriender Ministry

A Listening Presence

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Board & Director

Executive Director

Barbara Schwery

Barbara Schwery is the Executive Director for the BeFriender Ministry National Office. She has served on the National Office Staff since 1995 and is a certified BeFriender Ministry workshop leader. Barb holds a master of ministry from Seattle University and a bachelor’s degree in social work from the College of St. Catherine, Saint Paul, MN.

Barb has been involved in pastoral ministry since 1981 and has one unit of clinical pastoral education. Prior to joining the national staff Barb served for 13 years as a church-affiliated pastoral minister where she initiated, developed, and maintained BeFriender Ministry programs. She provided direct pastoral care as well as training and ongoing supervision for a variety of volunteers, including BeFriender ministers.

Barb served on the BeFriender ministry Advisory committee prior to her role on the National Staff. She has been a member of the Hopkins Health Care Center advisory board and a member of the Association of Pastoral Ministers serving on the executive board and committees.

BeFriender Ministry Board of Directors

board on a Zoom call

Pictured Left to Right
Top Row: Carole Frane, Barb Schwery, Bill Fitzgerald
Middle Row: Chuck Waletzko, Jeanne Perkins, William Pederson
Bottom Row: Reid Johnston, Kathy Rosenberg, Chaplain Theresa Gehrke-Herwynen

  • Carole Frane, Chairperson
  • Reid Johnston, Treasurer
  • William Pederson, Secretary
  • Bill Fitzgerald
  • Chaplain Theresa Gehrke-Herwynen
  • Jeanne Perkins
  • Kathy Rosenberg
  • Chuck Waletzko

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Foundations for BeFriender Ministry

Virtual Workshop Schedule


January 26-29, 2021
Early Bird Discount Ends: December 28
—Register January 26-29


February 23-26, 2021
Early Bird Discount Ends: January 25
—Register February 23-26


Download our Virtual Event Flyer

See our full workshop schedule.


Virtual BeFriender Candidate Training

Program Leaders Virtual RoundTable Event

Chaplain John

“The BeFriender teams on our campuses have been invaluable in doing phone ministry with fellow residents during this time of social isolation. Some campuses have divided their total population among the BeFrienders so that everyone gets an occasional call!”

Chaplain John

Pastor Dan

“I encourage any congregation to receive this training! It was well organized and very user friendly. We all feel prepared and excited to begin this Caring Ministry that we feel has the power to transform our congregation.”

Pastor Dan

Deb

“We are living in a unique, stressful, anxious time that BeFriender Ministry is uniquely qualified to respond to.”

Deb

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BeFriender Ministry – A Listening Presence

1120 E 80th Street, Suite 105
Bloomington, MN 55420
952-767-0244

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