Learning to help each other
Biblical counselling program set to begin this year in Rankin
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
RANKIN INLET
Plans are gearing up to have a new 10-module Biblical counselling program offered in Rankin Inlet later this year.
Counsellor and facilitator for the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility, Noel Kaludjak, is looking forward to the start of a Biblical Counselling program in Rankin Inlet later this year. - NNSL file photo |
It's been more than 18 months since the previous program concluded in Rankin.
Noel Kaludjak, a graduate of the Biblical counselling program and a counsellor and facilitator for the Rankin Inlet Healing Facility, said a number of the previous course graduates were employed using their newly-earned credentials.
He said the knowledge gained from the program also helps course graduates with their personal lives, as well as their professional endeavours.
"People take this course and they begin helping others almost immediately," said Kaludjak.
"When you take this training, you help yourself first by dealing with your own issues.
"You have to deal with your own problems before you can help others.
"Graduates get their diploma, which they can present on their resume, and, hopefully, they'll get good jobs and help others in their community."
The average length of each module in the program is two-to-three weeks.
The modules are held about three months apart, and tend to get more and more intense as the training progresses.
If everything moves along according to plan, the first module of the Biblical counselling program should start in Rankin Inlet sometime around October.
The program will, once again, be facilitated by Clare and Clara Schnupp.
Kaludjak said he's known the Schnupps since about 1994.
He said Clare has travelled a good part of the globe delivering the program and helping people deal with their personal issues.
"One person who completes this program has the potential to help many people and many families.
"The program builds upon itself, and having more people properly trained in Biblical counselling really helps in having healthier communities."
Kaludjak helped found and organize the original Men Rising Up self-help group in Coral Harbour, along with Willie Eetuk, Jackie Nakoolak and Kidlapik Nakoolak.
Although the counselling program is rooted in the Bible, Kaludjak said it is effective in helping everyone regardless of their religious beliefs.
He said the training course does, however, help give participants a deeper understanding of what is written in the Bible.
"Taking this program helped me a lot, and it's of great benefit to better understand what it really means when you read verses from the Bible.
"I don't preach it, but it really helps me when I'm working with people who really need my help.
"It's not about using my training to change anyone's faith or beliefs, but, rather, how I use it as my own tool to help others.
"I never use it to persuade people to believe this or that, because I absolutely respect people's beliefs.
"Anyone I work with is free to believe whatever they want to, as long as they get the help they need."
