The Lazarus Center began as a ministry to connect hurting people with Christ-centered resources for growth and healing, but has grown into much more. Continuing to build on that base, we have added resources to help equip churches to both minister to their own hurting members and also to equip people to better serve in their churches and communities, bringing the Gospel to a lost world.
The Lazarus Center was founded in 1988 to bring together resources of healing for body, soul, and spirit. The local Episcopal Church Women donated $800 in start-up funds and Valerie Vitunic became the center’s director.
The first emotional and spiritual support course, Being Set Free, was developed and offered (now entitled Freedom in Christ. The first offices of the center opened two days per week for telephone and face-to-face support services. Approximately 80-90 people received prayer, attended class, or obtained lay emotional and spiritual support during the first two years of operation.
The Lazarus Center incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, interdenominational agency in Ambridge, PA. Volunteers were trained, and the center began serving people with emotional and spiritual needs. Classes and support groups were developed to support people struggling with depression, anxiety, or other issues.
Between 1992 and 1997, The Lazarus Center moved to new, expanded offices, hired a part-time assistant director and an administrator, and began thinking about a day center to serve people in recovery from addictions, depression, or general life traumas. During this time, approximately 715 people received support through prayer, the Listening Ministry, support groups, and classes – with scholarship fund money available to those in need.
By the year 2000, The Lazarus Center had branched out to teaching classes at other area settings and was regularly drawing students and retreat participants from many southwestern Pennsylvania communities and churches. During 2000 and 2001, approximately 1,200 people participated in The Lazarus Center’s programs.
Early in 2006, Drug and Alcohol Services of Beaver Valley placed a counselor at the center to provide services to local individuals. That fall, The Lazarus Center was contacted by the Beaver County Jail Chaplain to begin a pastoral care program for the women in jail.
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45 N. Freemont Avenue, Bellevue, PA 15202
admin@thelazaruscenter.org
412-250-7100