Dear Friends, we thank the Lord for each of you who are reading this letter, who pray for us, and who give sacrificially to support this ministry. You provide the necessary funds, intercession, and encouragement for us to carry on our work in the mission field of nursing home ministry.
To be specific, our mission is to freely supply facility staff and Christian volunteers with useful and meaningful tools to facilitate their being a blessing to the residents of the care centers where they work and minister.
Our ministry materials (see the menu at the top of every page on this website) are produced with a focus on two main goals: 1) to encourage the faith of Christian residents and 2) to provide guidance for someone with questions about being a Christian. For example, our large print and giant print hymn booklets and Christian Christmas Carol booklet are comprised of selections that are chosen based on their timeless Biblical message of salvation and faith, and hope and love. Also, each hymn booklet includes a summary of the Gospel and three pages of Holy Scripture. We also provide two large print and giant print Scripture booklets; one is composed of selections from the Psalms and the other includes passages from the New Testament about the love of God.
In addition, some of our resources are designed to give practical support to anyone who seeks to be a blessing to nursing home residents. These free items include a “talk board” to help a care giver communicate with someone who cannot talk; a short “primer” for someone new to ministry in the unique nursing home environment; information on implementing a “care package” program; a “handbook” of Christian ministry in care facilities for volunteers and a “handbook” for staff; information and tools for conducting a memorial service program for residents who have passed…to name a few.
Our home fellowship, Grace River Church, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is currently doing a Wednesday night Bible study on living a life committed to walking with Jesus and being a witness in this world for Him. One of the Scripture passages we have considered is Matthew 9:36:
When [Jesus] saw the crowds, He felt compassion for them, because they were weary and worn out, like sheep without a shepherd. (HCSB)
Three things are mentioned as to why Jesus had compassion on the multitudes: 1) they were weary; 2) they were worn out and 3) they were like sheep without a shepherd. It struck me as we looked at this passage that it characterizes the situation and the experience of many residents in long-term care settings. Those who do not know our Lord Jesus need someone to bring them the Good News. Those who are struggling in their faith in our Master need reinforcement. Those Christian residents who have lost hope due to the ravages of aging, the deprivation of institutional care, and the loneliness of diminished fellowship with family and friends. They all need someone to strengthen and encourage them to renew their hope in God.
To nursing home ministers: As nursing home under-shepherds, settled in your own salvation and your relationship with the Great Shepherd, we thank you for responding to the call from our Leader to represent Him to the little flock He has given you. Nurture their faith, their hope, and model God’s love to them! And as you do so, we are honored if you find our resources and materials of some assistance to that cause! All glory to Father God!
Love in Christ,
Jerry and Dar Johnson