“Equipping the saints

to reach the lost, help the hurting,

and unite the Body of Christ”

“Equipping the saints

to reach the lost, help the hurting,

and unite the Body of Christ”

Mercy Street Ministries

Copyright All Rights Reserved Worldwide

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and

the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and

widows in their affliction, and to keep himself

unspotted from the world.”

James 1:27

Building A New Community

The de facto community of a nursing home is a hopeless community. It is a community of elderly orphans who have been left to live and die alone with strangers. There are no children walking dogs. There are no ice cream vendors on a hot summer day. In the community there is little love.

We must break down the walls of the contemporary nursing home. We must annihilate the isolation. We must allow the love of God to flow. We must build a new community for the nursing home elderly.

Lee, Rev. Dr. Chong. (2004). Nursing Home Ministry. Xulon Press

The Journey Home

Psalms 48

14 For this God is our God for

ever and ever: he will be our guide even

unto death.

• Many people will wait until later in life to consider the reality of their own mortality.

• Some wait until it is too late to consider the destiny of their own soul.

• For many the nursing home may be their final residence before they meet eternity.

We must visit those who are often neglected.

The Journey Home

Psalms 7118 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God,

forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

• Open your heart with compassion and express your care.

• Demonstrate your concern by showing them value.

• Be a friend and simply listen.

Everyone will need supportduring times of suffering.

The Journey Home

Psalms 71:9-12

9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

10 For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,

11 Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.

12 O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.

We must not forget those that are elderly in the streets of our community.

The Challenge

• Some find themselves with a greater dependency upon others.

• Some require specialized care.• Without friends, family, and spiritual

support, their own fears and loneliness could overwhelm their lives.

• They soon find themselves in a world that closes in around them.

1 Kings 11 When King David was old and well advanced in years, he could not keep warm even when they put covers over him. NIV

The Challenge

• Many of the same stress are upon the family as they assume the role of a caregiver.

• In time, those providing care to their family member will become weary and stressed.

• Many over time withdraw from giving care to the one in the nursing home.

• Let God reach into your heart and share the love He has for all people including the elderly.

• Even David was looking for assurance that God was with him in his later years.

Deuteronomy 316 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake

thee.

Ministering to the Elderly

• Ministry to the elderly is close to the heart of God.

• Hearts that give and hearts that receive experience the same emotion of wholeness.

• Somehow God created us that when we help others in need our own heart responds with joy and well being.

• As you become comfortable in visiting the elderly you will soon invite others to assist you.

The greatest hope on this earth is the Church ministering through the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus.

Ministering to the Elderly

• Churches have a unique opportunity to recruit volunteers from their congregations to minister in Nursing homes.

• Establish a ministry of visiting residents or a congregational-based service in a meeting room.

• Participate in a ministry through making and donating quilts, sweaters, blankets, etc.

• The residents also like stuffed animals, socks, and reading materials.

• Visit the nursing homes on special occasions such as Christmas, Easter, other special occasions, and weekly visits.

Galatians 62 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Ministering to the Elderly

• The nursing home director can schedule a meeting room for services.

• Work with the nursing home staff and they will help identify those that need your friendship.

• Always respect privacy by only sharing information that the family has given you.

• Always knock before entering a resident’s room.

Colossians 316 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Visiting in a Long-Term Care Facility

Some of the qualities needed by those who visit persons ina long-term care facility:

• Being a good listener• Being sensitive and emphatic• Being flexible• Being joyful• Being authentic• Being able to provide spiritual affirmation

Stubblefield, Jerry. (2002). Serving in Church Visitation. Zondervan

Not all the residents are old; many are young or middle-aged adults who have suffered an injury or illness that requires more care that the family can give.

Visiting in a Long-Term Care Facility

Suggestions that can help your experience go well:

• Observe the policies of the facility; including visiting hours.• Be natural, cheerful, positive, and spontaneous.• Compliment the person in some way.• Ask the resident’s opinion on something.• Be considerate of their physical needs and

limitations.• Affirm the person’s faith and pray for him or her.• Don’t be afraid to show your emotions –

laughter or tears.• Be alert to opportunities to minister to the staff.

A kind word goes a long way toward building rapport.

Stubblefield, Jerry. (2002). Serving in Church Visitation. Zondervan

Visiting Terminal Patients

If you knew your days were numbered, how could someone best help you?:

• Having a friend who listens without interruption.• Engaging in open and honest conversation about

any subject.• Knowing that faith, hope, and love abide forever

(focusing on eternal).• Becoming reconciled with family, friends, and

God.• Experiencing complete forgiveness and God’s

intimate friendship.• Knowing what to expect.

Stubblefield, Jerry. (2002). Serving in Church Visitation. Zondervan

Express thanks for the time you had together. Ask if you may visit again.

Speaking to the Heart

• We must use the Word of God to truly speak to a heart and see an eternal effect upon a life.

• The Word of God contains the very essence of life.• Speak His Words from your heart to another.• Expect God to touch hearts as the Holy Spirit uses you to minister to

lives.• Speak encouraging and uplifting words to others.• If you speak to the heart of someone you will be successful

ministering to them.

Hosea 1012 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

Scriptures of Comfort and Hope

Psalms 234 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life: and I willdwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Allow Him to touch the heart, soul, and body of one in need through His Words. Speak his Words into the life of another.