Ministry on a Mission
Residents in Mission Point have long enjoyed worship services, bible study groups and face-to-face visits with our Pastoral Care chaplains. When the pandemic of 2020 began without warning, the devoted team needed to revise their approach. Quickly, they took advantage of modern technology and adopted a whole new way of staying connected.
“With the passion I have for ministry and for God’s people, it’s important that we let people know every day how much we love them; and more importantly, throughout witness and caring, how much God loves them, too,” said Director of Pastoral Care Rev. Linda Titzell.
Weekly worship services, long held congregationally in our Nicarry Meetinghouse, have taken a new form; services are recorded and shown on our campus television Channel 25. The service is also uploaded “on demand” on our website for the convenience of members of the Faith Community who reside off-campus.
Our chaplains alternate on our morning television show In-Touch, by way of Zoom, with a daily devotion. Face time calls have become a powerful tool to connect with residents during neighborhood devotions, or while talking with a resident one-on-one, because they combine the visual presence of our pastors along with their encouraging words of comfort. “I have truly witnessed our residents light up when they see one of our kind and trusted pastors,” said Director of Community Life Mary Van Buren.
Mary recalls a recent Zoom call with Pastor Margie and a resident that started with the reassurance that “You are not alone: The Lord is with you always.” “These supportive words brought such joy to this individual and prompted the question of when they can meet again,” said Mary. “During such times of uncertainty, the warmth and familiar presence of our pastors has been greatly appreciated.”
Of course, traditional communication is not a thing of the past! The Pastoral Care team has a card ministry, sending warm greetings to residents for birthdays, anniversaries, thinking of you, or sympathy. Residents also receive a weekly mailing with devotionals, readings and activity pages.
2 Corinthians 4:8 says “We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.” During these days of the pandemic, our normal routines and schedules have been altered, but our spiritual bonds have stayed strong, thanks in part to our devoted pastors. Pastor Linda says, “we are always here for people – it’s what we do, it’s what God has called me and the other chaplains to do!”