Mercy Street
Ministries
“Equipping
the saints
to reach the lost,
help the hurting,
and unite
the Body of Christ”
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 71
18 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 support
during 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 1
1 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 31
6 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 6
2 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 3
16 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 in
a long-term care facility:
•
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•
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Being a good listener
Being sensitive and emphatic
Being flexible
Being joyful
Being authentic
Being able to provide spiritual affirmation
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.
Stubblefield, Jerry. (2002). Serving in Church Visitation. Zondervan
Visiting in a Long-Term Care Facility
Suggestions that can help your experience go well:
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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.
Express thanks for the time you had together.
Ask if you may visit again.
Stubblefield, Jerry. (2002). Serving in Church Visitation. Zondervan
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 10
12 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 23
4 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 will
dwell 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.