About Us
In the Beginning
My brothers and I faced a heart-wrenching decision: should our ailing parents be
placed in a nursing care facility? Dad, suffering from renal cancer that attacked
his spine, was too weak to be alone. Mother’s massive stroke left her unable to
walk, eat or speak so that others could understand. Though we didn’t want to face
it, the conclusion was clear.
My brothers and I spent long hours each day visiting our parents. As I walked the
halls and noticed how lonely the residents were, the Lord began to speak to me about
reaching out to these precious people. At first, I did not want to listen to this
still, small voice. I had too many things going on in my own life! I worked a full-time
job, my husband had many health issues to contend with, and not only that – I was
far too old to begin a new ministry.
After both of my parents passed away, the Lord continued to speak to me. I began
to dream that my mom was being plunged into horrible situations – situations that
I would not have allowed her to be in. I often woke up crying. I finally asked the
Lord, "Why am I having these dreams? My mom is no longer with me and I can’t help
her." He softly replied, "What about those you can help?" The Lord extended
an invitation to me – one that I could not refuse. No longer was there a need for
questions, only obedience. It was time to take His hand and walk this journey with
Him.
"No segment of our society is as desperately needy for spiritual food as those
confined to Nursing Homes and Convalescent Centers. I think of them as God’s jewels,
His Precious Jewels....In Reality, we are fortunate and blessed than He has entrusted
them to us."
Herm Haakenson, The SonShine Society
The Need
As I began my research to explore what was being done to meet the spiritual
and emotional needs of the residents of our nations skilled care centers, I was
heartbroken to learn the answer: "VERY LITTLE!" The care centers' staff
care for the residents' physical needs on a daily basis, but the spiritual
and emotional needs of the residents are rarely discussed. This does not
represent neglect on the part of health care professionals; they are trained in
the administration of physical care. At the same time, I believe it is crucial that
we minister to the whole person. This includes their spiritual and emotional needs
as well as the physical. Therefore, we need to send qualified volunteers into the
care centers who are trained and experienced in the administration of spiritual
care.
 |
I also found that in a survey of over 16,000 skilled care centers in the United
States that only 15% of the residents of these facilities receive
personal visits. The remaining 85% rarely receive a visit from
anyone – not a relative, friend, clergy, or members of the Christian Church. The
primary reasons that residents are abandoned are the results of dysfunctional families
and the geographical separation of family members.
Another disturbing fact is that only 5% of these centers have on-staff
chaplains. Consequently, many of the elderly are lonely, depressed, angry and bitter,
and they don’t understand why they have been forgotten by the outside world.
The Ministry
Crossroads Ministries USA, Inc.'s primary mission is
to place trained volunteers and
chaplains in skilled care centers and assisted living facilities to help meet
the spiritual and emotional needs of the elderly. To carry out this mission, much
of the research and planning began in 2000. In 2002, Crossroads filed for corporate,
501 (c) (3), non-profit status in the State of Colorado and began the training and
placement of volunteers in 20 care centers in Colorado Springs, Colorado. We also founded
a new school in 2007 called Crossroads School of Chaplaincy.
Crossroads chaplains now serve in several care centers in Colorado.
"For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me something
to drink; I was a stranger and you brought Me together with yourselves and welcomed
and entertained and lodged Me; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you
visited Me with help and ministering care....Truly, I tell you, in as far as you
did it for one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."
Matthew 25:35, 36, 40
The Future
With Colorado Springs serving as the springboard of operations, and because the
national need to care for the spiritual and emotional needs of the residents of
the care centers is so great, our goal is to extend this ministry to other communities
throughout the nation. In addition to our headquarters in Colorado Springs, Crossroads
is visiting care center residents in Del Norte, Pueblo and Canon City, Colorado;
Cheyenne, Wyoming and Hutchinson, Kansas. Final plans are being made to open offices
in Florida, Massachusetts, California and Hawaii in 2008.
By Kay F. Owen, President/CEO