Impact

Lives are being changed!

Below are some examples of the impact Crossroads Ministries is having on our volunteers and the residents of our communities’ care centers. Our prayer is that these comments will be a blessing to you.

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More than just a prayer

Pegi Cooper, Chaplain

I have had the honor of being a Chaplain with Crossroads Ministries for over three years, and have found a much greater calling than just praying. I have allowed myself to personally get close to residents and their families, even more than I expected. It is easy to set personal boundaries, to play safe rather than open your heart and life to personal loss. As a hospital Chaplain, I usually encountered a family one time and often times, met with just the patient. In a skilled care center or assisted living facility, I see residents and families often--sometimes on a daily basis. I know about the lives of several generations of their family and am often times included in family visits. I feel a sacred awe to witness what is often the final goodbye of family members. Somehow it feels too personal to share in this act of love, but the families ask me to stay.

It is an even greater honor and responsibility to me when the family asks me to officiate at a funeral or memorial service. As the family gathers to talk about the service they have asked me to perform, I get a deeper glimpse into a life that has been stolen by the terrible diseases of dementia or cancer. The tears and laughter are so personal; I feel like an intruder into a drama that is unfolding. But, I realize it is an honor to learn about the life of a person who was so loved and cherished. I hear about the passion and active lifestyle of someone I have only known in a fetal position; unable to speak.

Other times it means sitting on the floor praying into a dying person’s ear; sharing the joy of knowing that Jesus is waiting for them and that they will suffer no more pain. Many times I pray the sinner’s prayer with them when I’m not sure of their salvation. Sometimes all I can do is sit in silence with a dying person who is in too much pain to even hold their hand. Then there are the tears and heartache when I share with a family that they may only have a short time for their final goodbyes.

On the other side of the spectrum--to celebrate a birthday that no one thought they would see-is such a blessing. Several days ago I gave a resident a hug and said, “You are a miracle!” When the resident asked me why, I said, “Six months ago you were dying and your family didn’t expect you to see your 90th birthday. I prayed for you to live--even when you had given up on life--and here you are talking to your family and very much alive.”

One final experience that blesses me is the Sunday services and Bible studies that I do every week. God has graced me with messages and healing services that I never expected to do--but God had other ideas. He is a God of the living and a miracle working God. There are five people that doctors only gave 24 hours to live that I see and prayer with daily, and by God’s mercy, they are still here today.

Never underestimate what God can do. He desires to save the elderly just as He desires to save ALL. Never miss the opportunity to share the Gospel with those in their Golden Years."

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God has called me to a greater calling and I am blessed He showed me a more excellent way. I have been transformed from a Martha to a Mary; choosing the best for the Lord.

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Typical reports from our volunteers:

• "The residents enjoy visiting with me and ask me to visit them again."
• "The residents enjoy having the Bible read to them."
• "Most of the residents are open to prayer."
• "Many have asked me for large-print Bibles." (Crossroads' provides large-print Bibles)
• "They (the residents) appreciate the touch of the hand and often do not want me to leave."
• "The residents enjoy receiving the birth-day cards we bring to them."
• "They (the residents) are excited to see God answer their prayers."