If you’ve ever been in the United Kingdom, you are likely familiar with the phrase “Mind the Gap.” For those who have not heard this warning in person, as a precautionary measure for subway travelers, a female voice alerts passengers to be alert when they cross the threshold or gap between train and platform. Wouldn’t it be great if a voice would say, “Mind the Gap” when it comes to preparing the final season of our earthly life? According to Forbes, 55% of Americans are or will struggle … [Read more...]
Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries’ special sauce
While growing up, McDonald’s had a promotional campaign for its new Big Mac sandwich. If you could say “Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun” in under 2 seconds, McDonald’s would give you a free Big Mac. I ate well until the promo was cancelled. But what was this special sauce? It turns out that the ingredient that made the Big Mac stand out among the fast-food competition was a sauce similar to Thousand Island dressing. This condiment … [Read more...]
Resolved to serve, educate, advocate
One of the joys of being a part of the Missouri Baptist Convention family of ministries is the partnership we enjoy with the churches. This partnership is exemplified during the board of trustee meetings. Our boards consist of members from our MBC family of churches. At this summer’s Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries board meeting I was privileged to reflect upon the words Paul as recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:57, “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus … [Read more...]
Pray for the Baptist Homes
The calling to serve Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries is a stewardship rather than a position. As a steward, one has the responsibility to ensure the proper resources are available, and the return is pleasing to the master. The root of the Latin word “resource” surgere, is the same as the word for source. Both mean to “arise.” As Christians, we do well to understand our needed resources arise from the Source. No wonder one of the names of God is “Jehovah-Jireh,” which is … [Read more...]
A view from above
As president, I have the privilege and responsibility to point Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries to where we are going. This is the visionary aspect of leadership I love – and fear – because it means going into the unknown. Baptist Homes founder, Dr. Milford Riggs took a step into the unknown when he rented a home and received the Home’s first residents in 1913. Seven years later, Riggs led the ministry to build the massive structure that is now the Riggs-Scott building of the … [Read more...]
Make your decision before it makes you
It has been said the best time to plant a tree was a generation ago. The second-best time is now. Nobody really likes to think about getting old. However, putting off the conversation is simply delaying a talk that needs to take place. The frustrations and fears associated with aging are not easy to discuss. A study reported by Home Instead Senior Care Network identified the top 10 aging concerns of those 55 and older. Those respondents shared the following anxieties: • Aging Fear #1: … [Read more...]
Gospel informed memory care
As one ages, the inability to recall information is both common and somewhat disconcerting. “Where did the television remote go?” might simply be a frustration. However, it can also be a symptom of something more serious, especially when mom calls you at work claiming, “The plumber stole my remote.” Nagging questions such as “Did dad take his meds?” and “Did mom remember to turn off the stove?” are health and safety issues that cause family and friends to wonder when, and where, should we … [Read more...]
Alphabet soup: Deciphering the senior care options
The plethora of acronyms used by senior care providers can be intimidating at best and perilous at worst. Helping seniors, families and churches navigate the various levels of senior care is one of the services provided by the Baptist Homes. The principal levels of residential care are identified by the abbreviations IL, ALF, ICF and SNF. Independent Living (IL) communities are often designated as residential homes or neighborhoods. IL is the perfect option for the person or couple who … [Read more...]
Being Distinctively Christian
As a benevolent healthcare ministry of the Missouri Baptist Convention, the Baptist Homes campuses in Arcadia Valley, Ashland, Chillicothe and Ozark adhere to seven core values that distinguish these continuum of care senior communities from other healthcare providers in the industry. Common to each core value is our commitment to be a distinctively Christian ministry. What does this mean for the residents, staff and churches we serve? First, it means that our leadership are born-again … [Read more...]
Value of immunizations, healthcare careers
When Milford and Mary Riggs opened the doors of The Baptist Home in 1913, those early residents were referred to as “inmates.” Fortunately, the term did not stick! However, coronavirus restrictions in place since March have obligated residents of care facilities to live a near prison-like existence. Envision for a moment what it would be like to be physically estranged from family, friends and church for Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, July 4th, Birthdays, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and … [Read more...]
Impacting lives: A Christmastime update from The Baptist Home
Christmas at The Baptist Home is a special time for residents and caregivers alike. Festive decorations enlighten each hall and resident room, while nativity scenes serve as a reminder of the true reason for the season. In years past, church members would fill their cars and trucks with food and supplies and bring them to The Home each Christmas. Appreciative staff and residents accepted those gifts as from the Lord, as they often sustained the ministry in those early days. Although state … [Read more...]
God’s goodness amid an outbreak
In this column two months ago I wrote about The COVID Crisis Miracle. At that time the nation was six months into the pandemic and not a single case of the coronavirus had visited the residents or caregivers of The Baptist Home network of campuses. Then, on Oct. 1, the pandemic came to our northwest campus. The number of positive cases jumped from one to forty in a period of twelve days. That begs the question, “How does a believer reconcile months of prayer for protection from the virus … [Read more...]