Here is a mission field of significance in plain view of almost every church in America, and most have never lifted their eyes to look on these fields, white (or gray) unto harvest.

Dr. Glenn B.Havumaki

Provided by CN Building Adult Ministries Resource Center

While reading a letter from one of our Converge Worldwide missionaries recently, I noted this sentence: Pray for the work of Converge Worldwide, which is working hard to deploy people and resources to the least-reached areas of the world.

We used to identify the people groups of the world that had no established church, no written Word of God and no witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ as “hidden people groups,” which today are called “unreached people groups.”  Many of those unreached people groups are located in what has been called the “10/40 Window.” 

In America we now have what we can call the “40/50 Window.”  Each day as we leave our homes we step into this window because 40% of all Americans are 50+ in age.  And within that population about 1.7 million live in nursing homes.  Who are these residents?  A former housewife, laborer, mechanic, business executive, mayor, minister, board member of the nursing home. Those who have had position – those we classify as white collar, blue collar, clergy collar, no collar – now, all on level ground as they age.  You might see those who could have had position of power and influence, and yet like the lilies of the field, they have faded, lost their vitality and freshness, and soon will be no more.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,2 says, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven:  A time to be born – and a time to die; A time to plant – and a time to pluck what is planted.” In Matthew 9:37 we read, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”  John 4:35, “…behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are already white unto harvest.”  The nursing homes of our land are faced with the staggering task of taking care of 1.7 million people, most of whom have been deemed too helpless to live under their own care or the care of a family.  The homes do a good job of taking care of the physiological, psychological, social and intellectual needs of the patients, but usually look to the community to do the spiritual care and provide religious services.

Here is a “hidden people group in plain view.”   Nearly 2 million people about to cross over “the bridge of eternal significance,” with almost two thirds dying each year; many going to a Christ-less eternity!  Here is a mission field of significance in plain view of almost every church in America, and most have never lifted their eyes to look on these fields, white (or gray) unto harvest.  We invest people, time and dollars identifying those in the 10/40 window, or other far away places, and miss the opportunity to reach almost 2 million people within “ear shot” of our churches. It would require little drain on financial resources to secure eternal life for those million or so people who each year cross that bridge from earthly life to eternal life.

The Lord led me, beyond my wildest dreams, out of my first pastorate in 1976 to serve in a mission ministry called the Community Chaplain Service (CCS), a ministry with institutions of all kinds, but mostly in nursing homes.  While I served with CCS, God chose to redirect my life and ministry in a way I never expected.  Through an experience in my first job as an attendant (orderly) in a mental institution, where I was assigned on the first Sunday to take the men to chapel services, I was nudged by the Holy Spirit to think about the opportunities of chaplaincy.

I always thought that interest would lead to a hospital position as chaplain, but never gave thought to serving as a chaplain in a retirement community.  I was called to leave CCS and become the Chaplain of the Elim Park Baptist Home in Cheshire, Conn., in 1979, where I continue to serve to the present day.  The Holy Spirit is at work and we have seen about 100 residents make professions of faith to become Christ followers over the last six years.  Sometimes we have the privilege of a “moment” to bring the gospel message to even those affected with severe dementia.

One of my assistant chaplains was visiting a resident who had moved from independent living to the skilled care section of our healthcare wing.  He had seen her go from relatively good health to becoming expressionless and non-responsive, as dementia began to take its toll.  Yet in faithfulness, this chaplain would visit on a regular basis and read Scripture and pray.  One day as he was leaving the room he heard the “still small voice” of the Holy Spirit say. “Go back in there!”  He knew what he was being called to do, and did not see the value in it, but went back anyhow.  He shared the gospel and then said, “I am going to pray a prayer that you can follow. It will help you confess and repent of your sinfulness, and ask Jesus Christ to come and live in your heart, as your personal Savior. You will know that you will go to heaven when you die. I don’t know if you understand what I have said, but if so, pray these words in your heart after me.”  And he prayed, not knowing if anything was happening but when he said “amen,” he looked up and for the first time in perhaps a year there was a smile on her face, from ear to ear.  This chaplain said this was for him the affirmation that he had done what the Holy Spirit had directed. The response of a heart now right with God was expressed in the smile. God can reach even the most difficult souls when we are faithful to follow his lead.

Elim Park has a grant fund that supports retired pastors, missionaries, chaplains who have served in Converge Worldwide. Financial assistance is provided to those accepted to this program, including a reduction in the entrance fee and monthly rent. In return participants are asked to serve 15 to 20 hours per week with the Department of Christian Ministries.  Elim Park is seeking to build a “wait list” and would be glad to talk to retired pastors, missionaries and chaplains regarding this wonderful opportunity for ministry and security in retirement years.

I also would be glad to talk with anyone who has an interest in nursing home ministry and share resources and ideas.  Ask the Lord if he might want you to consider that hidden people group in plain view of your church!     -GH

Rev. Dr. Glenn Havumaki presently serves as Director of Christian Ministries and Chaplain at Elim Park Baptist Home in Cheshire, Conn., and has been involved in ministries with older adults since 1976.  He served as Coordinator of BGC Gold and 2nd 1/2 for Him ministries in the Northeast District, as well as the national ministries of BGC Gold and 2nd 1/2 for Him.  He also serves as the Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of the Community Chaplain Service, Inc. Dr. Havumaki can be reached by email at GHavumaki@elimpark.org or by calling (203) 272-3547. This article was first published in Converge Worldwide News, March 2011.