Nursing Home Update - May 2017

Barnsdall/Sapulpa

Today was a great day and the last day of my Month. Barnsdall is amazing. They have a real hunger for the Lord, both residents and staff. There are some ministers in there. When we get started it's hard to get us stopped. We certainly do love the Lord. Then it was off to Sapulpa. We are growing here too. This afternoon was the first time I heard any resident say they'd rather keep singing than go to bingo - Wow!

Muskogee

As people came into the service this afternoon, I found myself going to the center and residents wrapping around me until it was a service in the round. (They like to put their chairs against the wall as much as possible so they don't slide.) It seems that residents in assisted living facilities have many more questions than those in nursing homes. This afternoon was no exception. We were recapping 2 questions we have been looking at: Why did Jesus Come? and, Why did Jesus go? That brought up a whole lot of questions. We could have been there for a long time. I heard people after the service say, "You just can't get to much of the Word!" I agree. On the road in Muskogee.

Muskogee

We had approx. 40 in this mornings service. What a great group. Once again we raised our hands to the Lord and then looked into the Word to see what He had for us today. At the close of the service we sang - Standing On The Promises Of God. We are aggressively growing churches within the walls of nursing care facilities throughout eastern Oklahoma.

Pawnee

And so, here we are 70 miles down the road and in Pawnee. We are ready to press into God and praise the Lord. We had about 25 in the service this afternoon. (When most of them are in wheel chairs that fills up a pretty good sized room.) We were reminded of the verse that says, "Where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name there He is in the midst." We recognized His presents and honored Him. At the close there were several staff people who had come in the room. We prayed God's healing power to move through the residents, the staff, and throughout the facility. At the close there were several Amen's.

Broken Arrow

Asking me to minister in a nursing care facility is like throwing me a candy bar. I'll just get a smile on my face and ask where and when. That doesn't mean it's easy. It does mean that God has graced me to do the work.

This morning we had an amazing time in Broken Arrow. The residents were like sponges soaking up the Word. After the service was over they didn't want to leave and neither did I. Many of them said, "I needed that!" I just love it when God shows Himself strong. Now, it's on to Pawnee. I'll be coming in after a country band and we'll be having us a Hee Haw time.

Vinita

I always look forward to Vinita. Both the staff and residents are an amazing group of people. It seems that we continue to grow here. Even when they are watching a movie, they would rather praise the Lord. The residents are getting mo comfortable in asking for prayer. I prayed for several people today.

Inola

This was my second service in Inola. It's exciting to watch the reaction on peoples faces as the music begins to play. Residents and staff really do love the old hymns. We had a great service. At the close we asked God to move in a mighty way through this facility: residents and staff. As I was picking up after the service the administrator came in and expressed how much she appreciated us being there. We will continue to go and do what the Lord calls us too. On the road: Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost.

Wewoka

We had another good time of ministry this afternoon. Many of the residents in Wewoka receive ministry the best through music. It's always interesting to note the staff watching the residents. Obviously they know the residents better than I do and they always seem surprised to see the residents respond the way they do: smiles, hands in the air, tears, sometimes loud shouts. And then I pray with each one. I believe God's healing/delivering power can be transferred through the laying on of hands, so that's what I do. Then, we keep the switch of faith turned on.

Okemah

It's good to be back in Colonial Park. They welcomed me back with open arms. There are so many residents here I know. It was just like putting my hand in a glove. We raised our voices and our hands to the Lord in praise. There are a few residents here who are new, one of them started a bible study. That was extremely good news. We are the church! Praise the Lord! Now it's on to Wewoka.

McAlester

This is the third time I've been to Walnut Grove Nursing Center. We are growing. Some of the residents are even bring their bibles. (I would love to show you some pictures of the services however federal regulations tell us we can no longer expose residents on the internet or social media. It is for their protection.) You remember the phrase: one picture is worth a thousand words? I need to figure out how to say it in less. There was laughter, tears, rejoicing, and much singing. We simply had a great time in the Lord. God is so good!

Henryette

I'm pretty excited about being in Henryetta. This facility is a 119 bed facility and bigger than all of the nursing homes in this area. I got a short tour of the facility and met several of the residents. We are going to have a great time. It all starts next month. Now, it's on to McAllester.

Muskogee

The Brentwood nursing home is a constant - good experience. The staff has a lot to do with that. They make sure the residents are in the meeting room and ready for the service. Today, we had some visitors. They came to see a resident but stayed for the service. As the service started I began to minister to them as though they were the only ones in the room. After the service they said, the message was exactly what they needed. I love it when that happens. Everyone was blessed. We are seeing God move in a mighty way all throughout eastern Oklahoma. Now, it's on to Hartshorne.

Nowata

Nursing Home Week is this week. That means their schedules are wild. Every day has a different theme. And, every day is loaded with extra activities. The nursing homes I'm in, include me in their schedule. Nowata was glad I came. Even thou they're having extra activities they understand the importance of lifting up the name of Jesus. At the close of the service there were several who requested prayer. I am always ready to pray. "believe that you receive when you pray, and you shall have."

Claremore

I wish I could take all of you into a nursing care facility to see the type of ministry that takes place. Each facility has it's own personality. This morning, as we were singing, a woman came into the room and knelt by the chair her husband was siting in. (He is a resident, she is not.) She stayed in that knelling position, holding his hand, and singing to him the rest of the service. This kind of stuff can't be planed, it's God directed. We just need to learn how to flow with it. This particular facility is an Alzheimer unit. The music that I use is the main source for ministry. Lives have been changed and enriched by singing: "What Can Wash Away My Sins. Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus." And, many other hymns that line up with the Word of God. After every service I believe they have been changed and I have been changed. Now, it's on to Nowata: Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Stillwater

It was an exciting afternoon. The activities director came out of her office with a smile on her face. She was surprised to see the residents singing. I mean really singing. They new the words and the tune. Some of the residents came to the front and wanted to be part of the "choir". They are beginning to do things the staff has not seen for a long time. Praise the Lord! This is the first time we stopped for Bingo and they were sad.

Tulsa

We had a good turnout this morning. I realize that sometimes, on Monday morning, it can be a little harder to get moving, but not this morning. The residents here at the Oklahoma Methodist Manor are blessed to be in such a wonderful place. No matter where we live and no matter what our situation is we must remember Heb 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."Let's always remember to seek after God!

Muskogee

The last time I was here I asked the question, "Why did Jesus come?" There are 4 reasons but the first reason was, He came to seek and to save that which was lost. We talked about that. This time I asked the question, "Why did Jesus go?" We saw that one of the reasons Jesus went was so He could send the Holy Spirit to us. Then, we camped-out on the 7 attributes or characteristics of the Holy Spirit. As we sang, I could hear clapping down one of the halls. There was a resident in a wheel chair coming into the service and clapping to the music on her way. We are excited about Jesus and what He has done for us.

Wilburton

We had another good service this morning. There were visitors this morning. I like that. It's always good to see family and friends coming in to visit. They were also in the service. That's even better. When I started quoting scripture, paper and pen came out and they were taking notes. We are Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost.

Tulsa

This morning I asked the question - Why did Jesus go? Jesus said, "I must go so the Holy Spirit can come." Today we talked about the Holy Spirit and how important He is to us today. It was awesome. He is doing a mighty work in nursing homes.

Sallisaw

It was good to be back in Sallisaw. Everywhere we go we see the love of God in action. There are so many people who just need someone who cares. Someone who is willing to look past everything you can see and smell in a nursing home and love on the people. I simply love what God has called me to do. We (me and our Life Senders) will be His hands and His voice in the nursing homes.

Wagoner

Even on Monday morning it's important to know people need the Lord; broken hip, child passed away, bad family relationships, and the story goes on. Jesus came to mend wounded lives, to set the captives free. This morning it seemed fit to talk about why Jesus came. Then, I prayed for everyone in the room. We have come to share the good news of Jesus. We have come to set the captives free.

Eufaula

As we began to sing this morning. It was fun to watch some of the residents come alive in Christ. One gentlemen, who had a fairly weak voice, was just preaching up a storm. We stopped singing a little bit just to let him get it out. He was a blessing. He finished up by yelling, "I need Him now more than ever before!" Isn't that true? We should be pressing in to God all the time. Now, it's on to Holdenville.

On the road: Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost

Tahlequah

This afternoon a woman came into the meeting I new had had a stroke within the last couple of months. I sensed the need to minister on healing. So, I turned to 1 Peter 2:24. The end of that verse says, "By who's strips ye were healed." There were many residents in the room and we all needed that message but I was really focused on her. We closed with, "Standing On The Promises Of God." Then, I prayed with everyone in the room. We left that room much stronger, in our faith, than when we came in. God's Word is true and we are keeping the switch of faith turned on.

Muskogee

I want to thank the staff at Brentwood for bringing residents into the service this morning. Many would not be able to come on their own. You are a blessing. This morning we looked at the thought, "God Is My Source For Everything Good." Here is a radical statement, "God helps some people more than others." That's because He moves based on our faith and some people believe more than others. Today we looked at the promises of God and shared what it takes for those promises to be active in our lives. We could have been their all days. I remember the mandate the Lord gave me for the nursing homes: "Strengthening The Saved - Saving The Lost." That phrase is definitely growing on the inside of me. I'm finding that that is what I am doing no matter where I minister. God is so good!

Fort Gibson

I guess sometimes you just gotta sing! We had several residents who came in the service this afternoon and asked to sing. I mean they wanted to sing the whole time. So we did! It was wonderful. It reminded me of the old Sunday night singings we had at our church growing up. Fritz leading the singing and Eileen playing the piano. (Only you Des Moines, Ia people know what I'm talking about)

Warner

The Warner nursing home is a very special place. This facility can care for certain physical issues that many other facilities can not. As a result of that I have residents in my service, at this facility, that I do not have at other facilities. There were probably a dozen or so geri chairs with residents that could not respond to me in a normal way. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to pray with them and for them. It is wonderful to see the smiles come to their faces when your not sure they even know that your there. We are blessed to be a blessing. Bless someone today!

Stilwell

Sometimes I wonder about traveling as far as I travel. But then, when I enter the nursing home and begin to minister I remember why I do. There are very few who do what we do and yet it is very necessary. Even the workers came to me this afternoon asking for prayer. "Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel."

Tahlequah

I am forever grateful to God who is faithful. When people press into Him, He will always honor that. This morning we had residents who honored the Lord. They pressed into Him through praise and worship. One resident wanted me to pray for his neck. (So many times they are not expecting me to stop what I'm doing and pray right then. But I do.) I laid my hands on his neck and prayed God's healing power to do a mighty work through his neck and through his entire body. He opened his eye's wide and said, "The pain is gone!" Praise the Lord. Now it's on to Stilwell.

Chandler

Here we are. (Me and my supporters.) We are in Chandler and ready to Praise The Lord. I think that because this is Monday and May 1st, not all of the activities calender's have been updated yet. The crowds have been low to start with then grow as residents hear the music. We had a good time. You know that when residents want big bear hugs at the close of the service they were glad we/they came. We are touching lives with the Word of God. One gal was new to the facility, since the last time I was hear. (She is here for therapy.) She acted like she wanted to extend her stay so she would be here the next time I came. Isn't the Word wonderful. We continue to: Strengthen The Saved - Save The Lost.

Glenpool

As I entered these doors this morning I had a new sense of providing safety for the residents. Let me explain. I spoke with a nursing home administrator over the weekend and learned a new dimension in caring for the residents. In some cases there are people (residents) who are being protected or hidden from family, friends, etc. as a result of neglect or abuse. If pictures of these people should appear on the internet, and there location should be discovered, it would not be a good thing. Do to privacy regulations I do not know who these people are. As a result of this new information I have decided to stop taking pictures of the residents unless it has been okayed by the staff. (Not just here but with every nursing home.) I want the safest environment possible for these precious people. I will continue to put out pictures but not of the actual residents.

We did have another wonderful time this morning. As we started to sing, residents came. Hands were raised to our wonderful Lord. Then, we looked into the Word. Last month we looked at, "Why Did Jesus Come?" This month we are looking at, "Why Did Jesus Go?" We looked at the fact that Jesus said, He had to go so He could send the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit could not come until Jesus left. And, we love the Holy Spirit. He is our Comfort and our Guide.