Testimonies
I wanted to express how God put Crossroads Ministries (and serving at Care Centers) in my heart years ago. It was around 2013 I met Kay Owen-Larson, owner and President of Crossroads Ministries, at a Church we were both attending. I quickly found out about Crossroads Ministries through mutual friends. At the time, I had just finished Bible college and was looking for next steps in my life. After hearing how Crossroads Ministries focused on ministering to those in Care Centers, I immediately had a connection in my heart with them.
When I was younger, early 20s, my Wife’s family had several heartbreaking experiences. Her grandmother ended up in a Care Center because of dementia, her mother slowly declined in health because of lung cancer, and her grandfather needed help in the evenings as his health declined. Her mom ended up in Hospice before passing away, but I spent a couple of years taking care of her as I could. All these experiences are not something anyone wants to go through, but it did expose me to the great need residents have for love and companionship. When I came to know Kay and the amazing opportunities volunteers had to go in and love/encourage the residents in these Centers, I knew it was something I would like to do. Unfortunately, at the time, I had a calling to go minister in the UK and as doors opened for that, I thought maybe there would be a different time to serve at Crossroads.
Fast forward 7 years, and after serving in the UK and living in different parts of the US, I found myself back in Colorado Springs. It was in 2022 that I reached out to Kay again to see if I could start volunteering. That began a journey I am still on today. For the past few years,most of my focus has been providing Church services at multiple Care Centers across Colorado Springs and meeting 1-on-1 with residents. I cannot tell you how open their hearts are to anyone who will visit them. Over 80% of residents have no one regularly visit them. I pray you understand what this could be like. Often, the residents share a small room with another resident. Many are facing health issues that are terminal and the only entertainment they have is a TV/radio. You would be amazed at the joy these residents have when you come in and have a tea time with them, a visitation, a Bible Study, a Church service, a makeup time or any other activity you can think of that just gives them an opportunity to live life in some way or another that has them looking forward to the next visit.
Aren’t we all like that? Don’t we all fill our lives with activities with family and friends? As I continue to volunteer at multiple Care Centers each month, I now attend the Chaplaincy school at Crossroads and am halfway to graduating as a licensed Chaplain. Let me encourage you today to think about how your life could bring so much joy to another person. Whether you can volunteer, or just give to Crossroads Ministries, so we can continue to do things like tea times and Operation Golden Christmas, please search your hearts on how you can impact residents in long term care today. You never know, you might find you want to be a Chaplain as well. God Bless you! -Stephen S.