"Love Notes" Newsletter

Faithful Friends
Nursing Home Ministry

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Patrick Ballard's Nursing Home Ministry

Here is a small summary of the Rest Home/Nursing Home/Assisted Living Center Ministry I have conducted for the past 11 years, 5 years Regularly, and the past three years Full Time.

I was called to preach the Gospel actually as I drove past an area Nursing Home. Regardless of what Ministry I attempted while studying in Seminary, I always felt called back to Nursing Home and Rest Home Ministry. Brother Larry Swift issued a call for Volunteers which was unanswered for 3 months. I approached Larry with the assumption He probably had all the Volunteers he needed.

I was surprised to find that no one else had responded. My first experience was with my friend and prayer partner Dean Glacken. We would visit the facility from room to room, offering to read scripture, pray, or sing a song. I play Guitar, Banjo, Harmonica, Piano, Bass, Mandolin, Fiddle, so we had a wonderful Ministry, which eventually led Dean to become a Chaplain for Hospice.

Today the Ministry presently encompasses Three counties and Eight different facilities. These include Autumn Care, Rest Haven, Lane Wing, Arbor Terrace, Laurels, Ashville Manor, Brian Center, and Park Ridge Living Center.

I endeavor to take a church service to the residents with a prayer service, Music Ministry of 20-30 Minutes, and a Gospel Message of Salvation, Hope, and Encouragement.

We then end the service with a closing prayer and a time of fellowship in which we give out large print tracts, which are supplied by The Gospel Tract Society in Independence, MO and Old Paths Tract Society in Shoals, IN. In the past two years We've been blessed to see at least four people come to know Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour. Please become a part of this Ministry by adding us to your prayer list as a daily object. A most recent blessing I received was when a dear Brother who recently lost his wife to a fatal stroke told me he wasn't doing well at all. When I requested prayer at my church, the very next service, Brother George had a smile on his face!

On Oct 1, 2000 Patrick was married to Marcia Stott in Hendersonville, NC at the Maranatha Baptist Church. He now has a new help mate in this ministry!

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this Ministry, I'd love to hear from you. I can be contacted at P.0. BOX 12, Flat Rock , NC 28731.

Patrick R. Ballard
Isaiah 38:20