“Stand up in the presence of the elderly, and show respect for the aged. Fear your God. I am the LORD!” Leviticus 19:32 (NLT)
RBC has partnered with StandUp Ministries to bring the Gospel and loving-kindness of Jesus Christ to local senior living communities. StandUp Ministries forms and trains volunteer ministry teams from within our church that bring worship, discipleship, and fellowship programming to senior living communities in our area.
WORSHIP
We bring biblical worship services with live preaching, traditional hymns, and prayer led by volunteer chaplains assisted by a team of specially trained volunteers who lovingly support residents, their family members, and staff attending services. God works through these teams to brighten and invigorate both individuals and the communities where they reside. Chaplains also officiate at memorial services, funerals, baptisms, and special events throughout the year.
DISCIPLESHIP
We train volunteers to conduct in-depth studies of God’s Word for the purpose of hosting a senior friendly Bible studies and devotionals. Discipleship events include traditional Bible studies, devotionals, Bible reading, and a rather fun introduction to the Bible called “Bible or Not.”
FELLOWSHIP
Our volunteers supplement the activities curriculum within senior living communities by hosting a variety of gatherings within the community. These may include playing games, arts & crafts, visitations, and hosting family-friendly movie nights.
StandUp Ministries also provides all residents and staff with a premium “senior-friendly Bible” with extra large print. We modify them with external index tabs and page magnifiers allowing residents to quickly find and read a passage of Scripture.
“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Proverbs 16:31 (ESV)
A Narrow Window
• The average senior living stay is 27 months
• 10% had exposure to Biblical Christianity
• 95% no longer have access to a Bible
• Only 5% of communities host worship services
• 90% of senior living residents are cut off from worship communities
Incredible Potential
• 85% of worship service attendees make a decision to follow Jesus
• 30% of a community attends services weekly
• Caregivers of all faiths hear the Gospel as they care for residents
• 80% of senior care facilities would host worship services if made available
OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE
Volunteer teams from Reston Bible Church now serve in 11 different senior living communities between McLean and Leesburg. We have 12 trained volunteer chaplains with a total of 26 volunteers leading 4 Bible studies per month and facilitating 26 worship services per month.
In a season of life when many feel forgotten, we meet the residents we serve with worship, friendship, joy, and the living hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That happens because volunteers show up faithfully, gently, and diligently. StandUp provides all training, equipment and materials for God’s people to serve together as chaplains, Bible study leads, worship assistants, conversation partners, Bible readers, worship techs, game day hosts, crafters, and administrative support.
Please reach out to RBCer Mike Faul at mike.faul@standupministries.org with questions or to express your interest in StandUp Ministries.