In 2018, grant support from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation (formerly the Golden Cross Foundation) funded two tiny homes at The Village at Glencliff, located on the campus of Glencliff United Methodist Church in Nashville. These homes have become a beacon of hope for older adults, people experiencing homelessness, and individuals facing illness.
ENCORE Ministry Foundation offers free resources to church leaders and older adult ministry leaders that help older adults live dignified and grace-filled lives.
In our culture, we tend to think about the here and now — the immediate. Many people are so focused on getting the right job, building a successful career, and taking the next step into retirement. There was a time when people used to think beyond themselves. They thought about future generations — the people who would come after them.
“The pastor just doesn’t understand the needs of older adults like me.” Likewise, “As a pastor, I’m frustrated by the older adults in my congregation who want to maintain control and don’t want make any changes.”
The ENCORE Ministry Foundation and the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, College of Nursing, with additional funding from the Tennessee Department of Health, are embarking on a bold new plan to help make a positive impact on the life of the congregation, older adults, and persons of all ages. Together, we are developing an Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate program (AFCC). The Certificate program is an opportunity for congregational leaders, often lay volunteers, to take classes to learn about intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults. Congregational leaders will be engaged in ways to start, renew, or strengthen older adult ministry. The Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate can be received by taking in-person or online classes.
For older adults, loss can arrive quietly or all at once — the death of a spouse or lifelong friends, declining health, the loss of independence, financial insecurity, or the fading of roles that once gave life structure and meaning. These losses are not merely events; they shape daily life, identity, and hope for the future.
Home health care is often confused with homecare, but they are vastly different. Homecare is non-medical assistance with personal care and activities of daily living in one’s own home. Home health care is short-term, physician-designated medical care designed to prevent or recover from an illness, injury, or hospital stay – usually prescribed after a hospital stay.
ENCORE Ministry Foundation is self-supporting and relies on the gifts of generous donors. We provide – at no cost – resources, leader training, and consulting services for local churches and older adult ministry leaders. ENCORE provides grant funding addressing critical needs facing older adults. Learn More
ENCORE Ministry Foundation (EMF) provides free in-person or virtual consulting services for local church leaders and older adult ministry leadership teams concerning the needs of older adult ministry. EMF wants to help you start or revitalize your intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.
One of our consultants are here to help you or offer a presentation.
Subscribe to receive resources and news from ENCORE Ministry Foundation by email.
"*" indicates required fields
The ENCORE Ministry Foundation provided a grant to First United Methodist in Columbia, Tennessee, to help fund their feeding ministry, the People’s Table. Since 2004, the People’s Table ministry serves meals to neighbors in need every Tuesday evening and Friday afternoon, providing nourishment, love, and hope to the homeless, elderly, families, and individuals struggling to make ends meet. However, the need in the community is growing. With the closure of a local battery plant and reductions in SNAP benefits, more families are facing food insecurity.
Together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, feeding the hungry, caring for the vulnerable, and showing love to those who need it most. Every dollar you give to the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security helps feeding ministries stretch resources and serve more meals to those in need. Donate today and help support life-changing feeding ministries like the People’s Table.
