TRAINING

Building Community with Older Adults

October 9, 2024: Building Community with Older Adults

ENCORE Ministry Foundation and UT Chattanooga School of Nursing hosted an older adult ministry event at Madison Street United Methodist Church in Clarksville, Tennessee. Check back for a link to livestreamed sessions of the event.

Link to livestream sessions

Learn more about upcoming training events

Our Grant Can Further Your Project or Program

If you are thinking about a program or project at your church or in your community that involves older adults, and you are curious about how the ENCORE Ministry Foundation might help, we encourage you to learn more about our grant program.

CONSULTING

Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.

ENCORE Ministry Foundation provides consulting services for local church leaders and older adult ministry leadership teams concerning the needs of older adult ministry. Consultations can be in-person or virtual. ENCORE Ministry Foundation wants to help you to start or revitalize your intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.

ENCORE Ministry Foundation consultations are free. We can meet in person at your church or virtually via Zoom. During the meeting, we will:

Review your church’s existing older adult ministry (if applicable)
Assess your older adult ministry needs
Identify and suggest ways your congregation can reframe aging
Help you develop older adult ministry plans
Share resource ideas and ENCORE Ministry Foundation monetary grants information
Offer program models to help you start and/or sustain intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults

If you want ENCORE Ministry Foundation to meet with you and your team, contact Dr. Richard Gentzler, director of ENCORE Ministry, at rgentzler@encoreministry.org.

FEATURED RESOURCE

Resource Hub for Nursing Home Abuse Awareness and Support

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, about 10 percent of adults aged 65 and older experience some form of elder abuse in a year. Elder Care Advocate is a resource hub for nursing home abuse awareness and support.

Dementia Small-Group Study

This resource is primarily written for older adult ministry leaders and pastors as they develop ministries with those living with dementia and their family/caregivers. Persons in early stages of dementia and their family will also be interested in these sessions. Learn from their insights and invite the group to provide care and support in their journey. The video, scripture study, discussions, and resources will provide you and your group with practical ideas to be in ministry within your local church and community.

VIew Resources

ENCORE Ministry Foundation Connection Newsletter

ENCORE Ministry Foundation's "Connection" newsletter delivers the latest resources, news and updates. Subscribe to receive our monthly newsletter and tour the archive.

Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus: Support Feeding Ministries

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.

Your Support Makes a Difference

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.

Give Now

Food Stock photos by Vecteezy