Intentional Older Adult Ministry Network
January 7, 2026
Are you committed to older adult ministry in your church? If so, here are a few questions for you to ponder: Is there an unmet need
Are you committed to older adult ministry in your church? If so, here are a few questions for you to ponder: Is there an unmet need
As the holiday season draws near, the world seems to sparkle with joy—twinkling lights, cheerful music, and warm gatherings. Yet for many older adults, the season can feel quiet, cold, and deeply lonely. Loved ones may live far away, traditions may have faded, and the empty chair at the holiday table can speak louder than carols on the radio.
The Trump Administration announced yesterday a major restructuring of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that includes massive staff cuts and the elimination of the Administration for Community Living (ACL). ACL is the only federal agency exclusively focused on supporting older people and people with disabilities.
A home sharing program in Nashville provides a way for seniors to age in place and supplement their income while also providing companionship and affordable housing for young professionals. Three years ago, several organizations providing programs and services for seniors approached Metro Nashville officials about the growing housing cost burdens for seniors — the fastest growing population in Davidson County — and asked for help launching a home sharing model.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and United States Postal Inspection Services (USPIS) issued a public service announcement that check fraud is increasing. Scammers are
In 2022, grant support from the ENCORE Ministry Foundation helped fund rebuilding four destroyed or flood-damaged homes owned by senior adults in Waverly, Tennessee. Appalachia Service Project, a Christian ministry that provides critical home repair and replacement in central Appalachia, oversaw the work.
Mary McDaniel Cail outlines eight essential steps to help your church create an effective group for those caring for loved ones with dementia.
Rebranding EMF is one powerful strategy implemented to refresh our purpose, engage new supporters, and clarify our message. This article explores some of the key considerations involved.
Observed on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day provides an opportunity for church leaders and congregations to promote dialogue and action on the issues of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Since its inception in 2013, ENCORE Ministry has awarded more than $1 million in grants to 130 congregations and organizations in the TWK Conference. Grant money has helped fund a variety of projects benefitting older adults throughout the conference.
It’s no surprise that John Rivas’s love for his own family and his desire to help other families plan their financial legacies are two of the three most important aspects of his life. The third may be unexpected.
Honoring Kent McNish’s service as ENCORE Ministry’s founding executive director, the Kent McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security was established.
Firefighter/Paramedic Scott Brotherton and Lieutenant/AEMT Daron Standifird from the Nolensville Fire Department trained Ebenezer UMC members on how to perform CPR and correctly use a defibrillator. Part of the defibrillator cost was offset by an Older Adult Community Service grant from ENCORE Ministry.
Money from an ENCORE Ministry grant was used to transform two small restrooms and an unused Sunday school classroom into an updated and accessible family restroom.
Watch older adult ministry training event held on October 26, 2023. Downloadable resource also available.
ENCORE Ministry names John Rivas Its incoming Executive Director. He succeeds Kent McNish, the ministry’s founding executive director, who will retire at the end of 2023.
Ageism can shorten a lifespan by 7.5 years, according to a 2002 study by Becca Levy. Individuals with a more positive self-perception of aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions.
ENCORE Ministry grant helps rebuild four homes for low-Income senior adults in Waverly, Tennessee.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day raises awareness of cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
ENCORE Ministry grant helps make Beersheba Springs Assembly personal retreat lodging more accessible for older adults and guests with mobility issues.
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.