Champion Your Health
April 1, 2026
While many people hope they are financially secure for a long, good life and having lived to a ripe old age, are we equally concerned about a healthy old age?
While many people hope they are financially secure for a long, good life and having lived to a ripe old age, are we equally concerned about a healthy old age?
Elder’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Smyrna is among 20 churches across Tennessee receiving a $5,000 Food Security Grant from ENCORE Ministry Foundation. The funding is part of a $100,000 initiative aimed at helping churches expand food programs for seniors impacted by rising costs and cuts to SNAP benefits.
In the quiet bend of the highway through Hickman County, Tennessee, the community of Nunnelly carries its history close. Named for a family who settled there in the early 1800s, their generosity shaped the town. In 1924, they gave land for a school; in 1939, land for a church — Nunnelly United Methodist Church — which still stands today.
For more than 120 years, Elders Chapel United Methodist Church has stood at the heart of a small but rapidly growing community about 20 miles south of Nashville, Tennessee. What began as a historically African American congregation has grown into a vibrant multicultural church that reflects the changing neighborhood around it.
In the heart of rural Tennessee, the small congregation of Centertown United Methodist Church has long been a beacon of hope for its community. With only 70 to 80 people attending Sunday services, many might underestimate the reach of this church—but the impact of its food ministry is anything but small.
In a town of only a few hundred residents, Kirksey United Methodist Church demonstrates that impact is not measured by size. Through steady commitment and careful stewardship, this small congregation strengthens food security—one breakfast, one basket, and one neighbor at a time.
SMYRNA, Tenn. (WSMV) – After January’s ice storm left some families without power for days, many Middle Tennessee residents are still feeling the financial fallout.
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga College of Nursing is partnering with ENCORE Ministry Foundation to launch a new Age-Friendly Congregation Certificate program designed to help faith communities and individuals better support older adults through intentional, practical action.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (February 3, 2026) — ENCORE Ministry Foundation (ENCORE), a nonprofit organization focused on ministry by, for, and with older adults in Christian communities, announced today the recipients of its Food Security Grant, a funding initiative made possible through the generosity of individuals and churches, McKendree Village Foundation, as well as ENCORE’s Kent and Ellen McNish Grant for Older Adult Food Security Endowment Fund. The program awarded $100,000 in food security grants to 20 churches to strengthen food distribution ministries serving older adults across their communities.
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.
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.