This summer, First Baptist Church Statesboro, Georgia, will celebrate 40 years of caring for members through its church nursing ministry. Initially staffed by a part-time nurse in July 1985 supported by love offerings, it became a full-time budgeted ministry in 1997.
The ministry provides members health-related services and spiritual help, said lead pastor John Waters. “It represents a priority of ministry particularly to our elderly members, but it also serves all the church family,” Waters said. “It’s a supplement to some of the care members are getting from their healthcare providers, but gives a point of connection with our church.”
Ministry focus
Led by Jordan Mathis, the ministry provides residential visits for basic physical assessment and home safety, medication management, chronic illness education, and care coordination including a transport ministry.
“I’m just thankful to serve the church in this way. It is really cool,” Mathis said.
Born and raised in Statesboro and a registered nurse since 2013, Mathis is the third person to lead the ministry. She said it’s a way to reach members who fall through the cracks. “We want to be there for them in their time of need. It’s definitely coming from a ministry standpoint rather than just, ‘Hey, I am here to give you a shot’ or ‘I’m here to take your blood pressure.’”
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EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Jason Queen and originally published by the Christian Index.
