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Baptist Aging Ministry Awards Grant to Jacksonville Church

Baptist Aging Ministry Awards Grant to
Jacksonville Church

April 23, 2009

The North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (NCBAM) has awarded its first grant to aid Jacksonville-based Brookwood Baptist Church’s expanding ministry to senior adults. Leadership of the recently established NCBAM considers it a priority to assist a church’s efforts to develop new programs and outreach to the aging. The grant was presented recently at the headquarters of the Baptist State Convention in Cary by Baptist Children’s Homes President Michael C. Blackwell and Milton A. Hollifield, Jr, Executive Director-Treasurer of the Convention.

“We are excited about Brookwood Baptist Church’s enthusiasm and focus to grow its ministry and provide new programs to the aging population,” Blackwell said. “We want to be a part of their expansion efforts. The church’s intentions are directly in-line with the mission of NCBAM.”

NCBAM, located in Thomasville, but with a state-wide outreach, seeks to aid aging adults in maintaining their independence and quality of life. The ministry focuses on providing information and referrals, on connecting the aging and their families with resources to meet needs, and on coordinating practical ministries. This includes aiding North Carolina Baptist churches, such as Brookwood, and NC Baptist associations in developing ministries to benefit the aging. A rigorous application and screening process is part of the grant process.

For more than 15 years, Brookwood has served senior adults in the Jacksonville community. Church members voted in January to target its senior adult ministries for expansion.

“We are very excited about the partnership with NCBAM,” said Brookwood Baptist Church senior pastor David Gasperson. “We wish to develop new programs that will address unmet needs of seniors, or readdress the way we currently meet needs, that exhibits God’s love.”

Brookwood Baptist will use grant funds to create outreach for senior adults through its new program named “Senior-versity.” Senior-versity will offer classes and service opportunities for aging adults across Onslow County. Classes include short-term academic, crafts, gardening, biblical study, health and fitness and a variety of other activities. Through the new program, the church will partner with NCBAM and hopes to work in tandem with the New River Baptist Association in Jacksonville and other area churches to expand the outreach.

“We believe there is a need to create additional programs for senior adults and for them to be able to enjoy activities together,” Gasperson said. “Senior-versity is a concept that will allow us to accomplish these goals and provide partnership opportunities with other churches in our Baptist association as well as other organizations.”

The church continues to seek creative ways to serve seniors and enhance its ministry. This summer, the church is working cooperatively with the music department at East Carolina University to conduct a 16-week research study. As many as 70 area seniors will study a musical instrument to research the effect of music training on the aging.

“The keys are addressing needs by implementing dynamic ideas and programs and then partnering with churches and organizations to undertake and enhance their own ministries,” Blackwell said. “If NCBAM can undergird more churches, such as Brookwood Baptist, we can begin building a statewide network to support and meet the needs of the aging population.”

NCBAM’s leadership is focused on efforts to expand its network of ministry. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina’s executive director-treasurer Milton A. Hollifield, Jr. believes Brookwood Baptist Church is the right place to begin.

“We are grateful for the partnership between Brookwood Baptist Church and the ministry of the North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry. Pastor David Gasperson and the entire congregation possess a passion and resolve to serve senior adults in need,” Hollifield said. “This grant is a compassionate provision from the churches of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and is given in gratitude for all that this congregation has done and will do to advance senior adult ministry in the years to come.”

The North Carolina Baptist Aging Ministry (www.ncbam.org) is operated by Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH) and totally funded by the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. BCH oversees this non-residential ministry to the aging in addition to its statewide residential care services for children and developmentally disabled adults.

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