The Adventist Health System Midwest Region (AHSMR) Department of Ministries and Mission is made up of a team of Christian professionals committed to providing the healing ministry of compassionate care to patients, staff, and associated families. Team members seek to provide emotional and spiritual nurture, always being sensitive to the traditions and beliefs of those served and ensuring on-going access to the clergy of all patients. The department collaborates with hospital physicians and staff in support of holistic care and to facilitate the spiritual dimension of health care.
In addition, the department’s mission is to act as a bridge between the churches and communities served. A recent church planting is a demonstration of that commitment.
Chaplains helped start a new Seventh-day Adventist company of believers in Elk Grove Village, Ill. The company was formally organized by the Illinois Conference on Feb. 8, 2003. Hospital leaders—including La Grange Memorial Hospital CEO Tim Cook and Jonathan Leach, ministries and mission regional director—have preached at services. Chaplains Ron Yabut, Edgar Urbina, Branislav Dedic, and Sam Hope also preach at the 56-member company.
Through this new Elk Grove Village Company, Adventist Health System Midwest Region is seeing community outreach developing throughout Chicago’s western suburbs. The first new members were baptized on Sept. 20, 2003, at the Hinsdale Adventist Church and welcomed into the newly organized Elk Grove Village Company fellowship.
This new group of believers is already active in the community. Their mission outreach has included providing gifts to 255 residents of Lexington Healthcare in La Grange, Ill. A friend of one of the recipients wrote to thank the members for their generosity. “She lives in a vacuum and welcomes visitors, as she has few. Thank you for remembering her at Christmastime.”
Another outreach project involved hosting a themed party for the residents of Burgess Square nursing center in Westmont. In March, members of the Elk Grove Village Company provided Yugoslavian foods—meats, pasta, and soup—for more than 100 residents and staff members. The social activities director of Burgess Square commented, “It was a pleasure to taste all the wonderful food, and our residents enjoyed your presentation on the art and music of Yugoslavia.”
According to Chaplain Dedic, the new company is planning its third outreach to residents of Briar Place nursing home in Indian Head Park, Ill. Members are collecting new and good used clothing for needy residents.
Lynn Larson, Adventist Health System Midwest Region Lake Union Herald correspondent
