Community Stories

August 16, 2023

Church Volunteers Bring a “Beach” Baptism to a Nursing Home

Fifteen people were baptized at Seaview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center last month — a number that surprised even the volunteers who organized the event. 

“They were so excited to get baptized. The joy in that room was overwhelming,” said volunteer Jeanette Kerr. “It was such a move of God in that place.”

The enthusiasm all started with a man named Robbie. 

Meeting Robbie 

Jeanette first started visiting Seaview through Heart2Heart a couple of months ago. The Seaview activities director requested volunteers to lead either a weekly Bible study or a craft. 

As a lay minister with Christian Life Center in Coral Springs, Jeanette knew a Bible study was more up her alley. 

She spent her first weekly visit talking with the residents and praying with them. Residents at Seaview need full-time medical care and are often confined to a bed or a wheelchair. 

One resident in particular stood out: Robbie. 

Robbie is younger than many of the residents. He suffered a head injury as a young man when he went through the windshield of a car in a very bad crash. 

Though speech is harder for him, Robbie always makes sure people know two things when they talk to him. 

No. 1: How much he loves Jesus. 

No. 2: How important it is to wear your seatbelt. 

As soon as he found out that she was a lay minister, Robbie’s roommate told Jeanette how much Robbie wanted to be baptized. 

Jeanette’s church leads beach baptisms once every few months on Fort Lauderdale beach. She knew that bringing the Seaview residents to the beach would not be feasible. 

But she had to figure out how to get Robbie baptized. 

“I felt God putting it on my heart. I was not going to tell Robbie: ‘No we can’t do it, because you need to come to the beach,’” she said. “That’s not how God operates.” 

Bringing the Baptisms Indoors

Jeanette prayed about it and then spoke to her pastor, who agreed with the importance of offering baptisms at Seaview. 

During one weekly meeting, Jeanette and other volunteers from the church explained the gospel and how baptism represented a public declaration of a new life in Jesus. 

Fifteen people signed up to be baptized the next week. 

On July 19, each person was called up by name. One woman who was confined to her bed insisted on getting baptized. She was wheeled out of her room to participate. 

Each person was given the opportunity to declare their faith in Jesus. Then they were baptized with a sprinkling of water.

Volunteer Paula Esenwa prayed over them, and Jeanette spoke with each person individually. 

“The main thing I wanted them to know was that God loves them. He knows them. He sees them. And they’re not forgotten about,” Jeanette said. “It was a wonderful experience, and it was all God.” 

When the Christian Life Center volunteers came the next week, they brought Bibles and spent time reading scripture with the residents. 

Robbie wanted to read Psalm 23. He read the whole chapter out loud. 

Inspiring More Baptisms

Unfortunately, volunteers haven’t been able to visit Seaview since July due to a Covid-19 outbreak in the facility. When they’re able to return, they plan to bring certificates to the residents who got baptized and offer them communion. 

Plus, they want to offer the chance to get baptized to residents who were confined to their room. 

“We don’t want to stop what God is doing,” Jeanette said. 

The baptism at Seaview has inspired Christian Life Center’s Fort Lauderdale campus. Churchgoers there never considered offering water baptisms as part of their existing nursing home and prison ministries. 

“Now they’re thinking, ‘We need to do this,’” Jeanette said. 

Jeanette said her church would love to offer a Bible study in other nursing homes or care centers. 

“If they’re willing, we would be absolutely thrilled,” she said. 
Learn more about leading Bible studies in care centers.

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

August 16, 2023

Join the Team!

Becoming a Heart2Heart volunteer means that you are dedicated to serving the aging community. It means you want to connect in a meaningful way to a specific individual or to several people. It means you are committed to a consistent amount of time per month – whether that’s several hours a week or just a few hours per month.

Heart2Heart volunteers must be background checked and trained. Our training can be completed from your home on your computer or device, through the online Volunteer Portal. We run fingerprints in our office in Fort Lauderdale, and you can schedule an appointment with us after you finish the training.

The first step is to create an account on our Volunteer Portal. To get started, click here!

Read more …

A Day of Joy and Connection at Villa Rio Vista Care Center

A Day of Joy and Connection at Villa Rio Vista Care Center

In the month of June, laughter echoed through the halls of Villa Rio Vista Care Center as volunteers from Church by the Glades and VOUS Church brought joy, faith, and connection to residents through Bingo, painting, and heartfelt moments. Their visit was a beautiful reminder of the power of showing up—and how small acts of love can leave a lasting impact.

Read the full story here:

https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/a-day-of-joy-and-connection-at-villa-rio-vista-care-center/?_thumbnail_id=32239

1Name Church Brings Light and Love to Seniors at Life Care Center at Inverrary

1Name Church Brings Light and Love to Seniors at Life Care Center at Inverrary

This month’s Community Story highlights the heartfelt outreach of 1Name Church at the Life Care Center at Inverrary. What began as a simple visit turned into a powerful moment of connection—filled with music, prayer, and joy. Residents who were once hesitant soon joined in song and accepted Bibles with open hearts. Through their love in action, 1Name Church reminded everyone that hope, faith, and fellowship are gifts that change lives.

Read the full story to see how committed volunteers and church partners are bringing light into the lives of our seniors.

https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/1name-church-brings-light-and-love-to-seniors-at-life-care-center-at-inverrary/

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

Faith in Action: Lauderhill SDA Church Brings Heart to Senior Communities

On March 15th, members of Lauderhill Seventh-Day Adventist Church and their families brought joy, creativity, and compassion to seniors at Active Senior Living and Fort Lauderdale Health and Rehab.

Through wreath-making, songs, and a Bible-based skit, they reminded residents that they are seen, loved, and never alone.

This powerful day of connection beautifully reflects Heart2Heart’s mission to restore dignity and hope to isolated seniors—one loving act at a time.

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors-2/

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

Hearts United: Spreading Joy & Love to Seniors

On February 22nd, Heart2Heart partnered with Parkridge Church and Community Christian Church to bring warmth and companionship to seniors across eight care facilities in Broward County.

Volunteers filled the day with heartfelt conversations, games, and meaningful connections, replacing loneliness with joy and belonging.

One resident, Mary, shared through happy tears, “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time. It feels good to know someone cares.”

Read the story:
https://heart2heartoutreach.org/community-stories/hearts-united-spreading-joy-love-to-seniors/