When I think about Heart2Heart Outreach, several Bible verses come to mind. One that often stands out is:
“Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly, and revere your God. I am the Lord.” – Leviticus 19:32
But as I sat down to write this month’s blog, another verse resonated with me in a deeply personal way:
“The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” – Matthew 9:37
This verse is a call to action. It reminds us that there are countless people ready to receive God’s love and truth, but not enough willing to step up and share it. And in many ways, this applies so well to senior ministry.
The Overlooked Ministry
I’ve often heard senior ministry described—by myself and others—as a ministry that isn’t always at the forefront of outreach. Why? Because it requires peeling back layers that many aren’t sure how to navigate.
For one, there’s the reality of out of sight, out of mind. Even in my church, I notice how older members tend to sit together. If someone is missing, I may not always think to check in. It’s not intentional neglect, but it happens.
Then, there’s the generational gap. Many churches prioritize reaching younger generations, ensuring they are discipled early in life. While this is important, it can sometimes leave our seniors overlooked—despite the deep spiritual questions they wrestle with, especially as they approach the later stages of life.
A Divine Appointment
The other day, I had a simple yet profound encounter that reaffirmed the urgency of this ministry.
In my neighborhood, there’s an older woman—probably in her 70s—who speeds through the streets, ignoring every speed bump. Everyone has noticed, and we’ve all wondered how to approach her.
One day, I felt prompted to gently flag her down and ask, “Is everything okay?”
She looked at me with sad eyes and admitted that she rushes to church every morning, but if she’s late—which happens often—she gets scolded by her clergy.
At that moment, I saw an open door. I don’t always get the chance to verbally share my faith because I believe in preaching the Gospel through actions first.But here, she mentioned God. She mentioned church. Yet, she knew more about performance than about grace.
So, I reminded her:
“The God of the Bible is a God of grace. He cares far more about you loving your neighbors—and them loving you back—than what time you get to church in the morning.”
She paused, processing those words, and seemed almost burdened with the thought of applying that. She said, “You’re right. Thank you.”
The Call to Action
This is why Heart2Heart Outreach exists.
The truth is the harvest is plentiful. And if you want to see it firsthand, I invite you to serve with us. The older generation is incredibly receptive to hearing about a God of grace. Many are searching for peace, for hope, and assurance.
The question is—will we be the laborers who step up?
To learn more about Heart2Heart Outreach, please visit our website: Heart2heartoutreach.org
Become a Heart2Heart Volunteer and bring joy to seniors.
