The Hands and Feet of Jesus in Senior-Care Homes

Shortly after becoming the chaplain at Sherwood Care senior-care home in Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada, I met G.G.[*] She often attended the daily worship service, after which I would greet her and wish her a blessed day.

One day she asked a question that surprised me: “Do you really believe all those things you say up there?”

I replied, “I sure do.” Then I asked her, “Do you believe what I say?”

She said that she didn’t. From that day on, our conversations focused less on theology and more on getting to know each other.

A Change of Heart

As our relationship progressed, she began to share more about her life’s journey. Months later, as I came to understand why she struggled to believe, she said something that moved me: “Pastor, I think God has been speaking to me.”

Intrigued, I wanted to hear more. She explained that she’d been listening to the messages during the services and reflecting on her life experiences, even her time at Sherwood Care.

Then one day, with tears in her eyes, she said, “I talk to God now.”

G.G. had come to sense God speaking to her—not only through the messages but also through the kindness of staff members, the compassion of volunteers, and the spiritual care she received through our conversations.

A Consistent Reflection of God’s Love

She began listening attentively during devotionals and whispering her own prayers when no one else was around. It was not one single sermon that transformed her—it was the consistent reflection of Christ’s love in daily care: the gentle touch of a nurse, the warm smile of a health-care aide, and the hymns sung during worship and other programs.

These moments awakened her heart to God’s presence. In her transformation we were reminded that caring for older adults is more than service; it’s a sacred calling to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

Caring for Elderly Individuals

Throughout Scripture we find rich exhortations about honoring and caring for older adults. From Genesis to Revelation God reveals His tender concern for those who have walked a long way on life’s journey.

In Leviticus 19:32 we are told, “Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord” (NIV). There is a sense that respect for older adults is tied to reverence for God Himself. To honor them is to honor the Creator who sustains them.

Proverbs 23:22 echoes this truth: “Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old” (NIV). And the prophet Isaiah records God’s promise of care in Isaiah 46:4, saying: “Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you” (NIV).

These verses remind us that our brothers and sisters of advanced age are living testaments of God’s faithfulness. Their years are not to be overlooked, but cherished as evidence of divine endurance and grace.

In the Christian Community

In the New Testament this call to care becomes even more relational. The apostle Paul describes the Christian community as an extended family in which every older adult should be treated with tenderness and honor.

He writes in 1 Timothy 5:1, 2, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, . . . older women as mothers . . .”

James defines the essence of true religion, saying, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble” (James 1:27).

If we broaden that principle, it includes all who are vulnerable—especially older adults, whose physical strength and memory may fade but whose worth before God remains eternal.

Other Biblical Examples

Scripture gives us many examples of compassion toward older adults. Ruth showed steadfast love to her mother-in-law, Naomi, leaving her homeland to care for her and provide for their needs (Ruth 1; 2).

Joseph, while he was a ruler in Egypt, cared tenderly for his father, Jacob, bringing him to Egypt to live under his protection and provision (Gen. 47:11, 12). Jesus, even in His final moments on the cross, entrusted the care of His mother, Mary, to His beloved disciple John (John 19:26, 27).

These examples teach us that honoring older adults is not merely a social duty—it’s a reflection of God’s compassion and faithfulness across generations.

Facilities With a Mission

At Sherwood Care—which is part of Adventist Care Canada (ACC), a network of senior-care organizations under the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Canada—this biblical calling finds tangible expression every day.

Our mission, rooted in faith, is to provide compassionate care inspired by Christ’s example. We believe every person bears God’s image. Our vision is to foster a Christ-centered environment in which residents experience love, purpose, and joy through wholistic care that nurtures the body, mind, and spirit.

As we look ahead to the completion of a new facility to double the number of residents we serve, our prayer is that it will be more than just a larger building. We pray that it will be a sanctuary of grace, where every hallway, room, and garden area reminds us that God’s presence dwells wherever love and care abound.

Sharing Christ’s Ministry

Our ministry flourishes through the faithful partnership of those who pray for our residents, families, and staff members; who volunteer their time and presence to bring joy through a smile, a song, or a listening ear; and who give generously to help us grow and build a new facility where every resident receives Christ-centered care.

When we serve in love, we share in the ministry of Christ Himself.

Caring for older adults is more than a social responsibility—it’s a sacred opportunity to reflect the love of Jesus. In every act of tenderness, patience, and compassion, we proclaim that God hasn’t forgotten them.

When we do, we are not merely caring for them—we are revealing the love of Christ Himself.

[*] Initials are used to protect privacy.