Moving Forward

Moving Forward: Focused on Ministry

President’s Report

Steven R. Jones

September 12, 2006

Many good things are happening at The Baptist Home. By the end of the year we will have completed master plans for each campus. These plans will have identifiable phased in approaches that will help us to meet our goal of providing state-of-the-art facilities. We will be working with the Financial Stewardship and Support Development Committees to develop a plan to fund these objectives.

We have paid the loan from the Baptist Senior Ministries Foundation for outside renovations to the Riggs-Scott building on the Arcadia Valley campus. The renovations are almost complete. We are also making progress on remodeling the Goodwin wing.

We are in the middle of construction for the long awaited 3-bedroom duplexes on the Ozark campus. We have finalized a Partial Return of Capital Agreement for tenets of the duplexes as a new option for Independent Living.

We have replaced the roof on the Chillicothe facility and have made significant progress in addressing the much needed driveway repairs. And due to the generosity of the Clyde and Norma Beck Family we have a new Gazebo which graces the campus.

Karl Snider has reported to you that our expenses are below budget and our income is above budget. So far, due to the fine work of the Administrators and the Chief Financial Officer, we are operating in the black.

Our Development Team is up and running at full speed with Jim Nelson providing the leadership. I am pleased with the progress the team is making as we attempt to develop ongoing and future funds for this ministry. By the way, we are expecting to have an exceptional year with estate gifts.

I am pleased with the progress regarding the legal issues. Most of the significant judgments have been helpful to our position. And although we have far to go, I believe we are making progress through the mire of MBC controversy for which we have struggled for a long time. I appreciate the representation our legal team is providing. Jim Shoemake and Larry Johnson represent us well for which I am most grateful.

Senior Adult Ministries is moving forward. Frank Fain is getting more opportunities to share our ministry here in Missouri and out-of-state. We are expecting a successful Senior Adult Retreat in just a few weeks. This may be a record year for the retreat.

And we are presenting more opportunities to move forward in ministry.

Perhaps you have heard by now information regarding an opportunity to help Belarusian Baptists to have a ministry for the aging in their country. I thank Roger Hatfield for opening our eyes to this opportunity and providing leadership, along with Margaret Woolley and Jim Nelson, which will give a blessing to the Belarusian people and to Missouri Baptists. I have just heard news that a Belarusian has donated $25,500 for the project. And we are grateful the Missouri Baptist Foundation has donated $10,000. We are launching a $500,000 campaign to accomplish this goal. As you know money in Belarus goes a long way and I hope by this time next year the Baptist House of Mercy is serving aged Belarusian Baptists.

And perhaps you have become aware of the new Admissions policy. Let me share with you why a change is needed and some of the reasoning that lies behind it.

We are in need of a new Admissions Policy that will broaden the scope of this ministry, and yet at the same time, preserve our historic Baptist values. One might think the political controversies among Missouri Baptists are what motivated the revisions. However, The Home has been thinking about the admission issue for several years and is trying to stay current with the ebb and flow of changes in retirement living and Baptist life. At the same time we want to provide a Christian, yet distinctively Baptist, ministry.

Not too long ago, applicants had to wait as much as two years or more before having an opportunity for admission. The intentional planning of leadership was and is to become relevant to people’s timing needs for aging services.

The Arcadia Valley facility was purposely downsized for two reasons. A smaller campus is easier to manage and provides a better setting for retirement living. Also the campus originally built in 1923 is in need of updating. A reduced census will enable us to remodel the campus that has sacrificed to help make the others possible.

The whole climate of older adult ministry is changing. We understand these changes. As it should be, people are choosing services closer to home, family, community and church. There are many good aging ministries and services available now. Although, we are committed to add more services as resources become available, TBH is one choice among many. All of this to say, that revising our Admissions Policy was necessary in order to position The Home for future growth and to fulfill the mission God has given us.

The new proposed policy has dropped the age requirement. Historically, the qualifying age for admission is on or after 65 years. This policy allows us more flexibility to provide services to those with special circumstances related to age. Occasionally we have had inquiries from married couples in which a spouse is a few years younger than the qualifying age of the older spouse. Also, we have had requests for admission from an adult child with special needs who is a few years younger than 65 and lives with a qualifying aged parent. Or we may provide services for a younger widow or widower who has interest in retirement living at The Baptist Home.

Applicants who are members of churches historically related to Missouri Baptists will receive certain priorities and considerations for admission to The Home. Those who relate to churches of the Missouri Baptist Convention, Baptist General Convention of Missouri and Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, and new churches and missions related to any of the three organizations, will have access to this ministry.

If space is available, admissions will be extended to those who live out-of-state and to those who have similar evangelical roots and values. Consideration for services will be offered to:

1. Those who are members of churches historically related to Southern Baptists, or

2. Those who are members of evangelical churches who have had a Baptist connection either as a former member of a historically related Southern Baptist church or have a significant caregiver who is a member of a historically related Southern Baptist church, or

3. Those who are members of Baptist churches of like faith and practice, or

4. Those who are members of other evangelical churches who desire to live in a Baptist Retirement Community.

Again, let me say, that while preserving conservative Christian values and Baptist heritage, the new Admissions Policy will position The Baptist Home to grow and fulfill God’s purpose for this ministry. I am excited about the new promises these opportunities will unfold to us. I ask for your prayerful consideration and support of these changes as we endeavor to meet the needs of aging humanity for the cause of Christ.

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