TLHA Honors “Care of the Soul” Leadership Award Recipients
BELLE PLAINE, MINN. August 12, 2021 — Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA) recognizes the recipients of the “Care of the Soul” Leadership Award. As many ministry accomplishments are due to supporters and volunteers in special ministries, TLHA recognizes their faithful service through its “Care of the Soul” Leadership Award.
The purpose of this award is to recognize individuals who faithfully serve the Lord and provide leadership in special ministries with an emphasis on the following:
- Creating public awareness about these ministries in congregations and among individuals.
- Sharing the Gospel with those populations who are often forgotten.
The leadership award was given to the following recipients:
Elaine Ast [pictured on left] by Pastor Joel Gaertner, Vice President of Ministry and National Director of Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM). For more than 20 years, Elaine has served as a JCM volunteer for a local program in Cedarburg, Wis. In addition to her continued commitment to leading bible studies, she also serves as a guardian for some participants with special needs who attend her programs.
Jill Kirk by Pastor Patrick Feldhus, JCM Coordinator. Jill leads the JCM program at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Bemidji, Minnesota. She found innovative ways to reach individuals in group homes during the pandemic with God’s message of love. Read more on how she worked tirelessly during the long months of the pandemic.
“We are blessed with dedicated and faithful volunteers across our ministry and throughout our Jesus Cares Ministries programs,” said Mark Hayes, President of Ministry. “Recognizing the instrumental work of Elaine and Jill during the pandemic in 2020 shows how God uses us to expand His kingdom and share His message of hope and love through good and challenging times.”
About The Lutheran Home Association
The Lutheran Home Association is a not-for-profit ministry dedicated to providing for the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the people in our care. We offer a wide variety of health care, housing, and spiritual outreach services via campuses in several states and congregational programs serving seniors and individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities nationwide. Services and programs include senior living, skilled nursing care, memory care, disability services, rehabilitative therapies, chaplaincy, Bible classes, worship services, and property management services. Learn more at www.tlha.org, follow @TLHAword on Twitter, and “Like” us on Facebook.