Christian Health Care Center Celebrates its Pastoral Care Staff During Pastoral Care Week

Pastoral Care Week celebrates its 28th year anniversary from October 20 to 26. Organizations around the world recognize the spiritual care given by professional chaplains and pastoral counselors in their communities. Regardless of faith tradition, Pastoral Care Week celebrates those who provide spiritual counseling to others in a variety of specialized settings, including long-term care facilities, hospitals, prisons, hospices, and corporations. Pastoral Care staff at Christian Health Care Center (CHCC) responds to the spiritual needs of the people served through CHCC. The staff consists of ordained clergy, pastors, mental-health counselors, volunteers and student interns.

“We are blessed to have such an outstanding Pastoral Care team at the Center. Their dedication     to minister to those we serve and offer spiritual support is such an important component to the care we provide,” said Douglas A. Struyk, CPA, LNHA, CHCC President and CEO.

“In our ministry, we provide assessments, education, counsel, and care to the residents, patients, clients, and their families,” said Rev. James Knol, LCSW, Pastoral Care Director. “Finally, the team works closely with senior leadership to ensure that CHCC maintains an active sense of Mission toward those in need.”

Additionally, outreach to the neighboring religious community is provided by hosting Clergy Day events, Pastoral Colloquiums, Church Administrators events, Parish Nurse events, and ongoing          support groups for clergy and clergy spouses with the hope that religious professionals can be        strengthened in their ability to pastorally care for their congregants.

Chaplains, pastoral care counselors, and care providers share in this year’s theme, “Prophetic Voice.” To be a prophet is less related to speaking about the future as it is about speaking to the       present. Since ancient times, being a prophet has meant speaking the truths of God to the people of God. This year’s theme invites you to affirm our common voice as caregivers in speaking out truth to those we serve.

CHCC provides a broad continuum of high-quality, compassionate care, offering superior             mental-health, elder-care, residential living, and rehabilitation services. As a non-profit organization, we deliver care to our community based upon the Christian principles on which we were founded more than a century ago.