BHHM Articles - Baptist Homes Healthcare Ministries

Activities Directors…Make a Difference!

All long-term care facilities have several departments or areas of work that are necessary for the total care of the residents. Nursing provides for the medical needs. The dietary team is necessary to provide balanced meals for continued good health. Then there are social services, life safety (maintenance), housekeeping and laundry, and the list goes on. A lot goes on behind the scenes to care for our aging adults.

I want to focus in this article on what are usually called “activities directors”. A newer term which is sometimes used for them is “life enrichment directors”. Both terms are good, however “life enrichment” might underscore the real purpose for the role.

Each of our Baptist Homes campuses have an activities/life enrichment staff person. What is unique about this role is that their job is to involve the resident or neighbor in activities each day that enrich their lives spiritually. Our Homes become their home. We offer different choices of activities depending on the physical and mental abilities of the resident. One size fits all is not the way we approach life enrichment.

Some residents are all about walking or some type of physical activity even if it’s done from their chair. Others like games or coloring, maybe even just having someone read to them. Music is a big part of our lives and theirs too. Competition keeps the folks active and is fun for many. Bingo dollars/ activity dollars earned by those participating and redeemed at the campus store are a popular feature.

Our activities directors keep track of who is involved in what activity. They work to involve those who don’t want to participate. A big part of that is walking the halls, knocking on room doors, and remembering that this is their home, and you want them to invite you in. In those visits, our activities directors get to know the residents and what their lives were like before coming to live with us. Those visits build relationships and help tailor activities to meet their life enrichment needs.

One of the distinct differences in Baptist Homes from other long-term care facilities is that our activities directors plan at least one spiritual activity each day. Sometimes it is in the way of Christian music in the background, or a verse a day featured in a prominent place, or it could be a blessing at mealtime. We have regular Bible study opportunities and worship services in all of our homes. Special musical programs from local churches are also encouraged.

Last month, we featured a church that brought vacation Bible school into one of our Homes. Since that time, I have learned of at least 2 more Homes that will be having a church leading VBS in September.

The key to spiritual enrichment in our activities begins with committed activities directors that intentionally plan for spiritual enrichment in a consistent way. Here is where you and your church can help: Contact the Baptist Home nearest you and ask to speak to the life enrichment or activities director. Then ask them how you personally or a group from your church can volunteer to help with worship, Bible study, music, a kid’s program, teens reading to residents–the list is endless.

If you don’t have a Baptist Home near you, do the same outreach to another nursing home in your town. Baptists are known for our commitment to the sanctity of all human life. If we have a home for seniors in our community, we honor God by serving them regardless of the name on the sign out front.

Baptist Homes has been using a theme verse for a long time; “Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails” (Psalm 71:8) . Let it be our intent as churches and individuals to care for folks from conception to natural death. Find a way to include ministry to seniors in care centers and homebound adults as a part of your church’s ongoing ministry.

Spencer Hutson, Church Relations Specialist

Charitable Tax Deductions in 2026 – Part Three

Charitable-giving rules shift in 2026 in ways that change how, when, and what you should give. This month, we continue the focus on charitable tax deductions, explaining what is new and how to plan.

Planning moves for 2026

Bunch to beat the floor: If your giving hovers near 0.5% of AGI, concentrate multiple years of donations into one year to exceed the floor and maximize the deductible amount.
Choose cash vs. assets strategically:
- Non-itemizers: Prioritize cash gifts to claim the $1,000/$2,000 above-the-line benefit.
- Itemizers: Appreciated assets to public charities can still be powerful to avoid capital gains, but remember the new floor and the lower AGI percentage limits that may apply to property.

2026 Charitable Tax Deductions – Q&A

Do small, routine donations still help my taxes if I itemize? Only once your total annual giving exceeds 0.5% of AGI—amounts below that threshold won’t produce an itemized deduction.
Can I claim the new non-itemizer deduction with stock or crypto gifts? No. It’s cash-only to qualified public charities.
Do the 60% limits still apply? Yes, for cash gifts to public charities (itemizers). Other property and organizations have lower limits that still apply.
What if my gift is too large to deduct this year? Excess contributions can generally be carried forward up to five years, subject to the floor when used.

Bottom line: In 2026, the new 0.5% floor and the revived above-the-line deduction will assist many donors. Itemizers should consider bunching and asset selection; non-itemizers should leverage the cash-only above-the-line benefit. Across the board, careful timing, documentation, and matching gift type to tax status will help you give more effectively and tax-efficiently.

Employee Spotlight: Carolann Donnahue

We are pleased to shine this month’s Employee Spotlight on Carolann Donnahue from our Dietary team!

Carolann has been a valued member of the Baptist Homes team for about two years. What she enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to be a part of our residents’ lives and to help meet one of their most important daily needs—nutrition and dietary care. Her dedication to serving our residents helps make their days a little more comfortable and enjoyable.

Carolann’s caring spirit extends beyond her role in Dietary. She also enjoys volunteering with resident activities, where she has another opportunity to connect with residents and make a positive difference.

When she’s not at Baptist Homes, Carolann enjoys spending her free time riding her bike and getting creative with all kinds of crafting projects.

We are grateful for the kindness, dedication, and positive energy Carolann brings to Baptist Homes each day. Thank you, Carolann, for all you do for our residents and for being such an important part of our team!

The Necessity & Value of Barriers

OK, I get it! What a strange title for my article. However, think back to the innumerable stories in scripture where the people of God faced barriers. Abraham and Sarah were destined to be the parents of the people of God and yet, late in life they still had no children. The children of Israel had witnessed a great number of miracles in their journey out of slavery in Egypt, and now as they are leaving, they face the insurmountable Red Sea. Daniel’s friends are commanded to violate their faith or be thrown into Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace. Over and over the journey of faith seems to require encountering barriers, insurmountable odds, delays, and conflicts.

The history of the Baptist Homes is no different. From the early days when the fledgling ministry struggled to put food on the table and at the last-minute word would come that food had arrived at the train station, or someone had hit a deer, and the body was delivered to the Home. And perhaps, one of the darkest moments when the Home was sold on the Iron County Court House steps, only to have the new owner deliver the deed back to the Home with the instructions to start over. Or in more recent history missing the opportunity in 2006 to apply to be grandfathered into Medicare and Medicaid services which has resulted in a multiyear struggle to gain that approval.

When you look back on the history of this ministry it is easy to see some decisions as short sighted – maybe even unwise. But through it all God has delivered on the other side.

The other side – whether it’s the Red Sea or a mad man’s furnace, it takes an incredible amount of faith to follow God’s leadership. Jesus referred to this journey as the “narrow gate”, it is a small gate and a narrow road. But it is a path that “leads to life” (Matthew 7:13-14).

God seems to have Baptist Homes on such a journey in these moments. To stay on the course takes enormous faith and courage. It takes a willingness to struggle, to even admit defeat at times, but most of all it requires the commitment to stay. To stay where God has led, to trust even when the Egyptian army is breathing down your neck and when the flames of a mad man’s furnace are too much to bear.

I have read the words of the second president of the Baptist Home, Dr. D.J. Scott who led The Baptist Home to face bankruptcy and come out on the other side. There is confidence in his words after the bankruptcy. The kind of confidence that doesn’t come from training, experience, or hard work, but the kind of confidence from witnessing something only God can do.

We have the opportunity to see what God can do on the other side as well. To get there we must take the narrow road, to strain our way through the narrow gate. Oh, and we must encounter the crisis head on. The children of Israel had to walk through the Red Sea with water piled up on either side. Daniel’s friends had to experience being thrown into the furnace as well. And on the other side they and we will experience what only “few will find”!

Dr. Ron Mackey, Acting BHHM President

Neighbor Spotlight: Jean Brown

Right Where She Belongs, Home.

Jean Brown was born at home in Gentry County near Albany, Missouri. At the age of seven, she accepted Jesus as her Savior and was later baptized in the Grand River in northwest Missouri. Her faith became the foundation for a lifetime of service alongside her husband, Marlin.

Jean met Marlin while they were attending college in Maryville, and the two were married in 1970. Together they shared 46 wonderful years of marriage before his passing 10 years ago. As a pastor’s wife, Jean faithfully served alongside her husband, building a life centered on faith, family, and ministry. Together they raised one son and are now blessed with two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Coming to Baptist Homes of Ozark was a dream that Jean and Marlin had shared for years. They had planned to move here when the time was right. The very week Jean learned the home she and her husband had lived in for many years was being sold, she received a phone call from Administrator Pam Workman telling her a place was available. Jean recalls being so excited that she screamed with joy.

Today, Jean says she knows she is exactly where she is meant to be. In her own words, “I am truly blessed to be at Baptist Homes of Ozark. It is home and family. This is the ‘bestest’ place ever to live and grow old in.”

We are grateful to have Jean as part of the Baptist Homes family and thankful for the faith, joy, and encouragement she shares with everyone around her.

Charitable Tax Deductions in 2026 – Part Two

Charitable-giving rules shift in 2026 in ways that change how, when, and what you should give. This month, we continue the focus on charitable tax deductions, explaining what is new and how to plan.

What’s New in 2026

Non-Itemizers: In 2026, consider the above-the-line deduction. Single taxpayers can claim up to $1,000, and married filing jointly can claim $2,000 for cash gifts to qualified charities—even if you claim the standard deduction.

Above-the-line deduction for non-itemizers

Amount: Up to $1,000 (single) or $2,000 (MFJ).
Eligible gifts: Cash only, to qualified charitable organizations under IRC §170(c) (e.g., public charities, churches, educational nonprofits).
Not eligible: Donor-advised funds (DAFs), supporting organizations, most private foundations, and non-cash gifts (property, appreciated stock, crypto).

Tips for non-itemizers

Use cash (checks, cards, bank transfers) to qualified public charities to claim the above-the-line amount.
If you normally give appreciated assets or via a DAF, understand those won’t qualify for this specific deduction—though they may still be tax-efficient if you itemize.

Nick Davis, Director of Advancement

VBS at Baptist Homes

Over the years, many churches have been involved in providing a vacation Bible school (VBS) on our Baptist Homes campuses. Baptist Homes is always blessed by this type of partnership with our churches. This year, Sonrise Baptist Church in Bonne Terre, Missouri, who had already been involved doing Thursday Bible studies on occasion, decided to take it up a notch and share VBS with our neighbors.

Pastor Daniel Weyland, his wife Heather, their children, and several other leaders planned to take VBS to the Baptist Home in Ironton. This church loves VBS and it shows in their enthusiasm. They had already completed VBS in their church, and as in most years, had promised their literature and themed decorations to another church in the Mineral Area Baptist Association. When the church showed up to pick up the decorations and literature, Pastor Daniel told them, “We need to keep back some for the VBS at Baptist Home.”

Vacation Bible school was an hour each day from 9:30-10:30. The morning began with the pledges to the American flag, Christian flag, and Bible. Some of you remember “Attention, salute, and pledge!” from your VBS days long ago. So did our neighbors!

The theme Sonrise Baptist Church used this year was “Emerald Crossing” and focused largely on the character of David, a shepherd boy who became a king, and the need to trust God and not be discouraged. One of the children went into the crowd as young David and told the neighbors, “Do not be discouraged, and choose to follow Christ.”

Church volunteer and VBS music leader Darrah Nelson used the “Emerald Crossing“ soundtrack of lively Bible-based songs. She taught the Baptist Home neighbors a new song each day complete with lots of movement! Even though they remained seated, the kids (6-8 of them the day I was there) went into the group and demonstrated the upper body movements, hand signs and words, encouraging participation.

The joy that the children brought our neighbors by just being themselves was amazing to witness. This is Soul Care—care being given by a local church involving all ages.

After Pastor Daniel led the Bible lesson, there was a VBS craft time. Again, the children assisted along with the adult volunteers to help our neighbors with their crafts.

I think the only thing missing was grape Kool-Aid and windmill cookies.

Baptist Homes and Healthcare Ministries welcomes the involvement of our churches, investing in the Soul Care of our neighbors.

Spencer Hutson, Church Relations Specialist

Employee Spotlight: Billy Broyles

Commitment, Compassion, & Kindness

Billy Broyles serves in Housekeeping at Baptist Homes of Shelbina and will celebrate one year with BHHM next month. During his time on campus, Billy has enjoyed getting to know the neighbors, sharing that visiting with them is his favorite part of the job.

Billy has been happily married to his wife, Candace, since July 2, 2005. Together they have one son, Lucas, who graduated this year. Originally from Boonville, Missouri, Billy later moved to Shelbina, where he has proudly called home for the past 20 years. He hopes to continue serving at Baptist Homes until retirement.

When he’s away from work, Billy enjoys attending sporting events, watching demolition derbies, and spending quality time with his family. Whether he’s connecting with neighbors or making memories with loved ones, Billy values the relationships that make life meaningful.

Billy’s friendly personality and commitment to those around him make him a valued member of the Baptist Homes family. We are grateful for the care and kindness he brings to our Shelbina campus each day.

This Is Not Your Grandfather’s Baptist Home

By Spencer Hutson, Church Relations Specialist

Many of you are old enough to remember a General Motors nameplate for a line of mid-range automobiles called Oldsmobiles. That nameplate is long gone from the GM showrooms, but a marketing slogan lives on: “This is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” They were trying to say that this car is something new and stands out from the past. I’m not sure how successful that marketing campaign was, but there is a truth to what was said.

The Baptist Homes of today is not your grandfather’s Baptist Home, or more accurately, The Home for Aged Baptists. We have come a long way from who we were in the early 1900s to who we are today.

There was a time when the local train station in Ironton, Missouri would call up The Home and say, “We have an inmate here for you.” The term inmate was used for those we cared for back in 1913. Someone from The Home would then show up in a Model T and pick up the new resident and their trunk of belongings and head back to The Home. Back then, we relied on the generosity of our churches who brought carloads of canned goods, and our farming efforts and gardens, dairy, chickens, pigs, and cattle, and of course, the local conservation agent that would call when there had been a deer killed on the road.

Many came to us with nothing aside from a few personal belongings. They knew it was a place to call home—a little bit of heaven this side of our eternal home.

Today we have six Baptist Homes across the state. They can serve aged Baptists from all directions in Missouri. However, what has changed is that people now have options and they are taking advantage of those options. They can stay in their own home longer through in-home health services. They more than likely have a senior adult facility close to their home, and many choose that option.

What Baptist Homes has to offer that others might not have is Christlike care for the aging. We are a sanctity of life entity that is tied to the Missouri Baptist Convention and our churches. To many, that is still a value that outweighs proximity to home. As we have said before, we are home.

For the communities and regions of the state where one of our six homes are, many choose us for our location. Having said that, we now have residents—neighbors as we call them—that come to us from other faiths and sometimes no faith backgrounds. Today, the aging population is an evangelistic mission field.

No, Baptist Homes of today is not The Baptist Home that many of us grew up visiting with our church group. Today, Baptist Homes provides the best of quality in care in a wholesome atmosphere. It welcomes residents from the areas we serve, and we provide Christlike care that goes beyond the physical and ministers to the spiritual needs of our residents.

Our churches still visit. They provide worship leadership, Bible studies, and volunteer for activities with our neighbors. This partnership with our churches is part of our Soul Care initiative that seeks to “draw all men unto Him” (John 12:32).

For more information on Baptist Homes, becoming a resident, our campuses, or how to volunteer, you can contact us at 866-454-2709 or go to our website https://bhhm.org.

Charitable Tax Deductions in 2026 – Part One

By Nick Davis, Director of Advancement

Charitable-giving rules shift in 2026 in ways that change how, when, and what you should give. The next three months of Stewardship As We Age will explain what is new, and how to plan.

What’s New in 2026

If you itemize your tax deductions, only the portion of your charitable gifts above 0.5% of your Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) is deductible as an itemized deduction.

How the 0.5% floor works (itemizers): Think of the floor as an insurance deductible. The first 0.5% of AGI in gifts produces no itemized deduction. Amounts above the floor are deductible (then tested against the applicable AGI percentage limits).

Example:

Adjusted Gross Income: $200,000
0.5% floor: $1,000
Cash gifts to public charities: $4,000
Deductible amount before percentage caps: $3,000 ($4,000 − $1,000)
60% limit for cash to public charities: $120,000 (not binding here)

Implication: If your annual giving is typically below the floor, you won’t see a deduction unless you “bunch” gifts so your total clears the threshold in a single year.

NEXT: Neighbors Matter

As I mentioned in a previous article, our strategic principles for the near future are built around the acronym, NEXT – Neighbors Matter, Economic Stability, eXceptional Care, and Team. For the next several editions of this newsletter, I want to focus on each of these strategic principles, beginning with this edition.

Neighbors Matter

In the history of Baptist Homes, we have referred to those we care for in a variety of ways. The original term used to refer to those living at the Home for Aged Baptists was inmate. While this is admittedly an unfortunate moniker, it was the language of the day for elderly living in a healthcare environment. Sometime in the early 1930’s, the term patient came into vogue. This title was soon supplanted by a term that lasted into the 21^st century – resident. I admit this title is the easiest for me to use personally. Recently, under the leadership of our Arcadia Valley campus executive director, Dan Stiles, we have begun using the term neighbor. Neighbor is reflective of a community of people living together. A neighbor is someone with whom you have a relationship.

Who are these neighbors? What are their lives like? Our neighbors live with us in a variety of conditions. Some are independent living neighbors. They live in duplexes or apartments and have the opportunity to be a part of a community of other neighbors who live independently on our campuses. Other neighbors live in one of the healthcare levels that we provide. These include everything from limited healthcare services experienced in residential and assisted living care, to skilled nursing care where services are provided around the clock.

These neighbors come to us from a wide variety of social and economic backgrounds. Some are lifelong residents in a farming community, while others have been urban dwellers who worked in industry or commerce most of their lives. Some come from strong family backgrounds with significant support systems, while others have no family and have lived very singular lives. A few are people of significant financial means, while most live with the concerns of one day running out of their own resources. Some are in relatively good health, while others come to live with us after a significant health issue that has changed their lifestyle permanently.

Regardless of the unique differences for each of these people, it is our responsibility to build an environment conducive to the development of new friendships, new social habits, and ultimately with new neighbors. We do this in a variety of ways. But the core of our ministry to them is to serve them as people created in the image of God, helping the believers to continue to grow in their faith in Christ, and for those who have never come to faith in Christ to create an environment that is conducive to hearing and responding to the life-changing message of salvation in Christ alone.

Neighbors – will that always be the word used to describe those living at Baptist Homes? At some point in history, someone will advocate for a ‘cooler’ title, but for now, I think it is a great reflection of our desire to become the standard of Christlike care for the aging.

In His Grace,

Dr. Ron Mackey, Acting BHHM President

Employee Spotlight: Michelle Parker

Making Every Smile Count

Michelle Parker serves as an LPN at Baptist Homes of Arcadia Valley and has been part of the BHHM family for the past 10 months. In her role, Michelle is passionate about caring for others and creating meaningful connections with the neighbors she serves each day.

When asked about her favorite part of the job, Michelle’s answer comes straight from the heart. “Seeing our residents smile makes my day! Also, if I am able to give a hug to a neighbor and hear them say they needed that, it is music to my ears because I know I needed it as well as they did.” For Michelle, the simple moments of compassion and connection are what make her work so rewarding.

Michelle is the proud mother of one daughter and grandmother to two grandsons. Spending time with her family is one of her greatest joys, and she loves making memories with her grandsons whenever she can.

Outside of work, Michelle enjoys snuggling with her pit bull, Karma, and bringing smiles to as many people as possible. She also loves riding horses and motorcycles, embracing both adventure and the outdoors.

Michelle’s caring spirit, positive attitude, and genuine love for others make a lasting impact on the neighbors and team members around her. We are grateful to have her as part of the Baptist Homes family and thankful for the kindness and encouragement she shares each day.