BHHM Articles - Baptist Homes Healthcare Ministries

Seasonal Changes

The change of seasons is marked differently by different people. I know folks who take down Christmas decorations the day after Christmas. Julie and I tend to wait until the end of Christmastide on January 6. I have neighbors whose trees and lights will be up and lit until the first days of spring. While the changing of seasons may be observed differently by people based on tradition, culture, context, and weather, God is always in control. We are reminded of this truth when the prophet Daniel tells King Nebuchadnezzar, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding” (Daniel 2:20-21).

Julie and I planted ten apple trees in the fall of 2017. For fruit trees to express their full potential, they must be pruned. Seasonal pruning allows the tree to focus its growth, thus enabling the branches to receive sunlight that allows them to grow and bear fruit. Ministries also go through seasons of pruning and growth. In 2024, Baptist Homes celebrated the opening of Baptist Homes of Adrian and Baptist Homes of Tri-County (Vandalia). The past year also saw ownership and operations of the Chillicothe campus transfer to Legacy Living. What will 2025 bring? We recently announced the upcoming transfer of ownership and operations of the Independence campus to Prime Healthcare, whose corporate offices are in Independence. We have already seen the assumption of operations and ownership of Baptist Homes of Shelbina. In the coming months, Baptist Homes will celebrate the completion of the Ashland campus and the opening of Smithville.

Unlike fruit trees that are pruned regularly, the changes at Baptist Homes are likely a once in a generation adjustment, with parallel outcomes of bearing fruit. Our mission to joyfully provide Christlike care, education, and advocacy for the aging is unwavering. Our purpose to please God and help others do the same is clear. God, in His grace, has provided this ministry with a board and leadership team that tirelessly seeks to make Christlike ministry the standard of care for the aging.

In February 2019, I stood below the branches of our apple trees. In 18 months, they had tripled in size. While they looked healthy from a distance, most of the growth was inward. While an abundance of second guessing had delayed my getting started, two hours later the apple trees were pruned. Two years later, I ate the first fruits of these efforts. Much like the pruning of trees in the correct season, seasonal changes can be daunting. I am thankful God is in control. Please join me in welcoming our new campuses, and pray for those that are, or will be, under new ownership during this season of change.

Together in His service,

Rodney Harrison

February Neighbor Spotlight: David Smith

This month’s Neighbor Spotlight is David Smith, a valued member of our Baptist Homes of Ozark community.

David was born on January 28, 1932, in Texarkana, Arkansas. After serving four years in the Navy, he attended the University of Arkansas, graduating in 1959 with a degree in business. He began his career at Georgia Pacific working with plywood, before advancing to accounting and eventually becoming vice president of the company’s railroad subsidiary.

On June 6, 1966, David married Verla, now a fellow resident at Baptist Homes. He became a devoted stepfather to her two young sons, and together they later welcomed a daughter. Their family grew to include six grandchildren.

In 2009, David and Verla moved to Ozark to be closer to their daughter. They first lived in the Outback at Baptist Homes before transitioning to the main facility over the past three years.

Faith has always been central to David’s life. He was raised in the church and attended every Sunday. Over the years, he has enjoyed stamp collecting, squirrel hunting, and scouting. These days, he finds joy in puzzles, Bingo, and sharing fellowship with friends.

We are grateful to have David in our community and celebrate his journey of faith, family, and service.

February 2025 Employee Spotlight – Debbie Darling

This month, we are excited to shine the spotlight on Debbie Darling, the dedicated Head of Laundry at Baptist Homes of Shelbina. Debbie has been a key member of the team for nearly 11 years at the facility formerly known as Salt River Community Care Center, which officially became part of the Baptist Homes family just last month.

Debbie’s favorite part of her job is delivering clothes to the residents and having the chance to visit with them individually. “It’s these personal connections that make my role so rewarding, ensuring that each resident feels seen and cared for, even in the smallest of ways,” she explains. Her passion for making these connections is evident, and it’s clear that the residents look forward to her visits just as much as she enjoys making them.

When Debbie isn’t caring for the laundry needs of the facility, she enjoys spending time with her family and indulging in one of her favorite hobbies: horseback riding. Married for 23 years, she is a proud mother of four biological children and two stepchildren.

Looking to the future, Debbie remains committed to her role at Baptist Homes of Shelbina. When asked where she sees herself in three years, she confidently says, “I plan to still be working here in the laundry department.” Her dedication to the facility and its residents is unwavering, and it’s clear she’ll continue to make a difference in the lives of those she serves.

We are grateful to have Debbie as part of our team as we begin this new chapter at Baptist Homes of Shelbina. Her dedication, care, and commitment to both her family and our residents embody the values we hold dear.

Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries Announces Addition of Eight Campus

BAPTIST HOMES & HEALTHCARE MINISTRIES ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF EIGHTH CAMPUS

Jefferson City, MO, January 3, 2025: Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries is pleased to announce the inclusion of the former Salt River Care Center, Shelbina, MO, as the eighth campus of the Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries family. The campus, located in Shelbina on Hwy 36 west of Hannibal, MO and east of Macon, MO, has served the NEMO area for over 50 years. The Shelbina facility provides skilled nursing and memory care on a very nice campus on the northern edge of Shelbina, visible from Hwy 36. Salt River Care Center Board President Jerry Myers says of the transition, “In the summer of 2022, it became apparent to the board of Salt River Nursing Home that a change of operation was needed if SRCC was to remain open. BHHM was contacted not only because they were seeking to expand, but also because their guiding principles closely matched those of SRCC. During this transition, BHHM has been a strong supporter of SRCC through finances, consulting services, and prayers. The other SRCC board members and I have met many times with representatives of BHHM and are convinced that BHHM will continue to provide the highest quality of care that SRCC has been known for during the past 51 years of its existence.”

Alex Edris, executive director of the former Salt River Care Center and now leader of Baptist Homes of Shelbina, says, “This home will continue to serve the unique needs of our elderly population and enhance their quality of life. By fostering stronger connections between families, healthcare providers, and our community, we can create environments where older adults are treated with respect, empowered to live meaningfully, and given the opportunity to age with grace and comfort.” Dr. Rodney Harrison, CEO of BHHM commented, “The quality of care that Salt River Care Center and other not-for-profit nursing homes provide is well recognized by the industry. However, the ability to survive as a stand-alone nursing home in a rural setting is no longer feasible. By uniting with Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries, the campus joins a ministry that has served the needs of seniors in Missouri for 112 years.”

To learn more about Baptist Homes of Shelbina, please contact the campus at 573-588-4175, or aedris@bhhm.org.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement, at 636-375-1331, or rdmackey@bhhm.org

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story part 5

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story Part 5

To this point, we have explored the necessary creation of the Benevolent Fund as the major source of funding for Baptist Homes, enabling The Home to care for those who lacked the resources to cover the cost of that care. As modern nursing care was established for the care of aging seniors in the last half of the 20^th century, a quandary arose for The Baptist Home. In a world where more and more aging seniors were utilizing the federal government as the payor source for their long-term care needs, how long could The Baptist Home survive depending upon donations to cover the ever-increasing cost of care for seniors?

In our last installment, we explored the development of the Benevolent Task Force and the entrance into the world of Medicare and Medicaid services. This entrance was facilitated by the purchase of existing Medicare/Medicaid homes and the discovery that participating in Medicare/Medicaid was possible at our legacy campuses.

At this point, I would like to explore the philosophical issues participating in government funding sources brought to Baptist Homes. When Medicare and Medicaid services were first introduced in 1965, The Baptist Home chose not to participate in this plan as we already had 50+ years of experience in funding care for our residents. There was also a concern that receiving government funds would bring unwanted intrusion and regulations.

Today, nearly 60 years after the creation of Medicare/Medicaid services and the modern, highly regulated world of long-term care, we now are challenged to find a way forward in a world where 84% of seniors use Medicare/Medicaid services to pay for their long-term care costs. In the mid-1990s, the benevolent cost per resident at The Baptist Home was $15,000 annually. By 2022, that cost had ballooned to nearly $60,000 annually. This increased cost brought us to a moment of crisis. Do we stay the course and run the risk of becoming increasingly irrelevant or do we move into the world of government funding where 98% of other long-term care providers served?

Before entering the world of Medicare/Medicaid services, Baptist Homes faced the same regulatory processes as any long-term care provider. Even though we did not receive government funding, we faced the same regulatory processes.

Having entered the world of Medicare/Medicaid services at our Adrian, Vandalia, Arcadia Valley, and soon-to-be Ashland and Shelbina campuses, we have learned several things. First, the engagement process is complicated and time-consuming. Second, the process has brought Baptist Homes into the world of most long-term care providers—before this, we were on the outside looking in. Third, we are now able to offer services to more seniors than we could in the past. Too often, we were saying no due to a lack of private funding for those needing financial support.

Recently, we have learned of a program offered through Medicaid Services which is making it possible to offer care to those needing assisted living who are unable to cover the cost of assisted living care. Medicaid’s Home & Community Based Services provides resources to supplement the cost of care for seniors in their homes or at assisted living campuses such as ours at Arcadia Valley, Adrian, Ashland, Vandalia, and eventually at our Ozark Campus.

This opportunity led our board to transition our Benevolence Task Force to meet these new opportunities. In our next installment, we will explore this new opportunity as a bridge for our donors between the past needs of our ministry and future opportunities.

Next time… explore a new opportunity to remain a blessing to those who need our support.

By Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

January Neighbor Spotlight: Alberta Gilpin

Alberta Gilpin: Building Family Through Service

Born in Columbia, Missouri, Alberta Gilpin’s story is one of steadfast faith, service, and the family bonds she has cultivated along the way. Alberta’s spiritual journey began when she was 12 years old—the same time her parents became Christians and joined a Baptist church. At 15, she came to a personal understanding that salvation was her own choice to make. Guided by her mother’s teaching, Alberta accepted Christ as her personal Savior. This decision has shaped her life ever since.

For 35 years, Alberta served Missouri Baptists through the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), embodying a heart for ministry and service. Her compassion extended globally in 1983, when she sponsored a Romanian family seeking refuge. Over time, they became more than friends—they became her family. Today, Alberta proudly claims kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids from this connection, as well as three cousins she lovingly refers to as her “adopted children.”

Alberta has also dedicated her time and talents to teaching and church ministry. She taught seventh grade writing for one year and served on staff at Parkade Baptist Church for a decade.

Through her faith-filled life and service to others, Alberta has created a legacy of love and connection that continues to impact those around her.

Changing Times, Unchanging Need

For 110 years, gifts to The Baptist Home supported the daily care of men and women whose resources had been exhausted. In the early days, contributions were in the form of chickens, eggs, cows and canned goods. As times and regulations changed, canned goods and eggs were replaced by cash gifts and gifts of cows and chickens were superseded by estate gifts. What did not change over these years were how the funds were used for the daily care of those we served. Over time, these gifts could not keep up with the need.

In the past four years, Baptist Homes has secured Medicare and Medicaid certification at several campuses. These programs are funded through your tax dollars. Medicare covers short-term stays for rehab while Medicaid covers long-term nursing care once one’s resources have been exhausted. So, what does Baptist Homes, a not-for-profit ministry, do with these gifts?

First, your gifts help keep the cost of care reasonable for those we serve. Private pay is still the most common way to pay for long-term care. The average cost of assisted living in Missouri is $4,850 per month. At Baptist Homes, our average is $1,000 less. Skilled nursing in our state averages $310/day for semi-private rooms and $340/day for private rooms. Baptist Homes rates average 20% less. Your gifts help keep Christlike care affordable and accessible.

Next, your gifts support campus improvements, such as upgrading rooms to private restrooms and providing enhanced dining options for residents. In the past four years, significant upgrades have be undertaken through your generosity. Adrian, Arcadia Valley and the soon-to-be-opened campuses at Ashland and Smithville reflect these improvements.

Third, your gifts support the soul care of our residents. Spencer Huston, our Church Relations Specialist, works with pastors, churches and Baptist associations to ensure those we serve have plentiful opportunities to worship, study God’s Word and engage in discipleship and missions.

Finally, your gifts support the Burney Assistance Grants, named after Baptist Home’s third president, John H. Burney, a leader who tirelessly sought to ensure finances were not a barrier to care. These resident grants help bridge the cost of care with the available resources for those needing assisted living or residential care. These grants also assist pastors who may have opted out of Social Security and Medicare and would otherwise not be able to afford Baptist Homes care.

While much has changed, the most important elements of this ministry have not. These include our unwavering commitment to Christlike care, supporting families through education and advocacy, and our purpose to please God and help others do the same.

Your prayers and support make a difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for caring.

Together in His service,

Rodney Harrison

January Employee Spotlight: Chloe Fletcher

Employee Spotlight: Chloe Fletcher – A Heart for Service

Chloe Fletcher, a devoted and compassionate member of the Baptist Homes family, brings warmth and dedication to her role every day. Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Chloe moved to Missouri at the age of 14 when her father relocated for work. Since then, she has made Missouri her home, living close to the community she cares for so deeply. She has been a CNA for two years and finds joy in caring for the aging. She is known for her exceptional work ethic, compassion, and willingness to lend a helping hand. Her love for the residents and her sweet, kind demeanor make her an invaluable part of our team.

Chloe has a variety of interests that bring joy to her life. She loves cats, enjoys cooking, and likes trying new foods—her favorite being sushi. When she’s not at work, she finds relaxation in crocheting and enjoys playing video games in her free time.

Chloe’s faith journey began when she moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she accepted Jesus into her life. She especially treasures the Christmas season, which reflects her love for family, faith, and celebration.

Chloe Fletcher is more than just a dedicated CNA—she is a light to the residents and staff alike, spreading kindness, care, and joy in all she does. Baptist Homes is truly blessed to have Chloe as part of the team.

XA (Christ First)

In 2007, I accepted a new ministry position in my home state of Missouri. I knew it was the right thing to do, but I wished it could have happened a year sooner. But that was not in God’s will.

I started my new ministry in Missouri before my family could move with me from Louisiana. On the morning I left Shreveport to travel to Jefferson City, I did my best just to breathe and not cry as I pulled away from our home. I said a prayer and asked God to protect my family, calm my anxieties, and to show me something to strengthen my faith. God answered my prayer by the time I got to the end of the block.

There was a TEXACO gas station and convenience store just down the street from our home. It hadn’t changed much in the 17 years of living there. In fact, the TEXACO sign on the roof looked the same as it had for several years. Only two of the six letters were lit – the X and the A. As I pondered on that image during my prayer time, it was like a treasure map leading me to the X marking the spot of God’s wisdom.

In the Greek language of Jesus’ day, X and A stand for Chi and Alpha. Chi is the first letter in the word christos from which we get the word Christ. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek alphabet. Put them together and you get Christ first. With encouragement from God’s Spirit, I was reminded of Jesus’ command: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:33-34)

With the glow of the XA in the rearview mirror, I thanked God for speaking to me and for the unexpected initiation into the XA fraternity. It is a memory that God has used on number of different occasions in my life to remind me of my discipleship to Him.

With a new year beginning, what would it mean for you to live XA today? This month? Or this year? If you have room on your list of resolutions for the new year, why not add learning to live XA.

Nick Davis

Director of Advancement

Covering the Cost of Healthcare, Part 2

The costs of long-term care can be staggering for the unprepared. In Missouri, the average cost of skilled nursing care is $311 per day. Assisted living rates average $181 per day. While home care is a preferred option for many, the availability and cost of home care are frequently a barrier. There may come a time when one needs the comfort and assurance that comes with licensed care.

In last month’s column, I shared that Medicare does not cover the cost of long-term care. These expenses must be covered by one’s assets or long-term care insurance (which is carried by less than 4% of seniors). So, what happens when one’s finances are exhausted? Medicaid may be an option.

Missouri residents may qualify for long-term care through Medicaid, but only after most personal funds are exhausted. To qualify, seniors must be 65 or older, be a resident of Missouri, and have assets under $5,909.25. All forms of income must be used toward long-term care, and there is a five-year lookback to ensure that assets have not been diverted. The good news is that Medicaid will cover the “remainder” of Medicaid-certified communities.

Baptist Homes accepts Medicaid at our Adrian, Arcadia Valley, and Vandalia campuses, as well as our Shelbina location, which is currently operated by a consulting agreement. Medicaid can help with assisted living at Arcadia Valley and Ozark, and with residential care at Vandalia.

Planning is important. Early planning gives you more say over where your resources will go as you age. Preparing for the unexpected will ensure your church, family, and charitable interests are maintained. For more information or to set up a consultation with one of our planning experts, contact Dr. Ron Mackey at rdmackey@bhhm.org.

Dr. Rodney Harrison, BHHM President

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story part 4

Baptist Homes Benevolence History – A Complicated Story Part 4

Early in Dr. Harrison’s tenure, The Baptist Home went through a strategic planning process to explore how to position The Home for future sustainability. This process involved professional consultants, trustees, executive staff, campus personnel, pastors, and MBC leadership. In all, over 60 people participated in the strategic planning process. For our purposes, we will explore two of the decisions from the planning process.

The strategic planning process identified, among other important issues, the need to reduce the cost of benevolent care and reposition The Home to a more stable source of revenue. For the preceding 20 years, The Baptist Home had lost census and thus had revenues that did not cover expenses.

The effort to reduce benevolent costs led to an unforeseen issue. Most of those desiring to live at The Baptist Home did not have the personal resources to cover the cost of their care. Bringing in more residents who only added to the benevolent cost of the ministry would be unsustainable. So, how do we move forward?

A Benevolent Task Force was established to investigate the total impact of benevolence on our ministry. The Benevolent Task Force was comprised of trustees, an executive staff member, an administrator, and several campus staff members. This task force was given the following responsibilities:

Set benevolence as a part of the overall budget – 10%.
Track benevolence donations dedicated to the spiritual life of the campuses.
Eliminate benevolence for assisted living.
Benevolent ICF residents should be moved to a BHHM CMS-approved campus.
Develop a Benevolence Committee.

After much prayer and research, Baptist Homes decided to enter the world of Medicare and Medicaid services. Gaining approval to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid services has required a multifaceted approach and the stubbornness of a Missouri mule!

First, acquiring existing Medicare/Medicaid-approved homes would move us into that world very quickly, but at what cost? Second, we learned that none of our legacy campuses (Arcadia Valley, Chillicothe, and Ozark) could be approved in their existing physical condition, since they all had shared bathrooms and current Medicare/Medicaid regulations require private bathrooms.

At some point in the future, we should share this story in greater detail, but for our purposes in this article, I will provide the condensed version. Acquiring existing Medicare/Medicaid campuses could have been a very expensive process were it not for the most difficult healthcare crisis of our era. COVID-19 led to the collapse of hundreds of long-term care facilities across the state of Missouri. We were able to purchase four homes—Smithville, Adrian, and Tri-County—for less than a million dollars. After remodeling and refreshing, these homes added over 200 Medicare/Medicaid-approved licenses to our network.

Additionally, through the stubbornness of our administrator at the Arcadia Valley campus, Dan Stiles, we found a way to be approved for Medicaid at that campus. This process has helped us to understand how to gain that approval for all of our campuses.

In our next issue, we will explore the complicated but necessary road of accepting Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement and a new day and broader ministry opportunity.

Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

Stewardship As We Age: A Journey of Generosity

A Journey of Generosity

In Matthew 2, the Magi are inspired to follow a star. Their journey leads them to a newborn baby who is to be King of the Jews. The journey ends in Bethlehem where they find Jesus. And what do they do when they find him? They are taken to their knees in worship. And as a joyful expression of their worship, they generously present Jesus with gifts.

Unfortunately, we have allowed Christmas to focus on the consumption of gifts rather than the practice of generosity. How can we make Christmas a deeper worshipful experience and the beginning of a lifelong journey of generosity?

Don’t be consumed by consumerism. A friend told me recently with tongue in cheek, “You know it’s Halloween when they start displaying Christmas stuff at Walmart.” It is the lure of hyper-consumerism that drives Christmas today. Guard against allowing the celebration of Christmas to be a frenzied activity of buying things. Make a commitment to celebrate Christmas with a refreshing spirit of generosity.

Grow in the grace of giving. I remember a mission trip I led as a youth minister. Our teens were challenged and inspired by the need of those they were serving. One boy felt God leading him to give a monetary gift to help them. He shared this with some friends, who made the decision to join him in giving their own gifts. From there, they challenged the entire youth group to join them even if it meant sacrificing “fun money”. The youth group gave nearly $1000. In 2 Corinthians 8, the apostle Paul writes, “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving … “. Make this Christmas season an opportunity to grow in the grace of giving.

Learn from those who practice generosity. If you do not know where to begin in the journey of generosity, take time to learn from those who practice generosity—not just as a seasonal venture, but as a consistent spiritual discipline. In becoming a generous person, your actions will teach others to live a life of generosity.

The wisdom of Proverbs 18:16 says, “A gift opens the way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the great.” May your journey of generosity bring you to your knees in worship this Christmas season and beyond, to give and receive the generous love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose birth we celebrate again.

Nick Davis, Director of Advancement