BHHM Articles

Employee Spotlight: Shanna Swatosh

Making Waves in Resident’s Hearts

This month, we’re excited to feature Shanna Swatosh, who serves in our Environmental Services Department at our Adrian campus.

Shanna has been a part of the BHHM family for one year. When asked what she enjoys most about her work, she shared without hesitation: “The residents.”

Outside of work, Shanna’s world is filled with family—she is the proud mom of six children and grandmother to four grandchildren. She enjoys spending time in or around water, whether it’s swimming, canoeing, or any water-related activity.

She also loves reading and watching her kids and grandkids in their activities.

We are grateful for Shanna’s hard work and the joy she brings to both residents and coworkers alike!

Remember This

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

I am often asked by colleagues in the philanthropy field, “What has been your largest gift?” or “What are the characteristics of your most significant donors?”  My reply is always the same: the gift was never the focus, and the chief characteristic was that of being a good steward.

To my knowledge, none of our most significant gifts have come after the capacity to make a large gift was accomplished. In fact, the vast majority made a commitment to be good stewards when they had very little and often questioned whether their gift would make much of a difference.

It was at this crucial beginning point that God’s blessing of their commitment began to occur. Sometimes it’s wise investing in financial products, other times it’s a remarkable increase in the value of property or some other tangible asset. There is a correlation between the growth of that asset and the faithfulness of their stewardship.

Our donors remind me so much of the advice given by the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:26, “Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.”  Very few of our donors are among the wealthy and powerful. They are, in fact, simple, quiet, humble people of modest means—but people through whom God has made a tremendous difference for this ministry.

So, as you consider your own path of stewardship, please don’t focus on how you can make a large impact. Simply follow God’s path of stewardship clearly laid out in scripture. The blessings of the fruit of your stewardship will produce a harvest unimaginable at this point in your life!

 

By Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

Neighbor Spotlight: Juanita Hatch

A Life of Faith, Service, & Joy

Born in her family’s home in Kirkwood, Missouri on March 11, 1926, Juanita Hatch was the fifth of nine children. From a young age, she was taught the value of faith, family, and hard work, principles that would shape her remarkable life.

In 1952, Juanita married BT Hatch, a devoted railroad worker. Together, they built a life rooted in love, raising two sons. That legacy has since grown to include five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, each one a source of pride and joy.

Juanita’s path of service began early. She spent a year working at the Baptist Home for Children in Royal Oak, Michigan, before embarking on a long and fulfilling career as a kindergarten and first-grade teacher. She retired at age 55, but her love for learning and teaching never left her. She began teaching Sunday school around the age of 20 and only recently stepped down, at 99 years old! The pastor at her church in Ozark jokingly calls her the oldest Sunday school teacher in the state. Juanita humbly laughs and says, “There’s no way he can know that for sure.”

Education was important to Juanita. She studied at William Jewell College and went on to earn her master’s degree from Baylor University. But her greatest education, she says, came through her faith. She gave her life to Jesus during a revival at just nine years old, sitting beside her mother. Since then, she has lived a life of unwavering devotion.

Now a cherished resident at Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries, Juanita says she’s known since the age of 3 that “The Baptist Home was the place to go.” What stood out to her then, and still today, is how everyone is treated equally. Her favorite part of living here is getting to know others and learning how she can pray for them.

In her free time, Juanita enjoys a full schedule of activities, though she’s quick to admit that Bingo isn’t her thing. She especially loved canning throughout her life, and with BT growing the produce, she canned just about anything imaginable.

Juanita Hatch is a woman of quiet strength, deep humility, and unshakable faith. We’re honored to have her as part of the Baptist Homes family.

Long-Term Planning = Reduced Stress Living

Long-term care planning is a crucial yet often neglected part of preparing for aging. Taking simple steps now can ensure security, dignity, and peace of mind later in life. Proverbs 16:3 instructs God’s people to “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Long-term care encompasses a range of services for those who can no longer perform everyday activities independently, either due to aging, illness, or disability. Services help maintain independence and safety and include both medical and non-medical assistance, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating, medication management, and transportation.

• In-home care helps with chores, personal care, nursing, or therapy.
• Community services are often overlooked, and can include meal programs, transportation, and respite care for caregivers.

However, staying at home is not always safe or possible.

Assisted living and residential care facilities are staffed communities offering support with daily activities while encouraging independence.

Nursing homes offer 24/7 medical care and supervision for individuals with more significant health needs, while encouraging as much activity as possible.

Memory care provides specialized services to promote quality of life for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other cognitive conditions.

Long-term care planning is about more than medical needs; it’s about protecting quality of life, independence, and stewardship. Relying solely on government programs like Medicare is risky, as these do not cover most long-term care costs. Medicaid requires approved spend downs of all assets prior to qualifying. Without proper planning, prayer and counsel, individuals and their families may experience significant emotional, physical, and financial stress.

Baptist Homes has team members who will help you initiate and navigate the planning process, regardless of whether you or a loved one ever use our services.  Why? Because our purpose is to please God and help others do the same. To schedule a conversation, email us at desk@bhhm.org.

Together in His service,

Rodney Harrison

Employee Spotlight: Rick Spencer

A Steady Hand, & A Servant’s Heart

This month, we are pleased to shine our Employee Spotlight on Rick Spencer, Life Safety Assistant at our Arcadia Valley campus. Rick has been part of the Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries family for nearly four years, bringing dedication, kindness, and a servant’s heart to his role.

As a member of the maintenance team, Rick plays a vital role in keeping the campus running smoothly and safely. When asked about his favorite part of the job, he shared, “Being able to help others and seeing the smiles on the neighbors’ faces.” That spirit of joy and service is something Rick brings to every task, whether big or small.

Outside of work, Rick enjoys spending time with his family, being outdoors, especially fishing, kayaking with friends, and working out. He also appreciates slower-paced moments, like relaxing movie days with his loyal German shepherd, Anakin.

We’re grateful to have Rick as part of our team. His steady presence and willingness to go the extra mile make a meaningful impact every day at Arcadia Valley.

Employee Spotlight: Alex Edris

A Heart for Service, A Gift to Our Team

This month, we are proud to shine the spotlight on Alex Edris, the dedicated administrator at Baptist Homes of Shelbina. Since joining our team in May 2024, Alex has quickly become a cornerstone of the community, building meaningful relationships with both residents and staff.

Whether she’s in her office or walking through the halls, Alex is known for her warm smile and willingness to lend a hand. Her servant heart, steady leadership, and daily encouragement make her the backbone of our building. She goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and cared for.

Alex brings with her over seven years of experience as a licensed administrator. Her journey into senior care began in a deeply personal way, when she helped place her grandmother into an assisted living community. That moment sparked a calling in her heart: to advocate for the elderly, lead with compassion, and provide care that upholds the dignity of every resident.

Alex completed her internship at Salt River Community Care from 2012–2014 and has been faithfully serving seniors ever since. Her leadership is grounded in empathy, accountability, and a deep love for those she serves.

Alex lives in Monroe City with her husband of 12 years, Brock Edris, and their three children: Rylan, Cruz, and Aubrie. Outside of work, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine, swimming in the family pool, and making memories with her loved ones.

We’re grateful for Alex and her commitment to the mission of Baptist Homes. She truly embodies what it means to lead with heart.

Most Importantly, Pray.

By Dr. Ron Mackey, Vice President, Community Engagement

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6

In over 10 years’ experience in writing articles for our communications with you, our supporters, I have referenced/written about prayer over 30 times (thanks, Microsoft Co-Pilot!). While that may seem redundant, let us remember that Jesus instructed us to pray for our daily bread. There are needs that our ministry faces on an ongoing basis that will likely never change or not need prayer. I would like to bring those before you again this month.

Long-term care has become the most highly regulated industry in America, recently surpassing the nuclear power industry. Every day, moment by moment, we encounter a vast array of regulations that oversee the physical safety of our buildings, the dietary needs of our residents, the health and social vitality of our residents, as well as the needs of our employees. Each day we make decisions that have a significant impact on the wellbeing of those for whom we are called to care. Pray for us that at every level we will follow this array of regulations, not just because we are required to, but as a means of bringing glory to our God!

Providing care for the elderly requires a person-centered approach.  We are not making widgets here at The Baptist Homes. We are caring for your loved ones. Our task— our calling— is to do so in a Christ-honoring way. In order to do this, we must recruit, employ, develop and retain Christ-called staff. Finding that ‘calling’ requires more than deciphering words in a job application— it requires a heart that seeks to hear the direction of the Holy Spirit as we hire. This insight is necessary in the hiring process for all positions as we need Christ-called staff in laundry services, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, administration and nursing. Pray for us that we will do that hard thing and seek out those staff whose hearts already beat for the aging or whose hearts can be molded towards that purpose.

Pray for us as we seek to communicate in a new world and a new context. Having received certification as a Medicare and Medicaid provider, we are learning how to communicate in a new world. We are now geographically and financially available to more aging seniors than we’ve ever been before. We need the right mechanisms and plan to communicate this availability in bold and new ways. We covet your prayers in this area.

You will read in this newsletter about our 21-day prayer initiative. This would be a great time to commit to praying for Baptist Homes. This prayer guide will inform your prayer throughout this season. Thank you for your continued support! Remember, the most important thing you can do for us is pray!

Neighbor Spotlight: Larry Hendrickson

Larry Hendrickson

A Life of Faith, Family, and the Outdoors

Born on August 25, 1947, in Owensville, Missouri, Larry Hendrickson has spent his life rooted in faith, service, and love for the great outdoors. His journey of faith began early—he recalls being taken to church as a child and hearing the gospel from his Sunday school teacher. At just 12 years old, he accepted Christ into his heart, a decision that would shape the rest of his life.
While attending Southwest Baptist College, Larry met Joyce, a student at Southwest Missouri State in Springfield. The two were married on June 6, 1970, in Gray Summit, Missouri, and began a shared life marked by ministry and love.
After graduating in 1970 and later earning a degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1979, Larry faithfully pastored six churches across Missouri during his 47-year ministry. His passion for serving others is matched only by his love for the outdoors. An avid hunter and fisherman, he also discovered a love for wood carving in 1988, a hobby he still enjoys today.
Larry and Joyce are the proud parents of two children, Scott, who lives in Jefferson City, and Jennifer, who lives in Columbia. Between them, they have six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. With most of the family nearby, monthly family gatherings are a cherished tradition.
In December 2020, the couple moved to Baptist Homes of Ashland following health concerns and the need for more accessible living. Even so, the joys of the outdoors remain part of his life. Larry continues to enjoy fishing and black powder deer hunting, embracing the beauty of creation and the blessings of family.

A Gift That Gives Back

While many taxpayers are just getting finished with tax preparations for 2024, now is a strategic time to prepare for 2025! How about a gift that gives back?

Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries is partnering with the Missouri Department of Economic Development (MODED) to issue $350,000 in Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credits. NAP tax credits are issued at a 70% rate of qualified donations. These gifts will assist with renovations to create efficiency suites in the historic Riggs Scott Building.

The Missouri Neighborhood Assistance Act makes this credit available to any person, firm, or corporation with business income in Missouri. Qualified individuals operating a sole proprietorship, a farm, rental property, or earning royalty income are eligible, as well as shareholders in an S-corporation, partners in a Partnership, or members of a Limited Liability Corporation.

How does this work?

Step 1: Baptist Homes receives a donation of $1,000 or more.

Step 2: Baptist Homes sends the donor Missouri tax paperwork to complete.

Step 3: The paperwork is returned to Baptist Homes, and then we send the completed paperwork to MODED.

Step 4: MODED will notify potential donors of approval or denial within 45-90 days.

This is a unique opportunity for Baptist Homes to partner with our supporters and to bless our ministry. Tax credits are limited, so contact us today!

For more information about Missouri state tax credits, contact Ron Mackey (rdmackey@bhhm.org) or Nick Davis (ndavis@bhhm.org) at 573-546-2709.

Overcoming Misconceptions

The parents of a close friend and colleague were cremated following their earthly passing into their heavenly home. A memorial service was held, and stone monuments were placed near the location where they had spent their final years. Family and friends gathered to remember them and honor their lives and legacy.

Years later, when a change in property ownership occurred at the site of the monuments, concerns arose. Some friends who had attended the original service voiced their belief that the property was a burial site. A few even claimed, “I saw them buried here,” and went so far as to submit letters stating they had personally witnessed the burial of the bodies—or at least the ashes.

My friend can only chuckle. He knows the truth: his parents are with the Lord, and their ashes reside in an urn at his home. This story is a powerful reminder of how deeply people can hold onto long-standing assumptions—even when those assumptions are inaccurate.

For nearly 70 years, Baptist Homes operated under one such assumption: that residents must sign over all assets in exchange for care. Under that model, Baptist Homes accepted homes, farms, and other properties, using the proceeds to fund resident care and to build an endowment for future needs.

That practice changed four decades ago. Baptist Homes shifted to a private pay model, welcoming residents who could cover their care for at least five years. The promise we made was simple but profound: when those resources were exhausted—including real estate and other assets—Baptist Homes would continue to provide nursing care, funded by our endowment.

Today, those original endowed funds are gone. Also gone is the stigma associated with being a “benevolent case.” At Baptist Homes, quality of care does not depend on how a resident pays. Whether someone is on private pay, Medicaid, or another insurance source, they receive the same compassionate, Christlike care, whether at our five-star Arcadia Valley campus or any other location.

By God’s goodness and grace, Baptist Homes is now able to serve almost any senior in need of care. Whether it’s independent living, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living, or long-term care, we are here to help.

Still, misconceptions linger. I continue to hear outdated or unfounded statements like, “Baptist Homes has a five-year waiting list,” or “They only accept private pay,” or even, “You have to sign over all your property to get in.”

Let me be clear: none of those statements are true. While we may be full from time to time in one level of care at a particular campus, our waiting lists are generally short, and our admissions policies are in alignment with the best practices in senior care.

Baptist Homes & Healthcare Ministries today serves more seniors in more locations and with more payor sources than ever before. While care is never inexpensive, we strive to keep our rates among the most affordable in the nation. Our accepted payor sources include Private Pay, Medicaid for long-term care, Medicare, and an expanding number of Medicare Advantage plans for short-term rehab.

Yes, Baptist Homes has changed with the times—offering larger living spaces, advanced technology, and modern amenities—but what has not changed is our unwavering commitment to providing Christlike care to every person we serve.

Thank you for supporting the mission and ministry of Baptist Homes.

Together in His service,
Rodney Harrison

What’s So Golden About the Golden Years?

Many readers may remember the late Billy Graham’s long-running question-and-answer column in Decision magazine, where he addressed deep questions of faith in a fallen world. One such question stood out: “What’s so golden about the golden years? I don’t see anything ‘golden’ about walkers, wheelchairs, and nursing homes.”

Dr. Graham responded with his characteristic wisdom and grace. He explained that the term “golden years” was actually coined in 1959 as part of an advertising campaign for one of America’s first retirement communities. The idea quickly caught on, promoting retirement as a time of leisure, pleasure, and ease.

But the Bible never glosses over the challenges of aging—nor did Billy Graham. He often reminded readers that while aging brings undeniable hardships, it does not mean our lives are without purpose. In fact, he believed the opposite.

At the time of his passing in 2018, Dr. Graham had spent nearly five years using a walker and wheelchair and receiving regular nursing care. In a moment of touching irony, it was a nursing student who discovered that he had gone home to be with the Lord.

When asked about his declining health, Graham simply reiterated his own words:

“The Bible doesn’t hide the negative side of getting older—nor should we.”

He faced the trials of aging with honesty and hope. Despite physical decline, he expressed gratitude for each day, knowing that God had a purpose for every moment. He believed that some of his most spiritually fruitful years came after his last public crusade—years filled with deeper prayer, meditation on Scripture, and encouraging others in their walk with Christ.

Scripture offers numerous examples of faithful men and women who refused to view old age as a time of passivity or indulgence. One such example is Barzillai, a lesser-known yet vital figure in the life of King David. In his old age, Barzillai provided crucial support and hospitality to the king during a time of crisis (2 Samuel 19:32–37). His generosity and courage played a part in preserving the Davidic line, through which the eternal reign of Jesus Christ was fulfilled.

The Holy Spirit, in divine wisdom, included the biblical narratives of Barzillai—and Psalm 71—to speak directly to aging faithfully. Psalm 71, which has served as the biblical foundation of Baptist Homes since 1913, reminds us that old age is not a season of retreat from God’s work, but a calling to continued faith, service, and hope.

So, what’s truly golden about the golden years? Not ease or luxury, but the enduring presence and purpose of God in every stage of life.

Neighbor Spotlight: Linda Reese

Linda Reese

A Giving Heart

Linda Reese, one of the friendly faces at Baptist Homes of Adrian, was born on December 4, 1956, in Troy, New York. Over the years, life took her from the East Coast to the Midwest. First, to Kansas in the 1980s, and eventually she settled in Missouri to be closer to her daughter.

Linda and her husband, Floyd, have been married for 20 years. She is the proud mother of four children and has a big, loving family that includes 13 grandchildren. Linda has always had a caring heart—she worked for years as a nurse’s aide and CNA, helping others through her work. That same caring spirit still shines through today in the thoughtful ways she spends her time.

One of Linda’s favorite pastimes is making baby blankets; each one is made with a lot of love. She also enjoys doing puzzles, playing cards, and creating diamond dot art, a relaxing hobby that lets her creative side shine.

Although Linda was raised Catholic, she made a personal decision to be baptized in 2022. She first moved into a different care facility, but found it wasn’t quite what she was looking for. As soon as Baptist Homes of Adrian opened, she made the move and has loved being there.

She’s warm, welcoming, and always up for a chat. We’re grateful to have Linda as part of our community here at Baptist Homes.