By Baptist Message staff
NEW ORLEANS (LBM) – Individuals and organizations will be encouraged to honor spiritual caregivers during “Spiritual Care Week,” Oct. 23-29.
“Spiritual Care Week is a special time where we bring an emphasis in a ministry to individuals who don’t get a lot of airtime,” Baptist Community Ministries Vice President of Chaplaincy Services Larry Johnson told the Baptist Message. “These are the unsung heroes of society who are not trying to make a name for themselves but are trying to help others.”
Since 1985, Spiritual Care Week has provided an opportunity for chaplains and pastoral care counselors, educators and providers to share their story and to celebrate various ministries.
This year’s theme is “Relevant and responsive in times of crisis.”
Johnson is one of 12 full-time chaplains who serve either in all eight districts of the New Orleans Police Department or at hospitals and other health care facilities throughout the city.
The BCM website notes that its chaplains are theologically educated, clinically trained and nationally board-certified by either the Association of Professional Chaplains or the National Association of Catholic Chaplains.
The ministry was formed from the proceeds of the 1995 sale of Southern Baptist Hospital in New Orleans; and through the years the ministry has furthered the Gospel through partnerships formed with 150 churches and 95 non-profit organizations in the city — investing in health, education and public safety. BCM officially marked its 25th anniversary in 2020.
“Our chaplains are there to help people and bring the hope of Christ in areas that sometimes seem hopeless,” Johnson said. “At the end of the day, I pray we would bring the truth hope found in Christ Jesus.”
For more information about Baptist Community Ministries, visit bcm.org.
