The Christian Village Celebrates 50 Years of Ministry

Send a link to a friend  Share

[April 23, 2015]  LINCOLN - In the early 1960’s, older adults in Lincoln who couldn’t care for themselves had few options, especially if their families were unable to care for them. That changed when the Christian Nursing Home opened in 1965, the fulfillment of a dream of nine visionary Central Illinois men.

Emboldened by God, these men were convinced of the need for a Christian home for older adults. With the support of several area churches and an account that held only $10.66, these dedicated men took a leap of faith to plan a Christian nursing home.

With contributions from local churches and individuals, as well as the sale of bonds and a government grant, they were able to secure enough funding to build the Christian Nursing Home. The home was called “a demonstration of Christian concern in brick-and-mortar terms.”

Since it opened, the home has expanded its offerings to include rehab-to-home, independent living and memory care. To reflect the diverse options residents have, the name was changed to The Christian Village.

The vision to care for older adults soon spread to other locations, resulting in the original dream expanding to a family of 13 senior living communities throughout the Midwest known as Christian Homes, Inc.
 



With the theme of “Honoring God with a Faithful Past and a Thriving Future,” The Christian Village has planned special 50th anniversary festivities this Saturday.

From 10 am to 1 pm there will be children’s activities, a flea market, live music and a free BBQ lunch. A free concert of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra will be held at LCU that night in the Earl C Hargrove Chapel at 7 pm. Tickets aren’t needed, but seating is limited.

Many Lincoln-area individuals played an important role in the history of The Christian Village. Ray Goodman, Gerald Carter and Jack Getchel were among the founding fathers. Goodman also served as the first administrator of the nursing home and later as corporate building agent. He was followed by George Gahr, who had a 35-year career with Christian Homes, serving most of that as president/CEO.

Charlotte Bennett followed him as administrator and later served as executive vice-president of Christian Homes. Tim Searby served as administrator longer than any other – from 1977 to 2000. Today, Jo Hilliard of Lake Fork serves as administrator.

When Gahr retired in 2001, he reflected on the ministry of Christian Homes.

[to top of second column]

“Looking back over the years from 1962, I am sincerely amazed at how all the ministry of Christian Homes came about,” he said. “I do know, and knew when I was working with them, that the members of the Board of Directors radiated a great faith, enthusiasm and determination that was infectious.”

“The ministry of Christian Homes is immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine,” he continued. “People of great faith and generosity offer their support for the work of the ministry but it is the power of Christ Jesus within us that brings it about.”

Searby recalled the focus of The Christian Village during his tenure.

“We honored God by working hard to show care and concern for our residents,” he said. “At staff meetings we spent a lot of time talking about ministering to residents’ hearts and souls – the whole person.”

“We worked hard at not being institutional,” he added. “Early on, we set that as our standard.”

The current leaders of Christian Homes strive to maintain that standard as well.

“Just as our founding fathers remained committed to our God-honoring ministry, we, too, remain committed to serving older adults with the love of Christ in the years ahead,” said Dr. Tim Phillippe, CEO of Christian Homes.

[Jan Schumacher, Christian Homes/Christian Village]

Back to top