The Gap Project by LCC
Last, lost, least, & lonely…
In the U.S., an estimated 70% of nursing home residents don’t receive a visitor all year. With limited resources and mobility, some nursing home residents have little opportunity for activity, connection, and most importantly, hope.
Article: In Nursing Homes, Impoverished Live Final Days on Pennies
Over the last few years, Life Community Church has assisted Tim & Kris Lockwood in providing items like supplies and handmade cards to local nursing homes.
With COVID restrictions lifted and the ability to enter nursing homes in person again, we thought it’d be a great time to formally announce our partnership with GAP Ministries. The Gap Project by LCC seeks to continue the Lockwood’s work in sharing the Gospel and reaching some of our last, lost, least, and loneliest neighbors.
“They’re elderly orphans.” -Kris Lockwood
In 2019 Tim & Kris Lockwood introduced Life Community Church to GAP Ministries, an effort to bridge the gap between the church and nursing homes. However, soon after they joined LCC the pandemic took over, cutting off any chance of in-person activities when residents needed it most.
Through COVID, GAP persevered by continuing to drop off seasonal cards for residents to hold and Christmas gifts to open. Now with in-person activities available again, LCC hopes to connect with our elderly neighbors through monthly worship services and Bible studies.
The Reality
In many cases GAP Ministries has experienced resistance, not just due to COVID, but ill equipped facilities with staff unable to assist in gathering residents for activities. We’re still experiencing these issues today and may see restrictions tighten back up again through the winter & flu season.
What can I do?
We’re looking for folks with a heart to serve! There are many ways you can be part of The Gap Project with LCC.
Provide Supplies
We are always in need of Christmas presents, Audio Bible Players, headphones, and more. Keep up with our events page for the latest list of supplies needed.
Make Cards
Christmas, Valentines Day, Easter, Mother’s & Father’s Day- we look for every opportunity to send love in the form of a card. This is the perfect activity to get the whole family involved. Cards can be left blank inside, but we really like for folks to share a prayer and encouragement. Be on the lookout for calls to Card Collections on our events page.
Visit
The greatest thing our nursing home residents need (aside from a connection with Jesus) is a connection with people who know Jesus. Join a worship service, visit residents, lead Bible studies & learn more about other in-person opportunities. If you’re interested, contact us.
Sponsor an Audio Bible Player
Some residents have lost enough vision that reading the Bible is difficult. Audio Bible Players are easy to navigate and a great way for someone to listen to the Word. These Bible alternatives come in a Spanish translation, overcoming language barriers and helping us to share the Gospel with even more residents. (Additionally, the Lockwoods have also come across homeless folks who say they can’t read and these players helped them connect with the Word too!)
Here's what we've been up to.
Here's what we've been up to.
Check out the latest work with The Gap Project by LCC!
Note: To respect the privacy of some nursing home residents and staff, faces may be covered in the following photos.
February 2024: Cards and scarves were distributed at Fresno Health Care Center where they had a wonderful worship service.
“This is a picture of [Mrs. P], she can barely speak but is SO strong in the Lord! Another resident, [Ms. B], accepted the Lord after the service. The Lord can do ANYTHING! Old people are just like every one of us; they feel the SAME things. Your cards added something caring and full of design and color! Thank you LCC! ❤️ “
- Kris Lockwood
January 2024: LCC got together to make Valentine cards and scarves for residents! We learned last Christmas that scarves were a big hit with residents and they wanted more.
Big thank you to the Thiesen family for hosting and for providing so many craft supplies and to the Titus family & Alpha Graphics Fresno for providing paper!
December 2023: The Smith family helped share the reason for the season at Covenant Care Nursing Home. It was an awesome time of worship and celebration!
October 2023: The Lockwoods held a collection drive to replace an inoperable tv (that was too small for residents to gather around and watch even if it did work.)
They collected just enough for a brand new 65” screen on sale at Costco to assist with worship services!
Before the new TV, a small inoperable screen.
With the new TV, it is now easier to share music for worship services. Kris Lockwood pictured standing with some of their staff members.