Modern-day Circuit Rider

Recently, as I was musing about the ministry God has entrusted to me and my wife in the nursing homes, I was reminded of the old-time 'circuit riders' who traveled extensively throughout the frontier of early America, taking the Gospel to those without a pastor. I began to do some reading and found great similarity between our missionary work and the efforts of these brave men of God.

A circuit rider was a pastor, usually a Methodist or Baptist, assigned to travel among several rural churches to provide services for residents. Circuit riders were real and official pastors, not itinerant freelance preachers. They had a simple plan of evangelism: they went where the people lived, and they ministered to their needs. 

Let me share some fascinating history of the 'circuit rider'. The material is not original with me. I am indebted to John Wigger of St. Olaf College in Minnesota for his article, "Holy, 'Knock-Em-Down' Preachers!", from which I have excerpted the following:

"Early circuit riders were a different kind of clergy than had ever been seen in America, serving a rapidly expanding and spiritually hungry nation. They pursued their calling with remarkable zeal, forever changing the style and tone of American religion.

What was a circuit rider’s life like? And what was their collective impact?

In 1795, 95 percent of Americans lived in places with fewer than 2,500 inhabitants; by 1830 this proportion was still 91 percent. Itinerant ministry provided preaching...and church structure to communities that would not otherwise have been able to attract or afford a minister. The typical circuit rider was a young, single man who hailed from an artisan background, who himself had already moved several times from one village or town to the next, but whose life had been abruptly transformed by a dramatic conversion experience. Before turning to preaching, Bishop Francis Asbury (Methodism’s most influential early leader) had been a blacksmith, and most of the other preachers had been carpenters, shoemakers, hatters, tanners, millers, shopkeepers, school teachers, sailors, and so on.

A typical...itinerant was responsible for a predominantly rural circuit, 200 to 500 miles in circumference. He was expected to complete this circuit every two to six weeks, with the standard being a four weeks’ circuit. His partner, if he had one, usually did not travel with him, but either followed or preceded him on the circuit. Hence, on a four weeks’ circuit, the people could expect preaching about every two weeks, but only rarely from a circuit rider on a Sunday. On rural circuits, the itinerants made preaching appointments for nearly every day of the week, sometimes both morning and evening, with only a few days per month allotted for rest, reflection, and letter writing.

The early circuit riders preached and traveled at a grueling pace. John Brooks, for example, labored so intensely during his first three years in the itinerancy that he reported, “I lost my health and broke a noble constitution.” During one tempestuous revival, Brooks lay “sick in bed,” but the people “literally forced me out, and made me preach.”

In 1799, itinerant Billy Hibbard rode the Cambridge, New York, circuit, a 500-mile, four-week circuit with up to 63 preaching appointments, in addition to the responsibility of meeting the classes. In one year on the Flanders, New Jersey, circuit, Thomas Smith estimated he traveled 4,200 miles, preached 324 times, exhorted 64 times, and met classes 287 times.

During his 45-year career, Asbury, who never married, rode more than a quarter of a million miles on horseback and crossed the Allegheny Mountains some 60 times. He visited nearly every state once a year. One biographer estimates that Asbury stayed in 10,000 households and preached 17,000 sermons."

How very much like our work of traveling on a 6 day a week rotating schedule, throughout northwestern Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, conducting services in various nursing homes to people who, for the most part, have no pastor. We have learned over the years that many times when an elderly person becomes needful of nursing home care, their grown children move mom or dad closer to them, to a facility nearby where they can visit them regularly. Unfortunately, in doing this they uproot the loved one from familiar surroundings, including their home church and pastor. As a result, they have no one to take care of their spiritual needs. Of course, this is where our ministry comes in as we bring Bible studies, church services, heart-stirring music, and counseling to the resident.

So, I guess our work among the nursing homes in two states qualifies us as a 21st century "circuit riding" ministry! Hey....where did I park my horse?

Missionary Pastor

Norm Aabye

Jude 22

Of Some Have Compassion

a·wak·en·ing

[uh-wey-kuh-ning] 

adjective

4. a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something: a rude awakening to the disagreeable facts.

Something is happening. "Where?", you say. Among the elderly in the nursing homes of Pennsylvania and Ohio. In 2006, my wife and I began our missionary outreach to those confined to nursing homes, to those residing in assisted living facilities, and to those living out their last days in Alzheimer Care Units. It has been an extremely rewarding ministry, as we have seen many come to faith in Jesus Christ as their Saviour. We came to this ministry not without some experience. Having been a church planter/pastor for over eighteen years prior to beginning this new stage of ministry, we had some knowledge of the need to bring the Gospel into the nursing homes. But in 2006, after God had brought us to northwestern Pennsylvania, out eyes were opened to the tremendous and urgent need to reach what we now refer to as "the people group nearest eternity". There is no group of people who are more aware of the fleeting measure of time than those who are living out their days in a nursing home.

Most Bible-preaching churches have a nursing home ministry. But statistically, the facts show that it would require every true church to have at least 14 nursing home ministry just to meet the current need of taking the message of Christ to these dear folks. Few churches can muster the time or the people to carry on such a ministry. We realized that a ministry was needed that would reach into a multitude of nursing homes on a regular basis. Currently, we are involved with 10 nursing homes on a rotating schedule six days a week, bringing Christ-honoring music, biblical preaching and teaching, and personal counseling for residents and staff members. 

We also came to this ministry with mixed expectations. But something is happening lately. There seems to be an "awakening" taking place in the nursing homes in northwestern PA and northeastern OH. Suddenly, many are responsive to the Gospel and are trusting Christ as their Saviour.

The dictionary offers multiple definitions of the word "awakening", but the one that seems to fit here is "a recognition, realization, or coming into awareness of something; a rude awakening to the disagreeable facts". There is no doubt that God is working with increased fervor, bringing people to an awareness of their need for Jesus Christ. The "disagreeable facts", as the definition describes, are the facts that man is a sinner and is separated from God now, and will be for all eternity, unless something is done about his sin. Fortunately, something has been done. God sent His Son into the world 2000 years ago to take the sinners' place on the cross of Calvary, shedding His own blood as the payment for the forgiveness of sins, and then after dying, rose three days later as proof positive of His victory over sin and death and His ability to grant eternal life to all who would put their trust in Him alone for salvation. As of late, the message seems to be falling upon fertile hearts that the Lord has prepared to receive His Word in great measure. 

No human effort can account for what is taking place. I would echo the words of the Apostle Paul as he wrote to the Corinthian believers: "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God"  - 1 Cor. 2:4,5. 
I am aware that there are those who might now be saying, "Boy, it seems as if all of a sudden you're boasting about 'numbers'!"  Let me be clear: If and when anything is accomplished in the realm of the Spirit in the hearts of individuals, it is all of God. We would dare not take any credit. Our message has not changed. Our ministry has not changed. It is apparent that God, and God alone, is doing something for His glory in bringing many souls to himself, and for that we are grateful to be vessels that His might use.

I write this especially for pastors who might wonder if the nursing home ministry is worth the effort. Or, for those who wonder if a consistent evangelistic outreach among the elderly and infirmed is a valid missionary outreach worthy of a church's support. Each pastor and each church must answer that question individually. Jude, writing his brief epistle at the end of the New Testament, makes a statement that we have taken as our verse for the ministry the Lord has entrusted to us:  "And of some have compassion, making a difference" - Jude 1:22. Our desire is not only to continue on this ministry, but also to try to recruit others to begin similar multi-nursing home ministries in other areas of the country. The population of the homes is growing at an astounding rate, especially given the fact that the "baby boomers" began reaching the age of 65 just a few years ago. Many will find themselves in need of nursing home care of some kind in the next years, if the Lord tarries. Wouldn't you like to have a vital part in fulfilling the Great Commission in this unique people group? We would love to come and share with your church what is happening through this unique and much needed ministry, and to partner with you in reaching those in your area for Christ.

Serving together, 

Missionary Pastor,

Norm Aabye

Awakening!

While winter has kept our part of the country in its cold, fierce grip the past month, the fire of God's power has been more than evident in the nursing homes in Pennsylvania and Ohio. There is no other explanation for what we are seeing except the hand of God at work. In the past several weeks we have seen nine (9) individuals make decisions for Christ in our services. I have felt a tremendous freedom in preaching and people have been readily responding to an invitation to trust Christ for salvation. Of the nine, two (2) are staff workers (a nurse and an activity department person). In most of our services, there is at least one nursing home employee required to be in attendance. Sometimes I wonder if they are listening to what is being said, as they scurry around to take care of the various needs of the residents in the service. It is a blessing to see the staff bow their heads during the invitation, especially when one signifies that they would like to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation.
Yesterday, in Ohio, we had what I believe was one of the best services ever there. The Christians in the service were "Amen"-ing, and when the service had concluded, I spoke with two (2) individuals, a nurse and a gentleman on oxygen who both told me they had made decisions: one for salvation, one to rededicate their life to Christ. Sometimes the apparent effectiveness of our ministry seems to be "stalled", while at other times we see tremendous fruit being borne for the Kingdom of God. We give Him all the glory for what is taking place, and we are thankful to all those who make it possible for us to involved in such a necessary and rewarding ministry.

Missionary Pastor,
Norm Aabye

Winter 2014 Update

January, 2014



Dear Praying Friends,



Well, 2013 has slipped away and we are faced with a new year and new opportunities for service to the King! Let me give you an update of the closing months of 2013:
During the month of October we had the opportunity to show our new video at a missions

conference in Ohio. The response was very positive as people saw the statistics concerning the elderly in the nursing homes of America. In the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24,25, while Jesus spoke about the judgment of the nations at the end of the Tribulation period, the people asked: "Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:37-40).
The generation that gave us all that we have and enjoy today has been largely forgotten. They are living out their final days away from family, friends, and the familiar home life they enjoyed for so long. They have lost most of their possessions and virtually all of their independence. They are literally living on the  edge of Eternity. Someone must go to them and tell them of God's love and plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. We are thankful that God has entrusted us with such a task, and we are thankful for all those churches and individuals who faithfully support our work among the elderly. We are committed to bringing the life-changing Gospel to them repeatedly, week after week, so that many can be saved.
While in that missions conference we were exposed to the world-wide need for the Good News. But the need is great, right here in our own backyard. You might be surprised to know that only 10% of all nursing home residents have been born again and have a genuine relationship with the Saviour. That means that 90% are simply religious, and are trusting in their good works to get them to Heaven some day. Because of this, they struggle with  fear and a lack of assurance about what awaits them after this life. Hardly a week goes by that we don't hear of someone who has sat in our services at a particular nursing home facility who has slipped off into eternity since the last time we were there. The need is urgent to reach these dear souls while they are still reachable. We covet your prayers for power, safety, and fruitfulness in the preaching of the Gospel.
In November I had the privilege of performing the funeral for a relative of a nursing home staff member. We have gained the trust of administration and staff at the facilities in which we minister. That is never more apparent than when they ask us to be involved in the crisis moments of their lives. The worker told me that she had known for 2 years, when her relative had first become sick, that she wanted me to perform the funeral one day. When the opportunity came I had tremendous freedom to preach the gospel and give an open invitation for souls to be saved.

Just before Thanksgiving, we traveled to Missouri (in our newer car that the Lord provided; a 2007 Chrysler Town & Country with a lot less miles than our 2003!...Thanks for your prayers) to see our oldest granddaughter married. We stayed for Thanksgiving dinner at Agape Ranch, a facility for troubled boys, where our son is on staff, and ate dinner with about 200 folks in the dining hall! We then had an “early” Christmas with the family and headed home the first week of December, just ahead of an ice storm.

In December, I brought a series of messages to the nursing homes on the incarnation of the Saviour, which was received well. A dear Christian man, Pete, whom we have known through the years in several nursing homes, went to be with the Lord in the early morning hours before we got to the home. He loved to sit and talk with me after our services about the Bible and wanted me to come more often to tell others about Jesus. I encouraged him to start a Bible study among the residents, which he did. We had a good friendship and I know I'll see him in Glory one day. Another man, whom we have known for quite a while, confiding in me that when he passed he wanted me to take care of his funeral. I told him it would be my privilege. Many in the homes have allowed us into their private lives and are willing to entrust to us a most important aspect of their time on this earth.

Many of you are aware that I accepted the temporary position of interim-pastor at the church from which we operate our nursing home ministry, Open Door Baptist in Venango, PA, with the provision that we would be able to continue our nursing home ministry schedule. The church is on track, growing, and becoming financially stable. In fact, the church just paid off its mortgage! Pray that when the time comes for them to seek a permanent pastor, God will supply the right one. Over the past year we have seen several nursing home staff members attend the church, and bring others. God is connecting our position at the church with our ministry in the nursing homes, which is just what we hoped would happen. Many pastors probably think that the nursing home ministry will never benefit their local church. But the ministry at the homes is not just about reaching the elderly, but their families, and the staff members who have served them.

Thank you again, to all who make it possible for us to be full-time on this necessary mission field that is continually "white unto harvest". May we labor together in 2014 to see many come to know the Saviour before He returns.

Serving Together,

Norm Aabye

Norm & Priscilla Aabye

Fall Missions Conference

We recently had the opportunity to show our new video at a missions conference in Ohio. The response was very positive as people saw the statistics concerning the elderly in the nursing homes of America. In the Olivet Discourse of Matthew 24,25, while Jesus spoke about the judgment of the nations at the end of the Tribulation period, the people asked:  "Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?  Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?  And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:37-40).
The generation that gave us all that we have and enjoy today has been largely forgotten. They are living out their final days away from family, friends, and the familiar home life they enjoyed for so long. They have lost most of their possessions and virtually all of their independence. They are literally living on the  edge of Eternity. Someone must go to them and tell them of God's love and plan of redemption through His Son, Jesus Christ. We are thankful that God has entrusted us with such a task, and we are thankful for all those churches and individuals who faithfully support our work among the elderly. We are committed to bringing the life-changing Gospel to them repeatedly, week after week, so that many can be saved.
While in that missions conference we were exposed to the world-wide need for the Good News. But the need is great, right here in our own backyard. You might be surprised to know that only 10% of all nursing home residents have been born again and have a genuine relationship with the Saviour. That means that 90% are simply religious, and are trusting in their good works to get them to Heaven some day. Because of this, they struggle with  fear and a lack of assurance about what awaits them after this life. Hardly a week goes by that we don't hear of someone who has sat in our services at a particular nursing home facility who has slipped off into eternity since the last time we were there. The need is urgent to reach these dear souls while they are still reachable. We covet your prayers for power, safety, and fruitfulness in the preaching of the Gospel. Thank you again, to all who make it possible for us to be full-time on this necessary mission field that is continually "white unto harvest".

On The Air!

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be interviewed on radio station WVGV out of West Virginia. This is a ministry operated by Evangelist Oliver Araiza. I met Brother Oliver several years ago and told him about our ministry to the nursing homes in Pennsylvania and Ohio. He recently contacted me and said they would like to have me share what God was doing among the elderly in nursing homes on their American Heartbeat program.  Although I have been interviewed quite a number of times before on radio, I was somewhat apprehensive for this one due to the fact that it would be a live, 30 minute segment. After preparing all my information, just to make sure I had all the up-dated facts, I was ready for the call to the station. But.....technology being what it is, there was a glitch in the system and the call wouldn't connect. I had the station playing on my laptop, and I could hear the program host saying, "Brother Aabye, are you there?" How embarassing. I was frantically redialing the station, Brother Araiza, and the special "Skype" number he had given me. Every line was busy or immediately went to voice-mail. Finally, I heard the announcers voice in my ear and we were connected. Whew! The rest actually went off without a hitch, as they say.
Technology really is great, though. As I write this, I'm using a laptop computer. I remember my first computer. It was like a boat anchor! A huge desktop unit. Now computers have been reduced to the size of smart phones. We can connect via the air waves without cables. When I post this article to this blog site, it will immediately be accessible to anyone around the world. Having a web-site, Facebook page, e-mail, etc., provides not only instant access to friends, family, and beyond, but allows for the promotion of ministries to those who otherwise would not know about what God is doing in a ministry like ours. Although it's sometimes frustrating, p
raise the Lord for modern communication technology.

What's Your Reaction?

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend a local pastor's fellowship in western Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful day of listening to the preaching of the Word of God, singing the great hymns of the faith, and spending time with the pastors, missionaries, and evangelists who are on the 'front lines' of the battle for the souls of mankind.
During an afternoon break, I was involved in a conversation with a pastor from Ohio. I was telling him how the Lord had called my wife and I to develop C.A.R.E. Ministries, and how we were seeing God doing great things through the nursing home ministry. I wish you could have seen his face when I shared some statistics about the number of nursing homes in our immediate are (63 within just a 40 mile radius of our home!). He was amazed when I told him that Ohio and Pennsylvania were number 3 and 5 respectively in the number of nursing homes in America! His reaction is something we've come to expect. Unfortunately, most pastors are not aware of the mission field of "those nearest eternity", as we like to say, literally on their doorstep. While no one would dispute the need to plant new churches in America, or to reach the multitudes around the globe who have never heard the gospel, the nursing home presents a never-ending opportunity to reach dear souls with the gospel of Jesus Christ. While most Bible-preaching churches have some sort of nursing home outreach, statistics are such that it would require every church to have 14 nursing home ministries just to meet the current demand.
In 2010 the "baby boomer" generation began to turn 65. According to the Population Reference Bureau: "There were actually 76 million births in the United States from 1946 to 1964, inclusive, the 19 years usually called the "baby boom." (By contrast, there were only 66 million births, in a larger U.S. population, during the 19 years following the baby boom, which included the baby bust of the 1970s.)"
The "boomer" population has the potential of swelling nursing home capacities beyond belief. In our area, we are ministering in two facilities that are going to combine into a newly remodeled one that will have the ability to handle residents from both, as well as provide an increased quality of care. Nursing homes are getting ready to meet the need. Is your church?
Are you wondering why there is a picture of an empty nursing home bed? Every day we read the paper and notice that someone from one of the area nursing homes we minister in has slipped off into eternity. Sometimes it's someone who has been saved during one of our services, or someone who has followed the Lord throughout their life. Although they will be missed physically, we rejoice to know they are in Heaven. However, it is heartbreaking to see a name listed of one whom we were unsure about their relationship with the Lord. Thankfully, the Lord gives us fresh fruit for our labors. Recently a number of folks in several homes have responded to the gospel and placed their faith in Christ for salvation. The nursing home truly is a field that is "white unto harvest"......every day!
Our schedule is busy. In addition to preaching nearly every day in the nursing homes, I have accepted the responsibility of being the interim-pastor at the church out of which we operate our ministry. There is no financial compensation for this, but it is rewarding to see God working in the lives of this small congregation of committed believers who want to see God do something great among them. Our prayer would be that, as the church grows, God would eventually bring the right man along who can shepherd this flock and take it to higher ground. In the meantime, we would covet your prayers as we seek to fulfill our calling to reach the lost among the elderly in the nursing homes, and in the communities around the church.

Serving Him,

Missionary Pastor Norm Aabye