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News Releases
Mercy Volunteer’s Ministry Brings a Family Together
February 16, 2009
 Thomas Stout and his daughter Ellen are photographed with members of Church of the Apostles. Glover Barnes has brought together this family through his ministry and volunteerism at Mercy Medical. Pictured are sitting Ellen Stout, Thomas Stout, Reverend Robert Seawall, back Dan Chapman, Debbie Hanson, Marsha Hawarah, Glover Barnes, George O’Koth, Reverend March Di Cristina, and Henry Seawall. |
“I asked the Holy Spirit to direct me in my path and I started making contacts and friends at Mercy. They now know when I’m coming. I like to pray with people and bring the hope that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings,” explained Barnes. “When I go into a room to talk to residents and meet families, I try to include everyone and let them know we truly care, that Mercy Medical cares, that I care and that the nurses care. We pray for the nurses and the people that care for them,” said Barnes.
Barnes has met many long-term care residents and skilled nursing and hospice patients since he started volunteering last July. One resident, Thomas Stout, has become a close friend.
“I got in touch with Mr. Stout because I visited people and we developed a relationship. This is wonderful relationship, as he appreciates people. My church and I have reached out to Thomas in a special way. We transport him to church every Sunday, to bible study weekly, and to special events. My church is an incredibly caring, loving community with about 200 members,” stated Barnes.
Church of the Apostles, of Daphne, Ala. is a faith based community focused on planting the Gospel, equipping servant leaders, assisting the poor, caring for the sick and educating the next generation.
“My church has been a tremendous blessing of healing for me. I had gone through a tough time. Volunteering has also helped. You receive much more than you give. Since I met with Thomas, I wanted his daughter, who has disabilities, to see him. She is his only family. My desire was to put the two of them together as a family unit. My church will be taking her to Sunday service as well and will be making arrangements for them to have lunch each Sunday. Putting families back together is so important. The family can do more than I can do,” said Barnes.
Volunteering for Barnes has impacted his life. He experiences the healing and goodness that happens when you have done something for someone who can never repay you.
“Thomas is an ordinary man who is very special because of the love in his heart for his fellow man. He enjoys his walk with Christ, his faith, his focus on the Church and wants to encourage other people to have the same experience. He is an incredibly appreciative person. He fully recognizes what we are doing and totally appreciates it and lets it be known,” said Barnes.
Mercy volunteers play a vital role in the care of the community. Whether assisting in rehabilitation, long-term care, assisted living, hospice, or helping with fundraising through events and programs, there’s a place to serve at Mercy Medical. Mercy volunteers are from many walks-of-life including homemakers, students, lawyers, college professors, teachers, nurses, physicians, engineers, and others. Someone new to the area or someone who has had a lifestyle change, make ideal volunteers. Other volunteer candidates include high school students in Key Clubs or college students studying nursing, occupational, speech or recreational therapies, or similar rehabilitation fieldwork who need volunteer hours.
For more information about volunteering at Mercy Medical call Judy Hazelton at
621-4445 or email volunteer@mercymedical.com.
