Several months ago I had the opportunity to meet with Dr. Bill Palmiter, the Lead Chaplain Coordinator for the TriStar Skyline Medical Center. As you might imagine, the last few years have been difficult ones for anyone in the medical field, and Bill has been on the front lines of it all. Even so, I was so encouraged and burdened for the great need in Nashville for committed believers to minister in our hospitals. I asked Bill for an update on the work in the hospitals, and he gave this report:
The Spirit of the Living God is very active in the volunteer chaplain ministry at TriStar Skyline Hospital. Since last December, there have been 35 patients who have chosen to begin a vital relationship with God through Jesus Christ. The Lord gave me the privilege of baptizing four of them. Because the hospital is provisionally certified for Trauma Level I, the spiritual needs of the hospital have grown exponentially. There is a critical need for the people of God to represent the God who loves His children in the midst of a medical crisis. Quite honestly, this may be the first time patients confront their own mortality. It is a prime time to evaluate one’s relationship to God. Volunteer chaplains provide spiritual and emotional support to patients, their families, and hospital staff and are available for emergency situations.
One of my first questions to newly admitted patients is: “Does your pastor, minister, or priest know you are here at the hospital?” The vast majority of patients are 50 years of age and older and answer that because of their medical issues and high medical bills on their fixed income, their spiritual leader does not know who they are because they can’t attend worship and can’t afford to contribute financially as they formerly did. This is true across denominational lines. So at one of the most critical times in a person’s life, there is a feeling of being alone.
If you have training in pastoral care or are spiritually gifted in pastoral care, prayerfully consider joining God in caring for God’s children when they need to experience God’s Presence and His love the most!
This is a wonderful opportunity for both professional clergy and lay people to serve as ambassadors for Christ when people are at their greatest need. Bill's program provides all the training needed; the only thing necessary is the willingness to be a voice for the gospel. Please pass on this need to your congregation; for those interested in learning more, contact Bill at Bill.Palmiter@HCAhealthcare.com.
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Michael Kelley
Executive Director