Health ministry grows out of a renowned Minnesota institution

“Though some believe the ties to Anabaptist roots are disintegrating, patients at the Mayo Clinic find it comforting to visit with someone from a familiar faith tradition,” says David Brunner, pastor of the Rochester Mennonite Church in Minnesota.

David says his church began offering hospitality and pastoral care for the renowned Mayo Clinic’s patients and their families when friends, pastors, and family from ‘back home’ called as their loved ones traveled to Rochester for tests or treatment.

As the number of requests increased over the years, David developed a plan for offering care. “First, I meet them for lunch and let them know about our church and offer them undivided attention.” At that time, he learns how the congregation might help and explained to the guests how to find places around Rochester. At times, church members also provide emergency lodging and, in exceptional cases, small amounts of financial aid.

Pastoral care is the goal of this health ministry as people find themselves wrestling with anxiety, decisions, and pain. “Prayer, anointing services, holy conversation, ministry of presence, and invitations to Sunday worship are all components of our ministry of care,” says David.

Members of the congregation share in this ministry. Some have offered overnight lodging in their homes, others visit patients, and some provide a respite for families. “One of our households will even invite people to visit its llama farm,” David says.

Mayo and IBM brought a number of Mennonites to Rochester, leading to the formation of the Rochester fellowship. “From the beginning, extending care and hospitality to patients and their families has been an intentional part of our ministry,” David says. The congregation’s ties to Mayo are strong since its membership includes two active physicians, one retired physician, and several nurses and other workers who are employed there.

The church also makes the most of the patients’ ties back home. “We work with the home pastor and congregation in care giving, if the patient desires that,” David says.

And, of course, visiting families often participate – sometimes regularly – in Sunday morning worship at Rochester Mennonite. “Because of the nature of some illnesses, some are repeat visitors with us,” explains David. “One person spoke in our sharing time and said we were ‘my church family when I’m away from home.’”

Rochester Mennonite has received many letters of gratitude over the years, including one that contained a substantial sum of money. “We used that cash as seed for a fund that became a line item in our church budget,” says David. “We use the money as needed to provide hospitality, and we replenish the fund with occasional offerings.”

The Rochester fellowship has watched its health-care hospitality ministry grow quite slowly over the years – but that pace is just fine with them. The church considered publicizing its ministry, but hasn’t done so widely. This hospitality ministry is modestly mentioned on the church’s Web site: The church has been satisfied with growing by word of mouth, referrals from pastors, and feature stories in its regional conference paper.

And, the Rochester church is not alone, David says. Mennonite congregations in Iowa City, Phoenix, and other communities also extend this kind of unique pastoral care.
Does your church, or do you know of a church, with a similar ministry? If so, please share it in the comment section below.

Counsel for congregations considering health hospitality
When Teleios asked Pastor David Brunner for his counsel for congregations considering hospitality in health care ministry, he thoughtfully listed five points:

• Become intentional as a congregation about providing hospitality to those coming to your community for health care;
• Listen carefully to those in your church and community who are experienced in medical and social services;
• Understand the ministry of presence;
• Make your offer of hospitality known to the chaplaincy service of the medical facility; and
• Above all, be flexible. Your offer of hospitality will usually take you to unplanned places.