Dear friends of Vital Signs Ministries, September 2026
“You Make Living Here Easier.”
Last week brought us one of the most moving and unforgettable moments in the entire 16-year history of our “When Swing Was King” ministry. Let me set the scene. The show had gone wonderfully. We had entertained an audience of about 20 residents of one of the senior living facilities we play every month. Several of those people had been escorted in by staff from the facility’s memory care unit. Everyone had enjoyed our presentation of music, photographs, and the interactive, interesting, and fun narration that accompanies them. Indeed, not a person left without thanking us and complimenting the quality of the show. (We are delighted to say, that’s the common response to every “When Swing Was King” and, believe me, we never tire of hearing it!) Also quite typical is that a few people linger afterwards to enjoy a friendly chat with us about the show, memories it stirred up in their minds, and whatever else might come up in conversation.
And that’s where, coming out of a heartwarming conversation after a show last week, that this particularly striking statement came. We had been talking over several subjects with one couple about their hometown, their fathers, their participation in 4H when they were kids, and the “When Swing Was King” edition they had just enjoyed. But, as the husband prepared to direct his wife’s wheelchair towards the exit, she turned and said to us, “Thank you again for coming. You know, you make living here easier.”
Wow — really? Can sharing a bit of music and pictures and casual friendship over the course of just one hour make that dramatic a difference in someone’s life? Yes, it can. For when your whole world has shrunk into the strict confines of a nursing home (or even an independent senior center), just a small investment of one’s time and attention and kindness can pay huge dividends in the life of someone dealing with loneliness, boredom, feeling pushed aside and forgotten — let alone someone struggling with pain, depression, confusion, fear, and the suspicion that they no longer matter to anyone.
Thus it is that the “mercy ministries” directed to seniors that have been a part of Vital Signs Ministries since our Omaha Christian Action Council origins, are highly unusual things. Way too unusual. For whereas in decades gone by, Christians from local churches often engaged in services to those living in the “old people’s homes” scattered throughout their town — as did adults from civic organizations and kids from local schools, Scout, and 4H groups. But nowadays? That’s rarely happening. Alas, even the local churches have become indifferent. Seniors in freestanding facilities (along with homebound elderly and infirm) just don’t appear on the church’s radar screens. Therefore, it is very rare that the elderly, weak, and lonely folks in these places have the chance for meaningful connections with the outside world.
And no — parking people in wheelchairs in front of a big TV doesn’t count.
And that’s why Vital Signs’ activities in this sphere are so unusual. Not because our “When Swing Was King” outreach is uniquely outstanding (though it is relevant, physically and spiritually therapeutic, and heartwarming to the max), and not because it’s so widespread (though we now present shows at 11 senior facilities every month), and not because it’s so generous (though “When Swing Was King” is always given completely free of charge). No, what’s really unusual is just that we’re there! We care enough about these seniors (and about the many biblical commands regarding empathy and practical care for the aged, the widows, the lonely and forgotten) that we actually show up!
The same is true of our church services every Sunday afternoon at Aksarben Village Senior Living. Many of the residents there yearned for religious services but because they couldn’t go out and because no one would come to them — the activity director had asked many churches for assistance, including ones that were within blocks of the facility — the residents’ hopes went unfulfilled. But then the activity director thought of us. She deeply respected us for the work we put into the “When Swing Was King” shows we presented there every month and she knew we were popular with the residents. She also knew the intensity of our Christian convictions. And so she worked up the courage to ask, “Hey, Denny & Claire. I know you two are super busy with so many great things but, since I know that your Christianity is really important to you and that Denny does some preaching at churches and writes about religion, do you think you might ever be able to do a church service for our people here?”
Well, we said yes. And we’ve been “doing church” there at Aksarben Village for 5 and 1/2 a half years now. We won’t ever catch up to the 16 years that we’ve been doing “When Swing Was King” shows. And the total of even both of these VSM outreaches can’t catch up to the many, many years of the “mercy ministries” that preceded them at Mercy Care Center, Immanuel Fontanelle Home, and Life Care Center.
Again, it’s the sad indifference of modern culture (accepted by even Christians who should know better) that makes Vital Signs’ “mercy ministries” so unusual. But then that’s true also of our various ministries directed to protecting preborn kids endangered by abortionists, or speaking the truth in love to the general culture about the truths of Holy Scripture, or promoting the gospel message of Jesus Christ itself. It’s the “ministry of presence” that’s most important to God. It’s not your personality or spiritual gifts, your age or experience, your education or connections. It’s just showing up. Just being there — in the power and love of the Holy Spirit — to lend a helping hand in whatever ways you can.
Let me give you an example. I’ve often remarked that if you want to be a “star” in Christian ministry, all you have to do is go make a visit to a nursing home. And, if you are ambitious enough to want to be a “superstar” in ministry, visit a nursing home with a kid or a dog! Such experiences demonstrate how simple, yet how profound love in action (including the ministry of mere presence) can be.
But let me tell you, one of the keenest disappointments related to our years of “mercy ministries” is how unsuccessful we have been in inspiring other Christians to pursue like-minded services to the marginalized, lonely, and hurting seniors in their midst. We have always hoped and prayed that our various activities would inspire, even suggest practical applications, to other believers: churches, Sunday School groups, families, pro-life organizations, families. No such luck.
Over the years I have asked many church audiences, “How many of you could direct me to the nursing home or assisted living center nearest your home or church?” 75% of the hands go up. I then follow up. “Excellent. Now how many of you could direct me, once I got inside the place, to find the director or activity coordinator?” You guessed it. The hands all go down. You can guess why — they’ve never actually entered the place. Whether it’s due to discomfort or fear or lack of confidence or, let’s face it, varying degrees of self-centeredness, Christians are keeping the old folks out-of-sight and thus out-of-mind. No Bible studies. No visitation. No efforts at creating intergenerational friendships, as introducing kids and teenagers to older people. No efforts from local church leadership to inspire parishioners (by precept and example), to equip them, and to help organize compassionate ministries to seniors in profound need of such mercies.
“You make living here easier.” My friends, making a big difference is not that difficult.
If you are interested in beginning even an occasional ministry to seniors, there are several sources of inspiration and information on the Vital Signs Ministries website and Vital Signs Blog. Also, you could always see a slice of the action by accompanying us at one of our “When Swing Was King” shows (the schedule is always on the VSM website) or (again, even occasionally) joining the support team at our Sunday afternoon church service. And, of course, we are always available to talk to you about other ways you could serve in “mercy ministries.” Trust me, the “ministry of presence” is beautiful, blessed, and wide open!
Okay, before I leave off with this letter, let me quickly recap a few of August’s other activities. And because our “personal lives” are so thoroughly (and pleasantly) intertwined with our “ministry lives”, I’ll just throw ‘em all together in one brief paragraph. Here we go. August saw us enjoying more online courses from Hillsdale College; enjoying meals and/or coffees with friends and colleagues (including Deb Harrold, John Malek, Dave & JoAnne Pugh, Dan & Cheryl Hauge, and Ralph Tate); there were our prayers and public pro-life witness outside Planned Parenthood; the compiling and posting of The Top 5 Plus every week; a full schedule of “When Swing Was King” plus securing 3 new places to present our shows; lawn work (including mowing our neighbor’s lawn); doing an interview for Global Friends about our entertaining international students; taking a lunch to friends just removed from a hospital; a lot of social media and correspondence; good times at our Aksarben Village church services; reading; recording sermons to upload on the Vital Signs Ministries media; hosting a Hobbit High Tea at our home for several very good friends; and prepping for the last week of August when Claire and I will be spending a few days in the Colorado mountains.
And so that’s it for this month. We send this along with our abiding gratitude for your prayers, support, and encouragements. Thank you so much! Blessings…
