My name is Pastor Joel Pike, the new Chaplain at Lake Ridge Senior Health & Living. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting a few of you, and have many more to go!
I’m sure many of you will be missing Pastor Chuck, and that it’ll take some time getting used a new Chaplain! I hope to fill Pastor Chuck’s capable shoes while keeping my ears open to your needs as a community and the Holy Spirit’s leading!
November and December of this year are a bit of a ‘soft start’ for me as I wrap up some previous commitments. I will be here for 20 hours/week ‘til the end of the year when I’ll transition to 32 hours/week.
My wife, Renée, and our 4 kids have served as missionaries with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Minneapolis for the last 8 years. We lived locally on the YWAM campus near Rockford until the ministry moved to Eden Prairie last April, at which point we moved closer to Buffalo. YWAM Minneapolis is part of an interdenominational organization that raises up young people as missionaries and serves in every nation of the world. As a YWAM leader I do a lot of teaching, worship and prayer leading, as well as leading short term trips around the world. My favorite location is Pine Ridge, SD where we have consistent work with the Oglala Lakota Sioux. For the last year I’ve also served the Rockford United Presbyterian Church, preaching and leading worship once a month. Although most of my ministry has been with 18-20 year-old, I really enjoy seniors. I have been doing nursing home and hospital visits, care center services and senior ministry since I was a child with my father who was a pastor (and actually attended seminary with Pastor Chuck in the 1970’s!)
I first met Pastor Chuck and some of the dear folks here 2 years ago. My two youngest and I led a weekly Bible study and hymn-sing in the Pine Room until Covid put a stop to that. It’s been great to finally get back and see these friends again! When Pastor Chuck knew he was retiring he recommended I apply for his position. After a long and prayerful process, here I am!
I look forward to serving you as staff, as well as our residents and their families. I have a lot to learn, but my heart is to be a blessing to you and grow to be a part of this community. If you at all need prayer or a listening ear, or if you see needs among our residents that you think I could help with, please catch me in the halls or stop by my office in the Friendship Center!
Pastor Joel
