Indian Creek Foundation was built on a strong tradition of faith, and we are grateful for those who have been lifting us up in prayer for over 50 years. In the early days of Indian Creek’s history, Congregation Services was a primary department. This is because our organization was formed out of the local Mennonite congregations, and helping the individuals we serve find their spiritual home was just as important to our founders as helping them get settled in a household and vocation.
Today, those Mennonite principles continue to influence our values of serving with compassion, mutual respect, and Philosophy of Care through meaningful relationships. We rely on area churches and people of faith throughout the community to support us with their time, financial donations, and especially their prayer.
In September, our Faith Outreach Coordinator, Jim McCarty, felt it was time to elevate the role of public prayer for Indian Creek Foundation. Jim worked with retired Executive Director, Joe Landis, to organize monthly prayer meetings for area pastors, Indian Creek staff and residents, and faithful members of our community.
Time for Stories and Sharing
Our first Prayer Breakfast was held in September at Salford Mennonite Church in Harleysville. It was a small gathering, but it set the stage for many things to come. In October, our group grew quite a bit. This time, we not only had pastors and community members, but we also invited staff and a very special guest.
Carol Menser, who has been receiving support in one way or another since we incorporated in 1975, attended the breakfast and brought friends along to help share her story. Carol’s history with Indian Creek has been a powerful testimony of what individuals can achieve with the right support.
October’s breakfast was also an opportunity to introduce our new CEO, Dr. Tim Barksdale, to local pastors. Tim was excited to attend, meet more people who support our organization, and casually connect with the staff members who attended.
Our Director of Nursing, Susan Guida, said of the event, “The Prayer Breakfast was amazing! It was so nice to socially engage with everyone in such a meaningful and purposeful way!”
In November, our group grew even more. About 50 people attended, including more staff members and residents of Indian Creek. It was a joy to share a time of prayer, testimony, and encouragement among the people who are so important to our mission.
Breathing New Life into a Long Held Tradition
While faith activities have always been part of Indian Creek’s programming, the size and scope of events ebbed and flowed over the years. This new monthly Prayer Breakfast is a creative and inclusive program to keep Indian Creek in the minds and hearts of those who include us in their prayers. Our ongoing connections create opportunities for prayer about specific needs, putting names to faces, and developing friendships. We are continually adding new locations to our meeting list and inviting speakers who are passionate about the individuals we serve and work with.
As Faith Outreach Coordinator, Jim McCarty says, “Our purpose for this gathering is meant to provide prayer support for Indian Creek Foundation leadership, staff, and service recipients. The vision is that individuals from Indian Creek Foundation will attend as Ambassadors representing their own needs for prayer and their concerns. We are looking for local church support in this endeavor to find God’s direction and purpose for our work. The plan is to meet monthly in our local churches to share our message and our concerns for prayer. We will provide a pastor devotional from the community, then focus on prayer.”
If you are interested in attending our Prayer Breakfast, hosting a month at your place of worship, or learning more about getting involved in ministry opportunities that serve Indian Creek Foundation, please contact Jim McCarty at jmccarty@indcreek.org. We would be honored to have you join this special time of purposeful prayer over our organization. We are also seeking sponsors for these monthly meetings so that everyone can enjoy a lovely meal together. Visit our sponsorship page to learn more.
Would you like to know more about our history and how the local Mennonite congregations were integral to making Indian Creek Foundation the organization it is today? Our 50th Anniversary commemorative book, A Foundation of Friendship: 50 Years of Service, is available for purchase! Visit our 50th Anniversary Sale to get your copy.