Serving in the Elderly Ministry, I very often have to officiate or attend funeral services. They give me lots of reminders and reflections. Recently, I officiated the funeral services of two seniors who were baptized in 1964 and 1968 respectively, well over half a century ago. One of them had lived through the war but his faith was steadfast. He insisted on going to church non-stop for tens of years until he was too weak to leave home. His children and grandchildren testified to his faith which was built upon his experience with God. The other senior converted when he was young. He got baptized and went abroad for further studies. But then, he did not go to church anymore. Decades passed. When he was on his sickbed, he remembered God and wanted to return to His fold. So, he contacted the church. All the same, I give thanks for this senior for he had grasped the hand of God in his final days, although he has missed years of experiencing His grace. How do we steadfastly run on the heavenly path so we can say what Paul said: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7), and then finally meet the Lord in peace? I believe keeping watch over oneself and the brothers and sisters around us is something believers have to learn for a lifetime.

       Among all the age groups in the NPAC family, elderly fellowships are the ones that see the highest attendance rates and are the most stable. Seniors really treasure their chances of meeting together and listening to the word of God. Sometimes they need the help of their domestic helpers or family members before they can come back to church. Some family members are not believers but they will take the seniors to church. Every time I see these seniors at church, I am happy and thankful that their health and physical conditions allow them to come back. This, of course, is if they have a heart to draw close to God. I am grateful to all the counselors of the elderly fellowships who, through the years, care for and serve the seniors so that they feel the warmth of a family every time they come to church. I often pray for the counselors. I pray that God will meet the needs of their mind, body and soul. Some of them still need to work and, at the same time, take care of their family and serve. Some others have retired. They in turn become seniors and have various health issues. Still others have even older members of the family to take care of. Their burden is very heavy. The Elderly Ministry indeed needs lots of volunteers to serve and help conduct the fellowships and visitations, as well as to care for those who are too weak to come to church. May the Lord prepare brothers and sisters who would love and care for our seniors to keep watch over them so that they too can experience the love and grace of God.

       Seniors do not just receive. With some training, they can still serve in various roles in fellowships. Despite their various constraints, they still insist on attending church meetings, testifying for God through their actions. They are indeed other believers’ role models. Senior believers who do not have good health can pray for the church and brothers and sisters. God’s will for seniors is this: “Planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green” (Psalm 92:13-14). Senior believers need to grow, too, so that they can persist in trusting God in facing all the losses and illnesses, continue to bear fruit, and receive the blessings of God and bless others.