By Aaron Meraz
GuideStone Financial Resources
One Year.
That’s how long it was for retired pastor Homer Hinson and his wife, Doris, to touch each other due to COVID-19 restrictions in Homer’s nursing home.
“We blew kisses through the window to each other every day,” Doris said.
“Being married for 57 years, it was hard not being allowed to touch, hug or kiss him.”
Homer was a pastor for almost 40 years in South Carolina, serving bivocationally for the most part.
“God always sent us to churches that were struggling, and Homer and I would give all that we could to each one,” Doris said.
After spending a few years leading a church full-time, Homer suffered two heart attacks and had to resign.
Feeling like the Lord was not done with him, he was called as pastor of a smaller church, but his health continued to decline.
“We just felt like we were going to keep going until we couldn’t go anymore,” Doris reminisced.
As Homer’s health declined due to major surgeries, he became disabled and had to retire.
With little to retire on, Doris began reading about GuideStone’s Mission:Dignity ministry.
“I called and heard the voice of an angel telling me there was help on the way,” Doris said through tears.
Through Mission:Dignity, Southern Baptist ministers, workers and widows who are age 65 or older and qualify for financial assistance are eligible to receive between $225 and $600 per month, an annual Christmas Check and assistance for emergencies (medical bills, eyeglasses, hearing aids, house repair, etc.).
With Mission:Dignity Sunday approaching June 27, churches, small groups and individuals have an opportunity to give “double honor” (1 Tim. 5:17) to Homer and Doris and more than 2,500 retirement-age pastors, workers and widows in the SBC.
GuideStone provides free bulletin inserts, promotional posters and a DVD with several brief testimonies of people assisted by Mission:Dignity. The materials are not dated and can be used on June 27 or anytime.
Ways to give
How can churches, small groups or individuals get involved?
- Download or order free resources at MDSunday.org or by texting MDORDER to 41444 from a mobile device.
- Share app.mobilecause.com/vf/MDSUNDAY to set goals, make donations and encourage friends to donate using the power of crowdfunding.
- Give directly to these recipients in need by texting MDSUNDAY to 41444.
Every dollar of each gift to Mission:Dignity refreshes people like Homer and Doris.
Upon Homer and Doris’ reunion, they hugged, kissed through their masks and held hands as they talked.
A little later, Doris picked up her mail, and a check was there from Mission:Dignity paying for some emergency needs. Doris said with a smile, “I felt doubly blessed.”
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