Purpose

The purpose of our Hospital Visitation ministry is to look after those who are suffering from an illness.  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. — Matthew 25:36

Visiting and Caring for the Sick in the Early Church

The early church was reminded of the sayings of the Lord.  In Matthew 25:36, Jesus reminds the church (then and today) of the importance of ministering to the sick. The church was given specific instructions to care for the sick in the name of the Lord:

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. — James 5:13-14

The church regarded visiting, caring and praying for the sick as important tasks. At the end of the 1st century there is a number of early church writings that indicate the Roman church prayed with a clear echo of Matthew. 8:17:

When Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: "He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases." — Matthew 8:14-17

Therefore with reference to the Lord's example of carrying our diseases the early church admonished Christians to do likewise.  For example the "Book of Clement" 39 refer explicitly to the fact that the elders and deacons are to visit the sick, to pray over them, and to do what is needed to care for them. There are other historical writings that indicate non-believers would leave sick relatives alone and when death appeared, they would dispose of their bodies on the streets.  However, Christians devoted themselves to ministering to the sick and dying even non-believers to the point of self-sacrifice.[1]

Do you need or know of someone who needs a hospital visit?

Often a hospital visit does not occur because we are unaware of someone being in the hospital.  So please give us a call and let us know if you have an upcoming hospital stay and would like a visit.

You can call us at (512) 312-5900 or send us an email at southernhills@txwinet.com to set up a visit.  

Lifeline Chaplaincy

A New Hospital Ministry is in the Austin Area called Lifeline Chaplaincy.  For more information follow the following link: Lifeline Chaplaincy or call (888) 767-6363.