June 22, 2023

Dear Brothers,

We are very excited to inform you about a new collaborative endeavour that is taking place amongst members of local Reformed churches. For too long now, our community has been without a Christian long-term care centre. Possibilities exist for elderly members or those with disabilities within our churches to reside in Christian independent-living facilities (e.g. Elim), but once they require a higher level of care (for severe stroke, dementia, advanced multiple sclerosis, etc), they are relegated to a government-run facility.

It is the mission of “BeLoved Care” to change that. The apostle John writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7a). We are motivated by God’s gracious love for us, helpless sinners in need of mercy. Our mission is to create a Reformed Christian long-term care home that would enable families, the communion of saints, and local churches to show Godly love and mercy to the elderly and infirm in our midst who require that higher level of care.

There is already a large need for this level of care within our collective congregations. Numerous individuals in the local Reformed churches currently require this specialized care, and are scattered in various government-run facilities that often leave much to be desired. By uniting together in a common mission to provide a quality Christian Home for our needy loved ones, we believe it is a real possibility.

We write to you to ask for your blessing on this endeavour and to please keep this matter in your prayers. Feedback, suggestions and questions are always welcome. We also request to place information about this organization in your local bulletins and/or social media outlets. If your church hosts a deacons’ “Seniors Coffee” or similar event, we would also love the opportunity to do an informal presentation to the seniors in your midst. Lastly, we would welcome a small note of endorsement that we can include on our upcoming website.

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:9,10).
In Christ,

BeLoved Care board members

Trinity Reformed Church
1100 40 Ave. N
Lethbridge, Alberta  T1H 6B7

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October 4, 2023

RE: Letter of Support for BeLoved Care

Dear BeLoved Care board members,

Galatians 6:10 states “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” The council of Trinity Reformed Church supports the works and plans of BeLoved Care to create a Christian long-term care centre. It is abundantly clear that the work of the board is guided by scripture, to promote action in accordance with the Word, and to promote the dignity of human life at all stages.

We acknowledge that many secular institutions have shifted to a diminished view of people. They value people based on monetary worth/cost and their perceived contributions to society. These beliefs have ushered in a trend of euthanasia for the elderly and the severely ill, a truly condemnable practice. These beliefs have also debased the care and treatment that patients receive at many of these institutions. BeLoved Care, in contrast, is building a foundation on the truth that all people are created in the image of God, having inherent dignity. Our council is encouraged by the comprehensive thinking of BeLoved Care that seeks to care for the entire well-being of individuals including the need for spiritual care.

Our council also appreciates that this endeavour is shared with other Reformed churches. Projects such as this remind us that we all serve the same Lord and Saviour who “is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church.” (Colossians 1:17, 18a).

As a council, we commit to praying for the work of BeLoved Care and to promote this group within our congregation. We also look forward to future interactions with the board to explore ways we can collaborate with and support the efforts of creating a Christian long-term care centre in the Lethbridge area.

We wish you God’s blessings and strength as you labour to make this a reality.

In service to Christ,

The Council of Trinity Reformed Church,

To: The Board of BeLoved Care

January 15, 2023

The Council of the Canadian Reformed Church at Coaldale is appreciative of the work being
done by BeLoved Care with a view toward establishing a Christian care home for the elderly in
the Reformed Christian community of Southern Alberta. We are supportive of the board’s stated
objectives in assisting Reformed Christian families in the care of the elderly in our midst in a
Christ-centred environment, in obedience to God’s command. We are thankful for the thorough
foundation that has been already laid by the board. As we are all made in the image of God,
and we are to care for one another spiritually and physically, we are in agreement with and in
support of the stated purpose, beliefs, and foundational principles of BeLoved Care.

May God bless the work of your hands in this exciting endeavor,

Council
Coaldale Canadian Reformed Church
Coaldale, Alberta

March 8, 2024

Thank you so much for taking the time to present your plans to us for an assisted living facility in our area. We are grateful that there are people like yourselves that are compelled to undertake such an endeavor as this. We wholeheartedly agree that this is a much needed service in our local Reformed community.

With that we would like to express our support for this project. In its fledgling stages, we support this endeavor in principle and in prayer. The Lord willing, as it comes to fruition we would intend to
support it financially as well.

We pray for the Lord’s blessing in this work going forward in the hopes of building up our community and providing a place where the elderly and those who cannot look after themselves would receive the loving care that they need. May God bless you in this task.

With Christian greetings,

Consistory with the Deacons
Taber Canadian Reformed Church

To the board of Beloved Care:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
2 Corinthians 4:16, 17 NKJV

We know that on this side of heaven we will face adversities. Some of us will have a long and healthy life while others will face the challenges of getting older. That is why these types of facilities are important. When Christ is the center of any project, we should be supporting this.

We would like to advise you that Grace Reformed Church of Lethbridge, AB is willing to support, both financially and through prayer, Beloved Care and its desire to build an Extendicare facility. We believe this to be a very necessary and important work in the plans that God has for us. Those who face these challenges in this life can both be a witness and a blessing to all those involved. May the Lord richly bless you in this endeavor.

Thank you for this opportunity,

The council of Grace Reformed Church
Lethbridge, AB

Dear BeLoved Care Board Members,

Thank you for presenting to us your plans for a Christian Long Term Care Home. In our culture the value of human life is under attack. There are many among us who have complex care needs and we believe they would greatly benefit from such a facility. Those with complex care needs would be able to live out their last days in comfort and safety, knowing that they are a valued member of our society. The families whose loved ones require 24 hour care will also be supported in knowing that their loved one are in a Christian focused care facility.

The Granum Christian Reformed Church Council supports the Beloved Care Board in their stated endeavor. We pray that the Lord would bless this proposed project and grant His wisdom to the Beloved Care Board Members in its planning.

In service to Christ,

Granum Christian Reformed Church Council

December 7, 2023

BeLoved Care

Dear Committee Members,

Thank you for your letter regarding your endeavour to provide long term
care within the Reformed community.

We agree that this is a need and heartily endorse this initiative. We will
remember this in prayer and pray for a blessing on these plans. We look
forward to a presentation to our Council and will be pleased to post your
information in our bulletin and social media.

Christian greetings,

On behalf of Bethel Free Reformed Church

To: Beloved Care Reformed Community

November 21, 2024

Dear Board Members,

We would like to thank you that Ben Maljaars was willing to do a brief presentation at our November 7, 2024 consistory meeting regarding plans on starting a care facility in the area. We discussed the initiative during a previous meeting and had a few questions. Thankfully, the presentation and questions afterwards, made things clear enough to see the value and the need for such a care facility.

Therefore, by means of this letter, we would like to let you know that we endorse the idea and pray that, once these plans have become reality, it may become a blessing for the elderly residents.

On behalf of Shiloh Free Reformed Church of Picture Butte, Alberta,

G. Van de Haar

Clerk

January 27, 2025

Dear Beloved Care Board Members,

Greetings in the name of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.

After some initial conversations around Beloved Care at our fall leadership meetings, here at the Iron Springs Christian Reformed Church, we were thankful for the opportunity to welcome Beloved Care Board Executive Director Melanie Harthoorn to our November 25, 2024, meeting of council.

Both Melanie’s presentation and her ability to provide clear answers to our questions, served as great encouragement to us. Beloved Care’s mission was represented with great enthusiasm, thankfulness, and powerful testimony about how God has been at work shaping this vision for Christ-centered care.

Seeing how the board’s work is both faithful to the Bible and faithful to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we give thanks for the creation of a place where life is affirmed, cared for in the name of Jesus, and helped to flourish by loving the aged and infirm as image-bearers of God who created them.

Having a home where faith values, tradition, and practices are shared or well-known, will no doubt help in providing comfort, familiarity, and encouragement to residents. We realize it will also serve to bless family members and extended families.

In a world where we witness so much disunity, we believe Beloved Care is a space where effort is made “to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). It is a space where covenant baptism identity is shared and expressed (Acts 2; Romans 5). And it is a space where all things “whether in word or deed” will be done “in the name of the lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3: 17).

We are glad to express our support and pray God will continue to lead by His Holy Spirit so that the body of Jesus Christ is continually built up. We look forward to learning how the Lord is blessing the work of your hands.

Grace & Peace,

Mr. Gys Vanden Pol, Council Chair

On behalf of the Iron Springs Christian Reformed Church Council

March 1 , 2025

On behalf of the Nobleford Christian Reformed Church, I am writing to express our heartfelt support for your mission to provide compassionate and Christ-centered care for those at the end of life. We are truly excited to join together as Christians from various Reformed denominations in this vital work, serving the loved ones in our congregations and beyond.

One of the core tenets of our faith is the understanding that family members are the primary caregivers for their loved ones. We recognize the indispensable role families play in providing comfort and support during this sacred journey. In addition to family involvement, the communion of saints also provides significant encouragement, as fellow believers come alongside us to lend their love and support to the elderly in need.

We are thankful for Beloved Care’s commitment to supporting families and churches in this mission, recognizing the deep emotional and spiritual challenges faced by those at the end of life. For individuals who can no longer remain in their own homes, it is of utmost importance that their new living environment is aligned with their religious beliefs. An explicitly Christian setting reduces confusion and fosters a sense of well-being—elements that are essential as individuals confront the realities of aging and transition.

We are particularly encouraged to see that Beloved Care places a significant emphasis on hiring Christian nurses who share our values. Incorporating Scripture reading, prayer, and song into the daily lives of residents will enrich their experiences and instill a spirit of hope and peace in the atmosphere. It is essential that this environment reflects the identity we hold as Christians, allowing those we care for to feel rooted in their faith throughout their final days.

Moreover, we deeply appreciate Beloved Care’s commitment to keeping couples together and allowing individuals to age in place. This not only honors their relationships but also honors their dignity and wishes, providing them with the support they need in the familiar company of their loved ones.

In closing, we are grateful for the mission of Beloved Care, and we look forward to working alongside you to provide meaningful, faith-filled care for our elderly community members. May God bless this endeavor and grant us the strength and wisdom to serve those in need.

In Christ’s love,

The Council of the Nobleford Christian Reformed Church