REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH HOME
TO THE 102nd ANNUAL CONFERENCE
TO THE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP CHURCH
The Board of Directors of the Bible Fellowship Church Home held four regular meetings, one special meeting and numerous committee meetings during the year. Bert N. Brosius served as President and Chairman; John Dunn, Vice President and Vice Chairman; Robert Zentz, Secretary; and Charles Hersh as Treasurer.
This past year, as in several recent previous years, has been difficult. Many difficult decisions had to be made. Many presentations and long discussions were held with various governmental agencies. Some disappointments and yet always a gleam of hope.
Psalm 145:5 “I will speak of the glorious honour of thy majesty and of thy wondrous works”. To live life without hope is to live a life of desolation. When one’s hope is anchored in the Lord, we have his sure promises that even if our expectations are not achieved, his purposes will be accomplished. Paul in I Corinthians, 9:10 speaks of the farmer as he plants and harvests in hope, we should always be partaker of that hope. We have plowed, planted and prayed in hope – hope in God and His provision – that we would realize the “harvest” of a new nursing home and retirement center. Let us remain steadfast in our hope and one day realize the harvest.
The primary purpose of the Bible Fellowship Church Home is the care of the elderly and needy in a Christian environment. The principles of such a program will be honoring to the Lord and beneficial to the residents.
The staff must again receive the highest commendation for each one’s committment and loyalty. This is manifested in a spirit of cooperation with the Administration as well as with each other. This cooperative attitude is manifested to the residents as well and results in a real sense of caring. Special mention must be made of Mrs. Gail Beil who filled the gap as secretary/bookkeeper as well as her regular duties during the recent illness of the business manager.
The volunteers must again be cited for their contributions of time and talents to the Home, especially the activities program. Also, it should be noted that men from the Grace Bible Fellowship Church, Nazareth assisted in moving, repairing and replacing equipment before and after the demolition of the old apartment house.
The Bible Fellowship Churches are to be commended and thanked for their contribution and interest manifested in the work and programs of the Home. The weekly worship services are appreciated by the residents. Commendation should also be given to the Grace United Methodist Church of Pen Argyl which has been giving a substantial annual contribution.
The residents census has remained stable throughout the year, however the number of Medicaid residents is slightly increasing.
The financial status of the Home remains viable as reflected in the financial statement.
This past year, the old apartment house was demolished and the property appropriately landscaped. A new air conditioning and water system was installed in the Home and much needed repairs to the sidewalks was done.
The Koinonia Manor and retirement center project is moving forward slowly. After the project was rejected by Health Systems Lehigh County Sub-area Council, the Health Systems Planning Committee and the Area Wide Health Systems Board, verbal confirmation of our application was given by the Pennsylvania Department of Health pending zoning approval.
The project is presently being processed through the various committees and Boards in the Upper Saucon Township. Financing at reasonable rates appears obtainable and achievable. If zoning is granted by the end of this year, there is a strong probability that ground breaking may occur in the Spring of 1986.
The Board of Directors adopted a mission statement for the Koinonia Manor and Retirement Center which reflects its purpose, ministry and who we will serve:
Bible Fellowship Church Home is a ministry of the Bible Fellowship Church which acts in obedience and witness to the love of Jesus Christ.
This ministry selects and works in areas of human need in order to:
Provide supervised and coordinated health care for the elderly and incapacitated.
Enrich and strengthen the quality of life for the elderly.
Encourage and support the renewal of the church and family in its concern for the elderly.
This ministry pursues these purposes as a servant and a leader and in cooperation with other service organizations. It functions through the efforts of qualified employed and volunteer personnel working under appropriate professional direction within limits that assure high standards of effectiveness.
The Board of Directors wish to express appreciation to the Administrator, James Beil. This has been a most difficult year, yet it has been a year of earnest hard work, much prayer, spiritual growth and hope. James Beils’ loyalty and dedication to this ministry has been an inspiration to each of us. We thank the Lord that James Beil and his wife Gail have been called to this ministry and look forward to working with him as we continue to wait on the Lord for further developments of the Koinonia Manor and the Retirement Center.
The Board of Directors request your faithful and earnest prayers for the Administrator, James Beil, the residents, the staff and the affairs related to the future of the Bible Fellowship Church Home.
Bert E. Brosius, Bert N. Brosius, John Dunn, Charles Hersh, Benjamin Pattison, Keith E. Plows, Robert W. Smock, Dana E. Weller and Robert Zentz.