W. Chicago ministry brings worship, Bible study to people with disabilities

At area homes for people with developmental disabilities, residents may not have access to church worship activities or a staff chaplain.

That's a void now filled by a local ministry called Voice of Care, which brings in pastoral and musical support for spiritual care, worship and Bible study.

The West Chicago-based organization was formally launched in 2003, but has been a ministry of the Northern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod since 1976.

"There's such a need for this ministry," said the Rev. Mark Bussert, director of development. "And it's not about coercion -- we hold the services in a common room where people can attend voluntarily."

The weekly visits to nine sites reach anywhere from 300 to 500 people, the size of a church congregation, Bussert added.

Residents of the homes enjoy the guitar music of the Rev. Don Kretzschmar, the organization's founder, and flute music by Deaconess Jana Knight.

The weekly programs usually include puppets, visuals and simple Bible studies. The organization is always in need of more volunteers, Bussert said, and training is available to church workers who would be willing to serve in those settings.

The ministry visits secular residential facilities, including the Ray Graham Association in Villa Park and Addison, Marklund Children's Home in Bloomingdale and the Marklund Center in Geneva.

Other sites are located in Niles, Westchester, Hillside, Rolling Meadows and Bellwood.

"It's a fact that 90 percent of people with developmental disabilities don't have a connection with a church," Bussert said. "Churches can't always accommodate the physical and behavioral needs of this population."

However, the Voice of Care staff is always willing to help organize a church program if there's interest in serving this population, he added.

The organization also provides counseling for families undergoing the stress of raising a child with developmental disabilities.

"These families have a high divorce rate," he said. "They have to deal with guilt about what went wrong or they try to place blame. It's stressful on a marriage."

Other ministries operated by Voice of Care include a camping ministry for children and adults with developmental disabilities at a facility in Kingston, Ill.; caregiver support and annual events for families; training for professional church workers and lay people to teach, counsel and serve the developmentally disabled; and classes for congregations to make the word of God more accessible for people with developmental disabilities.

Fundraising activities have included an annual golf tournament and the organization receives support from individual donors and churches.

For details about services and future events, visit www.VoiceOfCare.org or call (630) 231-3862.