St. Paul’s new Faith & Wellness Ministry is taking shape around a simple but powerful idea: caring for the whole person —body, mind, and spirit. For Kelley Keller and Lance Keirn, two of the nurses helping lead the effort, this isn’t just a new ministry; it is a natural extension of decades spent caring for others. It’s also one expression of living generously using the gifts and experience God has given us to care for others.

Called to Care

With nearly 50 years in nursing —spanning everything from the joy of labor and delivery to the intensity of trauma surgery and the sacredness of hospice—Kelley has walked with people through life’s most vulnerable moments. “That experience shapes exactly how I want to support our church family here at St. Paul,” she says.

Lance brings a complementary perspective, shaped by 15 years as a Registered Nurse in the ICU, ER, and nursing supervision. His interest in this kind of ministry resurfaced last fall when he mentioned parish nursing in a church health survey, something he had been familiar with since the 1990s. “It felt like an opportunity to bring professional experience into the life of the church in a practical way,” Lance says. “I thought this could really help people.”

Support for the Journey

As the ministry continues to develop, the focus remains simple: what do people really need? “We’re still asking that question,” Kelley says. “Is it advocacy? Guidance? We want to listen well and understand where support is needed most.”

Lance says the goal is to help people feel comfortable asking questions, whether they’re simple concerns or more difficult conversations. “We’re creating a place where there are no stupid questions and zero judgment,” he says.

Start Here: The First Gathering

Join us and learn more about how this ministry plans to support individuals and families at St. Paul. The kickoff gathering will take place Wednesday, June 3, from 1–2:30 p.m. in the DOCK on the Downtown Campus and will include light exercise, a short devotion, a practical talk on spiritual growth, and an open "Ask a Nurse" session.

While this kickoff is just the beginning, it sets the stage for a year of additional gatherings, activities, and ongoing support. Whether you attend Downtown or Summit, you are invited to be part of everything to come. Healthcare can be complex, but you don’t have to figure it out by yourself—the Faith & Wellness Ministry is here to walk alongside you.