At the threshold of a new century, Eben Ezer continues to meet changing needs while remaining committed to its mission of Christian care. Today, the long-term nursing section is no longer the largest group of people served. Eben Ezer is a multi-level care facility providing service for needs ranging from fully independent living to intensive nursing care. In addition the center provides federally subsidized low rent senior housing, Lifeline, in-home services, and child day-care.

The Arbor is for residents who want independent living. Click here to learn more about the Arbor.

Among programs that lend uniqueness to the care provided at Eben Ezer are physical and occupational therapy. Let by therapists contracted from East Morgan County Hospital, the therapy programs assure participants life a their highest level of functional ability. There is also the activity department that has general programs as well as activity leaders for each wing who plan activities according to specific resident needs.

All Saints Church occupies the center of the Eben Ezer complex both physically and spiritually. Concern for the total person, spirit as well as body, has been a core difference between similar facilities and Eben Ezer since its inception. Spiritual care is ensured by the work of Chaplaincy, which provides spiritual programming, individual pastoral care for residents and a liaison between resident and home congregation.

In response to the needs of people who now enter long term care closer to the end of life, the Eben Ezer Auxiliary, together with staff and resident family donations, funded the creation of a room for end-of-life care. Since the completion of "Pilgrim's Rest" in 2000, the room has been in constant use. Further, a second room for end-of-life care was furnished in 2002 by a grateful family, whose loved one had occupied the first "Pilgrim's Rest."

The leadership of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center envisions an expansion of services through development of land west of the campus. A new vision is being explored, one of a multi-use building housing medical, dental, and mental health services. Needs for specialized types of housing for the elderly or families caring for an elderly member are being explored for inclusion in the possible development.

Madsen/Hansen are the assisted care portion of Eben Ezer's services. To learn more about Madsen/Hansen, click here.

In addition, the committee overseeing this project is investigating the need for a child day care and/or preschool program and a building to house it. Also, a grant from the Joslin-Needham Foundation of Brush allows for the an exploration of need and resources for a Parish Nurse program directed from Eben Ezer and carried out through participating churches of northeast Colorado.

In an industry dominated by large corporations, Eben Ezer continues to stand alone as an independent not-for-profit corporation maintaining affiliation only with the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its Christ-centered mission is more important than ever in making a statement about what health care for the elderly should be.

Tabor is the federally subsidized unit that offers low rent senior housing. To learn more about Tabor, click here.

All Saints Church is the center of the Eben Ezer complex both physically and spiritually. To learn more about All Saints Church, click here.


One of the residents exercises in Eben Ezer's physical therapy room.
Pastor Larson, past administrator of Eben Ezer, echoed the words of Pastor Jens Madsen, who firmly believed that his vision had been made a reality by the grace of God and by the support of loyal workers and volunteers. Larson wrote in Phoebe, "This spiritual foundation is what sets the ministry of Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center apart from the other long term continuous care communities. We believe that

those who serve here, as employees and volunteers, do so because God has called them to this service" (Fall, 2001).

In recognizing one hundred years of ministry in the year 2003, Pastor Don Thurn, Chaplain, chaired Eben Ezer's Centennial Celebration. In December 2002, the celebration began with the dedication and display off a quilt recording the events of a century of ministry. An opening worship for the centennial was incorporated into the traditional Christmas Service of Lights in All Saints Church.

 

A picture of one of Eben Ezer's "Pilgrim Rest" rooms. If you would like to find out more about Eben Ezer's specialized care, click here.

In 2003, a three-day celebration during the first weekend of March commemorated the March 5, 1903 drafting of the mission statement and first constitution that took place at Bethany Lutheran Church in Denver. Plans for the remainder of the year included community events and a day honoring the previous staff of Eben Ezer including those of Elim Hospital. A centennial tree drive was conducted with the hope of replacing trees eliminated by construction, disease and age. On Arbor Day, 2003, the first trees were planted in memory of Pastor Jens Madsen.

Eben Ezer has been a "Stone of Help" to countless people in different circumstances and with different needs throughout its one hundred years of existence. Pastor Jens Madsen desired a work "in the vineyard of the Lord" and envisioned a place where "the aged and invalid, without regard to birth, creed, nationality or color, may meet Christian love and care. His vision has borne the fruit of a century of Christian ministry well known for its witness.
Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center, a "stone of help" for many in the past, for many more today, and for many, many more in the days to come.