Unique Opportunities For NCD Churches To Partner With Elim Care/Cassia

In 1927 the Minnesota District (NCD) purchased the Caley Mansion in Princeton MN from a local hardware store owner for $10,000 to establish a home for the aged. The home provided a church-based alternative to “poor farms” established during tough economic times, with residents often sharing produce to sustain the home. The home was named “Elim”, which was an oasis and a place of rest and refreshment for the Israelites after the initial trials of their 40-year trek in the desert (Ex. 15:27).

The SOLSTRALEN (Sunbeam) newsletter of the Swedish Evangelical Free Church, St. Paul (First EFC Maplewood) on October 30, 1932, announced a “Harvest Festival at the Elim Old People’s Home in Princeton on November 22nd.” Here folks from Free Churches around the state gathered for a dinner; “each one is asked to bring a covered dish,” followed by a program with an offering taken for the home. The December 17, 1932 edition of SOLSTRALEN invited older folks to consider “enjoying the hospitality of the home for the very reasonable price of 25 dollars per month. Four or five more paying guests would put us on a splendid financial basis.”

In the 1960’s and 70’s homes were added in Milaca, Fargo and Watertown. Today Elim Care has 15 facilities in North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa and Florida, and it manages the Westhaven Home in Boone Iowa, which is owned by the EFCA Central District.

Until 2018 Elim Care was owned by the North Central District. That year the NCD Conference voted to affiliate Elim Care with Augustana Care, an organization of similar size with connections to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The two organizations persist as separate entities under the umbrella organization Cassia. Elim Care and Augustana Care retain their respective Boards, and each appoints nine of their number to the Cassia Board. The NCD Board appoints Elim Care Board members annually.

From an operational standpoint the affiliation happened at an amazingly opportune time. Within two years the healthcare industry would be turned upside down with the COVID pandemic, followed by shrinkage of the healthcare workforce and costs that spiraled upwards. Many Senior Living and Skilled Nursing facilities closed. Smaller healthcare organizations either didn’t survive or were consolidated into larger organizations. Partly because of the size and scale of Cassia, and because of excellent management, and mostly because the Lord was gracious, Cassia came through this storm healthy. Cassia is the 15th largest non-profit Senior Living organization in the United States and has top tier rankings.

With the affiliation, the NCD Conference wanted to ensure the Elim Care facilities retained spiritual care aligned with EFCA theology and ethos. The agreement stipulated that each facility continue to be staffed with EFCA credentialed chaplains. One of the outcomes of the COVID pandemic was the loss of volunteers, who previously had helped with activities, Bible studies, and chapel services. Chaplains were overwhelmed with the tasks of providing spiritual and relational care for the residents and staff. In the years since it has been difficult to rebuild the volunteer workforce.

This provides an opportunity for churches in our movement to fill the gap. Just as Elim Care started as a ministry of churches within the Minnesota District (NCD), it seems there is no time like the present to resume this mission. The NCD is intent on connecting churches within the vicinity of Elim Care facilities for the purpose of enhancing spiritual and relational care, in partnership with the chaplaincy. The following describes this vision:

While Elim Care is not a church, it is an extension of the church as a mercy ministry
Relationships with local Evangelical churches should be actively nurtured
Local Evangelical churches are encouraged to make the Elim Care facility a missional space, a place to care for their own and a place to shine the light of Jesus Christ among all residents
Local church participation involves encouraging congregants to practice their spiritual gifts to provide relational and spiritual care among the residents along with appropriate practical helps through the volunteer structure
Local church participation includes encouraging congregants needing senior living services to consider the facility as a place to live and minister as a resident to other residents
A rich relationship between the Elim Care facility and churches enhances the operational efficiency of the facility (volunteers perform tasks that otherwise would be required of employees), enhances spiritual care, and provides a richer relational environment. Reputation of such an environment naturally enhances occupancy levels.

Coming full circle from those 1932 SOLSTRALEN articles, fast forward 90 years and First EFC Maplewood has had the opportunity to live this relationship with Elim Care. In 2022 Harmony Gardens opened on a segment of property adjacent to church property, the outcome of a 15-year discussion between the church and Elim Care leadership envisioning a close relationship with the church. A 2007 First EFC visioning process had included components of building a bridge to the community, caring for those in need, and creating a missional space in which the gospel could be freely shared.

Harmony Gardens is a full continuum facility including independent living, assisted living, memory care and skilled nursing with a capacity of 160 residents. It enables residents to age in place and couples who are at different stages to live in the same building. A capital campaign during construction raised $400,000 to include a chapel seating up to 100 people, named in honor of the late EFCA President William Hamel.

In 2025, 24 First EFC congregants resided at Harmony Gardens. 39 volunteers logged 1581 hours transporting residents within the building and assisting with games, birthday parties and raised bed gardening. Spiritual care included visitation, leading Bible studies, Sunday afternoon chapel services and hymn sings. Five congregants served on a chapel speaker rotation.

Those are the stats from the First EFC Annual Report, but to understand the real story you need to hear the testimonies of those impacted, residents and volunteers alike. Those moving into the facility are often experiencing the loss of their family home, or loss of community with a move across state lines to be closer to family. They are welcomed by their new apartment “neighbors” who had been praying for them even before they had met. They are welcomed in the dining room by some who move tables together to share the meal. They are welcomed into a chapel service to hear the gospel and sing songs of worship with brothers and sisters in the Lord. Or, as a loved one is lost, they are surrounded by those who share their grief.

Biblical and missional, united and free. That’s the cry of our EFCA movement. The NCD relationship with Elim Care/Cassia provides a unique opportunity to partner in mercy ministry, to encourage our brothers and sisters in the Lord and to shine the light of Jesus Christ among residents, those within the Body and those yet to know His love and salvation.

For more information on NCD’s connection with Elim Care/Cassia and opportunities to partner, please contact:

Jon Addington

NCD Director for Older Adult Ministry

jon.addington@ncdefca.org

Elim Care/Cassia Locations:

Redeemer, Minneapolis MN

Elim Shores, Eden Prairie MN

Cornerstone, Plymouth MN

Haven Homes, Maple Plain MN

Harmony Gardens, Maplewood MN

Park View, Buffalo MN

Lake Ridge, Buffalo MN