Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Keeping the faith

just one of the ways that Concordia addresses the community’s faith needs. Cindee Johnson, director

- BY COLLEEN MARIE THOMPSON CONCORDIA OF BELLA VISTA

This time of year, with spring on the horizon in Northwest Arkansas, our thoughts often turn to renewal and rebirth. Faith becomes a highlight of this season as we look to revival and resurrecti­on. With that in mind, I reached out to our Chaplain Larry to ask how his ministry and background has shaped how he serves, especially now in his role at Concordia Retirement Community.

Larry Murphy did not set out to be a missionary pastor. He went to the University of Arkansas and received a degree in business administra­tion. His first job was in sales and marketing for industrial parts. Soon after, he caught the eye of his now wife at church and decided three months later that he could not live without her. It was their shared vision that led him to pursue a Master of Divinity degree.

The first church he worked at was in south Georgia, where he stayed for three years before pursuing mission work. That is when he realized how completely God had laid out a plan for his family. He had been married the right amount of time and had one child. Most individual­s who go into mission work take years to find an area and put everything in place, but it took the Murphys just six months to begin their first mission placement in Togo, West Africa. What they found in Africa and their other mission placements was the need to help those they were serving to understand they were there to help them. Each culture looked at them differentl­y. Sometimes they had to adapt to the culture to serve more effectivel­y.

Since Larry is an only child, he eventually had to retire and come back permanentl­y to take care of his family after the death of his father. Once back, God led him to Osage Mills Baptist Fellowship. Since Osage Mills is a small parish, it allows him time to work part-time at Concordia Retirement Community.

Pastor Larry said his is a ministry of presence at Concordia. He comforts and helps in times of need. He is seen by the residents and they reach out to him. What he sees as the merits of a ministry of presence is that he listens to residents, and they often solve their own problems. In addition to listening to and counseling residents, he does a weekly Bible study. It is well attended by the residents, and they come to rely on this hourlong study once a week.

Faith is so important to many residents at Concordia. Utilizing Pastor Larry is of community relations, also offers a weekly Bible study to the residents. Having different options is important for our community.

“We want to have diverse programs surroundin­g faith and any other interests in our community,” said Angie Clark, executive director of Concordia. Sunday Services and small groups that meet at Concordia accommodat­e the many needs of residents.

“It takes a village” is a common saying that applies to how Concordia approaches meeting our residents’ faith needs and other interests. We are always trying to add more programmin­g as the community’s needs and interests expand and change. We prayerfull­y welcome anyone who is looking to feel heard, loved and listened to. Please contact us at 479-855-3714. You will feel at home here.

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