Clergy Appreciation Month 2025: Inspirational Bible Verses from Concordia’s Chaplains

Now more than ever, our world needs to recognize leaders in the faith who reflect the love, virtue and humility of Christ. For more than four decades, October has been named National Clergy Appreciation Month to provide a special time to thank those who are called to minister to us during the very best and the very worst times of our lives.

 “I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last.” – John 15:16

The chaplains of Concordia Lutheran Ministries possess a unique kind of ministry, providing inspiration to our residents as their lives reflect the One they serve. We feature them with the question, “What is one scripture, hymn or prayer you return to most often in your chaplaincy work?”

The Good Shepherd

Several chaplains find inspiration in the image of Christ as Shepherd, guiding and protecting His people.

Rev. Adam Salinas, who has served at Concordia for four years, reflects on John 10:14–15: “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

“These verses paint a vivid picture of our Good Shepherd,” Rev. Salinas said. “Jesus Christ loves His sheep as He lays down His life on Golgotha’s cross, the sacrificial Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. When I share this truth with others at Concordia, it brings a profound sense of comfort and peace to them. I want to ensure that every person I visit feels loved and valued in that they know that Jesus Christ is their Good Shepherd who is with them every step of the way throughout their lives.”

Rev. Duane Voorman draws similar strength and purpose from Psalm 23 and describes the imagery as a perfect example of God’s love for us: “We are His sheep and He is our Shepherd.”

Deaconess Heather Wathall often pairs Psalm 23 with John 10:27-28:  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.”

“Most people are familiar with Psalm 23 and the concept of God as our Shepherd,” she said. “It’s such a gift that Jesus takes that image and tells us how He fulfills it. Here Jesus proclaims that: He knows you as well as He and the Father are known in the unity of the Holy Trinity. His gift is eternal life, won by dying our death and securing our forgiveness.

 He has a firm grasp on those who follow Him. Nothing can sever the sheep from the Shepherd.

 “These promises cut to the heart of much human need,” Heather recounted from a wise pastor who spoke often of the underlying problem for most people is a feeling of being alone and unloved. “In these and so many other words, Jesus remedies what is lacking directly.”

Comfort in the Journey

For some on the chaplaincy team, the verses that sustain them are those that bring reassurance during transition or uncertainty.

Rev. Brian Lott, Spiritual Care Supervisor for Concordia Visiting Nurses, often turns to his favorite chapter, John 14:1-6. The verses offer Jesus’ words of comfort and promise as He prepared His disciples for His death on the cross.

He frequently pairs this reading with a hymn, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” since the words are both powerful and comforting.

“O soul, are you weary and troubled?

No light in the darkness you see?

There’s light for a look at the Savior,

And life more abundant and free!”

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,

Look full in His wonderful face;

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.”

Rev. Jack Hartman, Director of Chaplaincy Services, recalls Psalm 139:9-10 comforting him when his son joined the Navy.

“I had some misgivings about his decision and found myself in Borders Bookstore when I happened on a plaque with the words of David and I felt the Lord talking to me,” he explained. “It provided just the assurance that I needed: ‘If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.’”

Rev. Robert Zagore, who joined the Concordia team earlier this year, finds hope in Psalm 103.

 “It lifts our eyes from sorrow to God’s Fatherly mercy and steadfast love, reminding us of His faithfulness through all generations,” he noted. “In fear we often focus on the scary and unknown. This Psalm refocuses us on truth and the clear grace of God in our lives. Again and again, I see how His Word replaces grief with gratitude, fear with trust and despair with hope in Christ.”

Familiar Words of Faith

Some of the most meaningful moments in ministry come through simple, well-loved prayers and hymns.

Deaconess Pam Voorman has found that the Lord’s Prayer, the Doxology and even “Jesus Loves Me” all resonate with Concordia residents.

“No matter what faith background someone comes from, these three will almost always be familiar,” she said.

She remembers a hospice patient who could no longer speak: “After reading scripture, I sang Jesus Loves Me, and, with tears streaming down her face, she softly mouthed ‘loves me, loves me.’”

Rev. Kenneth Spence, one of Concordia’s newest chaplains, shared his “go-to hymn is ‘Amazing Grace.’” The scripture passage he goes to for purpose is Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”

“God’s ‘Amazing Grace’ is found in salvation by faith through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ,” he said. “So many times, when the residents are asked the question, ‘Are you saved?’ They respond ‘Yes.’ But when asked ‘Are you going to heaven?’ they generally respond, ‘I hope so!’ I want them to know the Amazing Grace of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that forgives, saves and grants eternal life.”

Assurance of God’s Presence

For those who minister to Concordia residents and patients, certain verses provide deep reassurances of God’s nearness.

“In our work, we often encounter people in times of transition,” said Deaconess Zoe Huelsman. “They’ve had a fall and are in one of our rehabilitation facilities. Their home got to be too much to care for and they have downsized into independent living.”

One of the passages she often points to is Hebrews 13:5: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

“In seasons of change or when faced with challenges, we can be assured of Christ’s constant presence with us and unchanging love for us,” she reminds us.

Rev. Brett Witmer, part-time Concordia chaplain, also turns to Hebrews 13:5.

He emphasizes that the Lord Jesus has not forgotten those he ministers to, because, if they’ve been baptized, they are His and are joined to Him.

“It can be tempting for them to think that no one cares about them, that they are alone in a place where they didn’t grow up and aren’t in their house anymore,” he explained. “I try to remind them they still are not forgotten by the Lord in the midst of everything going on.”

People of all denominations respond very well to Matthew 10:29-3, according to Rev. Ron Breight, pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Forest Hills and Chaplain at Concordia.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

“I use this many times most every day in hospital visits,” he said.

Hope Beyond Suffering

For those who serve people in pain or people needing end-of-life care, Scripture becomes a proclamation of victory and hope.

Rev. Kyle Mullins, part-time Concordia chaplain and pastor at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Glen Savage, leans on Romans 8:38-39: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“In our suffering, when we are near death, we are tempted to think that God is far from us. But Paul reminds us during our suffering we are being made to be like Jesus,” he said. “And if we have been united to Him in a death like His we shall certainly be united to Him in a resurrection like His. And this is the wonderful, unchanging truth of our God; the wonderful unchanging truth I get to proclaim to those who are in any affliction: Christ died so that you may live.”

Chaplain at Concordia at Sumner, Rev. Charlie Lentner often shares Acts 17:28: “In Him we live and move and have our being.”

“It fills me with the total significance of God in Christ,” he said. “We owe everything to Him, even each and every breath. And then I ask residents what they think, resulting in what the Spirit of God shows us both. Inspiring!”

Gratitude for the Servant-Hearted

We recognize our chaplaincy team that continues to serve across every Concordia location and home and community-based service line, bringing the comfort of the Gospel into daily life and in times of greatest need. They walk alongside all members of the Concordia family – building relationships, offering encouragement and inspiring hearts with Christ’s hope. To learn more about Concordia, visit the About Us section of our website. You can also message us through our contact form or call our administrative headquarters at 724-352-1571.

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Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations.