For churches
Build a ministry that includes the families nobody sees.
Most congregations already care about their seniors. What they lack is a plan for the husband who stopped coming because his wife can't be left alone, or the daughter who is caring for Mom on top of everything else. bēkn helps you build that plan.
Request a free consultation
Start with a 30-minute call.
Tell Kristina about your congregation, its seniors, and who is already caregiving. No cost and no commitment; it's how every bēkn ministry has started.
How it works
From a first conversation to a working ministry.
Pastoral consultation
A 30-minute call with Kristina about your congregation, its seniors, and who is already caregiving. No cost.
Schedule a callListening survey
We help you find out who in your church is caring for someone and what they actually need. Our caregiver survey is a starting point.
Design the ministry
Respite, visitation, rides, meals, a caregiver group, or a decision-making workshop series. We build around what your people can sustain.
Launch and walk alongside
We stay involved through launch and help your leaders keep it going.
The need, locally
Nearly one in five people in Hamilton County is 65 or older.
That is 73,322 people, and the share is higher than Tennessee's (17.7%) or the nation's (18.0%). Most of the care they will need comes from family, not professionals.
What you get
Hands-on help, not a binder.
- A ministry assessment for your congregation
- Help launching or expanding a seniors ministry that includes caregiving families
- Decision-making and caregiving workshops for members, led on site
- Connections to local community resources in your area
- Care for the ministers themselves (in development)
“Elder abuse in the church is often unseen and starts with an exhausted caregiver.”
From “Shepherding the Silent,” Tana Meador, LCSW, with Kristina Twitty, MAPastors are often the first to notice a caregiver running on empty. The workshops give you language and a plan for that moment.
Caregiver survey & workshops
From listening to caring action.
In summer 2026, bēkn surveyed 177 people across ten Chattanooga-area congregations, with support from the Maclellan Foundation. The survey helps a church hear from the people quietly carrying the load. Here is what they said.
are primary caregivers right now (57 of 177).
expect caregiving within three to seven years, or aren't sure.
knew of no caregiving support at their church (83 people).
said they would make monthly visits; 57 would help with meals.
Not a scientific sample. Full write-up: Listening to Caregivers (PDF).
Churches that took part were invited to half-day fall workshops on the three concerns that came up most: navigating medical decisions, the practical demands of caregiving, and preparing for future care and emergencies. See what participants said.
Common questions
What pastors ask us first.
What does this cost the church?
The initial consultation is free. bēkn is a nonprofit supported by donations; talk with us about what a longer engagement looks like for your congregation.
We're a small church. Is this for us?
Yes. The ministry is sized to what your people can sustain. A small church might start with a visitation rota and one workshop.
Do we need a dedicated staff member?
No. Most ministries are volunteer-led. We help you identify and equip the right leaders.
Is bēkn tied to a denomination?
bēkn is a faith-based nonprofit grounded in Scripture and works with churches across traditions.