The nurses who took care of Moses and Rebekah are just two examples of how the Bible highlights the presence and importance of caregivers in providing support and protection to others. Brenda does just this by promoting our congregation’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being.
With over 30 years working as a Registered Nurse in the NICU and in other healthcare roles, Brenda began working with our congregation in 2020 when a COVID team was formed to determine how navigate many unknown health factors at that time. Brenda went on to obtain a certification as a Faith Community Nurse.
Brenda’s work is as diverse as the needs that arise. She provides individualized support during Sunday services and church events and through phone calls, home visits, and hospital or rehab visits. Additional responsibilities include health education, post-discharge support, end-of-life care assistance with funerals and ensuring our members and their families feel supported during times of need. Brenda plays a key role in connecting our pastoral staff with members requiring spiritual or emotional support.
“It’s really about building relationships and meeting people where they are—being there with no judgment,” Brenda says. “It’s checking on people and answering questions while building relationships.” Brenda championed the creation of our Health Ministries Committee, and now thanks to that committee, she has the support of a team that implements support programs for members of all ages within the church community. Just a few examples include providing blessing baskets to new families, delivering hospital bags, coordinating blood drives, delivering 30–40 meals to homebound each week, and hosting a Grief Share program.
Brenda sees needs and works toward finding a way to meet them. For example, she and the Health Ministry team are currently working on facilitating a use for the labyrinth located on the side of the church, and they are coordinating a plan for members to provide disaster relief for each other by neighborhood.
Raised in Oklahoma City, Brenda and her husband have two sons (plus a “bonus daughter”) and have lived in The Woodlands for 31 years. The loves of her life are her granddaughters, Hazel and Evelyn. Brenda learned how to knit last year and is currently working on knitting blankets for hospital bags and baptismal blankets.