Ocean View Church encourages senior members

Ocean View Church holds gatherings and activities for Senior Adult members. (Photo taken from the church’s website)

Senior Adults of Ocean View Church (OVC) are invited to participate in the OVC seniors at The Pier on Sunday mornings at the church’s main campus or on Tuesday at Chula Vista Campus at 10:30 a.m.

The church announcement said that OVC seniors are an active ministry with multiple gatherings weekly. They have some fun activities and engaging events. Senior members also enjoy social outings.

Senior Adults at OVC

“Where friends are created, life is cherished, and God is experienced,” highlighted on the church’s website.

At OVC, they believed that elders are away from finished living a worship life. The church also thinks that Senior members have full wisdom in living according to the scripture. They said that their experiences are valuable assets within the church.

The younger ones are trained to respect and love the elders. Older mentors are also assigned to educate and guide the younger generations, as mentioned on the church’s website.

The church emphasized that seniors are one of the largest unreached and unchurched demographics in the South Bay, so they desire to invite the elders to be part of multiplying the said valuable ministry.

Benefits of Church on Senior Citizens

According to Jason Lewis of the Boxcast website, more than 50% of Americans still attend religious activities once a month. Church gives a fantastic way to connect with each community member and gain new friends. But they mentioned that even though the advantages are seen, many senior citizens who do not have a church home are still skeptical about attending service.

One of the benefits that the church could give to elders is to help them reduce loneliness, Lewis stated. For seniors, sadness can become everyday circumstances. Many of them stay away from their friends because of retirement and medical problems. They have also lessened the ability to do the hobbies and activities they once enjoyed.

Research shows that regular attendance at church services may significantly decline loneliness by giving them social support, Lewis revealed. He added that the church makes it possible to have new communities and friends.

Another significant merit of attending church is that prayer works. Lewis mentioned that it is scientifically proven that there is a strong bond between prayer and increased well-being. The website noted that individuals who pray are often optimistic and more forgiving than those who do not. Lewis added that prayer could also help decrease the negative impacts of stress on one’s mind and body.

Peace of Mind

He stated that group prayer is mostly a peaceful and robust experience even though anyone can pray at home. Lewis added that going to church can also let others know more about prayer, which they could apply at home. He said that churches have pastors or other leaders who help to give a sense of belongingness to senior citizens.

More importantly, the website stated that elders are coming to their final states. Being an active participant in a Christian church gives them inward peace that nothing else could provide for many.