Village Church Team Hooks Up Seniors with Life-Saving Vaccines

It’s 6:02 am and Gordon Scott sends an urgent text message to 15 other team members: “Check Walgreens now! 4 more slots! Landed Tues for Janet!” Within minutes, Elise Myers grabs two of them for her “clients”—seniors who have sought vaccine appointments, desperately, to no avail.

The team was set up by Dr. Chuck Guth, Minister of Congregational Care for The Village Church of Northbrook. “Like most houses of worship in our village, we have many seniors who don’t regularly use computers or social media. I knew many others in our congregation were willing to help.”

Chuck set up a Zoom training session led by Missy Lundgaard, wife of the Senior Pastor. Missy was a “ringer” who knew the best websites, best techniques, and what she told the team was most important: “Persistence. You need to click on, make calls, click again, call again…and repeat. Persistence pays off!” Missy was right: in 12 days, this amazing team had already landed over 80 appointments! Other church volunteers also assisted with transportation.

Village Church Senior Pastor, Spencer Lundgaard: “Initially, we have been serving those who attend our church to work out the sign-up process. And now we want to extend our service to the Northbrook community. As a missional church, we want to reach out beyond our walls to serve everyone in need, regardless of faith or circumstance. Like our role model, Jesus, we want to bless and love everyone. Granted it may be more via Zoom for a little while longer!”

For more information about how the team can help you, go to the church website www.villagechurchnorthbrook.org, and find the button for the Virus Application Form at the bottom of the homepage. You may also call the church office at 847.272.0900.