Our Vision


Our vision is to be God's hands and feet as we:


  • Recognize Jesus Christ as our foundation and strength
  • Enlist the efforts of staff, volunteers, and families
         to become the elder resident’s support system
  • Encourage and equip the body of Christ to minister to the elderly


Touching Lives Ministry's VISION is to be GOD'S HANDS AND FEET as our team of volunteers minister and serve residents, their families and staff of the care facilities who host us. We partner with churches that desire to start nursing home ministry in their neighborhoods, seeking to identify teams of volunteers who love Jesus Christ and have a caring heart for the elderly. Our GOAL is to SERVE WITH EXCELLENCE BEFORE GOD in all that we do, using each opportunity to train, encourage, and minister the love of Jesus Christ to many. Touching Lives Ministry offers: Church Service ‘planting’ within elder care facilities, volunteer training and placement, and tried and proven ministry start-up methods in compliance with care facilities' requirements.

Our Mission

The MISSION of Touching Lives Ministry is to bring the Love of Jesus Christ to many - to remind each person that there is still Joy in belonging to Jesus Christ. We have Hope and a future based on God’s Word, and while we have life and breath, God still has a purpose for each of our lives. Teams of volunteers serve weekly in our non-denominational church services which include special music and singing the wonderful old hymns, praying together and expecting God's help and provision in their lives. We Praise God and share the Gospel of Jesus, worshiping together in elder care facilities, and through visitation wherever God leads, including hospitals and hospice.

Pastor Libby McGahey, Founder and Director

Libby and her husband Gene are retired and have two married daughters. As a young child Libby accepted the Lord and knew at an early age God had a purpose for her life. Her strong faith was formed early, and she credits her parents for the Christian training and love she received as they lived out their personal faith in Jesus Christ. Years later, when her dear mother was elderly and living in a nearby nursing home, God called Libby to begin ministering to the elderly and teaching weekly services, and Touching Lives Ministry began. As God revealed His calling for her life, she continues to be so Thankful for the blessing and opportunity of sharing the Love of Jesus Christ with others, and desires that many come to know Jesus as Savior!

Gene has been an active supporter and encourager of Libby's ministry. When she saw the great needs of the elderly in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, she prayed God would bring others to serve with her. Several years later, without any effort on her own, the Lord brought an amazing core team of committed volunteers within two week's time! The ongoing story of the ministry is that God continues to bless by bringing more and more volunteers and more and more facilities that want the Touching Lives services to be held for their residents!

In 2009, Libby's home church ordained her as a Pastor, enabling her ministry to reach out through hospital and hospice visitation and the authority to preside at funerals, weddings, baptisms, and child dedications. Libby's relationship with the Lord and guidance of the Holy Spirit is what motivates her. She and Gene are active and involved members of their church and community. Being servants of Jesus Christ is their privilege and passion.



Dave Baker

Secretary, Board Member

Dave and his wife Sandra have two grown children and a precious granddaughter who keeps them smiling. He is currently employed with Porter Capital Investments Company. When first invited by a friend to visit and observe ministry within the nursing homes, Dave was very interested in seeing what God was doing in the ministry, and quickly realized his desire to share God’s love with those in elder care facilities.

He met the pastor, Libby McGahey, and other team members, and immediately felt a kinship with them as he became involved with Touching Lives Ministry. God had impressed on Dave, “You will serve in the assisted living community, and it will be permanent, and you will bring much glory to Me.” God led Dave to Touching Lives Ministry where he is currently serving as God promised, and now serves on the Board of Directors as well as in the nursing homes ministering to those in need.

Kim Fillenberg Heim

Vice President/Treasurer, Chaplain

Kim is a happily married mother of three children. She is a self-employed CPA specializing in tax consulting. Radically transformed through a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, Kim’s desire is to share the love of Jesus with all people. As a Chaplain within Touching Lives Ministry, Kim considers it a privilege to visit and pray with residents and their families.

She enjoys using her talents of singing and playing the piano and keyboard to share the love of Jesus with residents in several nursing homes. Kim initiated Memory Care Music Therapy services within Touching Lives, and these are now offered in four additional facilities, bringing joy to many. Kim has been a part of the ministry development team since the beginning and serves on the Board of Directors.



Sandra Baker

Board Member, Chaplain

Sandra is in full-time ministry and loves every minute of it. She enjoys teaching and ministering to her granddaughter Giselle and the rest of the family. Sandra was first invited by her husband to visit and observe ministry within the nursing homes, from that moment they both knew God was calling them to the nursing home ministry. Her heart’s desire is to minister the love of Christ and to win everyone over to the Lord Jesus. Being a teacher/leader for Touching Lives has increased her compassion and desire to mentor those on the team, always being led by the Holy Spirit. Sandra is a chaplain with Touching Lives, enabling her to reach out through hospitals and hospice. She enjoys everything life gives her!! One of Sandra’s favorite scriptures is 2 Timothy 4-2: "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction."

Joyce Gookin

Board Member

Joyce is a retired elementary teacher and her husband Garen is retired from IBM. They enjoy living in Colorado, close to family here and in Kansas. Joyce and Garen felt the Lord's call on their lives early in their marriage and have served in youth ministry, men/women ministries, choir, Bible studies, and missions. Joyce became involved with Touching Lives through a ministry fair at their church. This encounter led to "getting hooked" on volunteering in nursing homes. What a joy to be part of a ministry that shares God's love with our precious seniors.

Joyce enjoys playing the keyboard, singing, and making crafts for the residents on holidays/other events. Being a part of Touching Lives has enriched her life in many ways. "The Touching Lives volunteers have become dear friends in the Lord; we love and support one another in addition to having a lot of fun!" Joyce is the newest member of the board.