Becky Le, RN, PhD

HEALING ON THE FRONTLINE: AGAPE NURSING MODEL

by Nancy Eckerd RN, MS and Becky Le RN, PhD

The Agape Nursing Model

he nurse plays a unique T and powerful role in the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Not only is the nurse called to serve every patient in every situation, but the nurse is called to serve the nations. The nursing profession is a mission of Christ. In order to impact the patient through Christ-centered holistic care, the nurse must first surrender to the Lord. From full surrender, the nurse will utilize individual spiritual gifts, prayer, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Only then will the nurse reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care, changing lives for eternity.

Nurses currently serving on the frontlines of the COVID -19 battle have been described as healthcare heroes for their amazing acts of sacrifice and service during this tragic and unprecedented time. Even new nursing school graduates have found themselves in the middle of chaos, where sorrowful casualties have been experienced. Unfortunately, there has been much grief with the current pandemic, but there is also healing and hope to be found in the midst of this chaos.

COVID-19 is God’s battle and there is a way to be prepared. Understanding the Agape Nursing Model allows a framework for grasping the steps needed to fulfill your calling, and to provide your patient with the best possible holistic healthcare. Application of the Agape Nursing Model to practice, will bring grace and healing to the frontline.

According to the Gallup poll, the nurse has been considered the most trusted profession for the last eighteen years (Gallop, 2020). With honesty and trust as our benchmark, the nurse has limitless opportunities to minister to the patient. As a matter of fact, the spirit-filled nurse is an evangelist and healthcare disciple. This is a powerful combination where not only patient outcomes are improved, but miracles and healings can and often do happen (Mauk & Hobus, 2020). Following the Agape Nursing Model below, the patient will experience the love of Christ through your actions, words and deeds:

The Agape Nursing Model is based on the application of the kingdom nursing concept which is “Focused, dynamic patient-centered care, inspired by the qualities of Christ and influenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the nurse" (Eckerd, 2015, p.253). Emulating the agape love of Christ serves to lift the fallen, restore the broken, heal the hurting, and love the unlovely by being the earthly hands and feet of Christ.

While other models focus on the spiritual position of the patient, the Agape Nursing Model focuses on the character of the nurse and provides a framework for fulfilling your call to serve others humbly with love (Eckerd, 2018). Further, the model provides for the quality assurance principle found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

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Called by God: God calls every believer to Himself then to ministry. “…work hard to prove that you really are among those God as called and chosen.” (2 Peter 1:10). View your profession as an act of worship for your calling: “Have I not told you, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). Show others the glory of God: “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Professional Growth: Global nursing associations encourage a professional education commitment by adhering and embracing values, moral norms, and ideals. Also encouraged is knowledge, attitude, skill development, practice experiences, commitment, relational maturity, and personal integrity. Spiritual Growth-Continue and be faithful to your spiritual journey: “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17). The process of sanctification results in devotion to Christ and Christ-likeness. “…we will speak the truth in love, growing in everyway more and more like Christ, who is head of his body, the church” (Ephesians 4:15).

Rely upon prayer, spiritual gifts & supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: “Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).

Spiritual Gifts: Know and study your spiritual gift(s). God expects you to be alert and aware of op-

portunities to use it. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards…” (1 Peter 4:10). Holy Spirit: Seek out and anticipate His supernatural guidance. “Teach me to do your will, for You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10). “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). “And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we obey His orders and practice what is pleasing to Him” (1 John 3:22).

Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care. “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

All believers possess the ability to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

Patient receives Christ-centered care and comes face-to-face with the supernatural goodness of

Christ. “In the same way, let your good deeds shine for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16). Advocate for your patient: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

As the nurse focuses on the application of the Agape Nursing Model by building professionalism, faith, prayer, and use of spiritual gifts, the professional practice environment will begin to shift. The nurse displays and proclaim a sense of shalom. The natural outcome of this is a deepening trust that God is in control, and a deepened dependence on the Lord during patient care. Supernatural events will begin to take place as the nurse receives promptings of the Holy Spirit regarding patient care, and the patient receives physical, spiritual, and emotional intervention.

Through the nurse’s ministry, God is honored. He sees His foundation of Christ-like character being displayed in the nurse’s practice. God delights in your reflection of the goodness of His son. He sees and is delighted by your commitment to your practice as a joyful offering to Him. “I tell you the truth, when you did this for one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” (Mathew 25:40). When you serve the least of these, you are serving Him.

Have you considered the divine impact the nurse can have for such a time as this? The patient, in their darkest moment, experiences the agape love of Christ. Supernatural outcomes are revealed as your patient experiences the

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character of Christ. Like an intense, purifying light in the frontline darkness, God will reveal specificity of the patient to the nurse. The patient benefits holistically (mind, body, spirit) through this revelation. Patients that embrace their spiritual beliefs, find meaning and hope in their illness (Christman & Mueller, 2017). The patient trusts the nurse and feels respected, calm, content, strengthened, and unconditional acceptance. The nurse is then facilitating the patient to embrace their spiritual belief.

Challenge: Are you committed to accepting your calling as a nurse missionary and building your faith? Will you be a healthcare disciple to the nations? Will you commit to spiritual and professional growth? Will you utilize your spiritual gifts, prayer, and prompting of the Holy Spirit? Will you reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care? If you have experienced the supernatural at the point of care, are you willing to share your testimony with others?

There will always be a frontline, only the descriptor will change. Whether it is called COVID-19, Ebola, seasonal flu, or a particular life crisis, God has given you tools to sustain and thrive in this catastrophic environment. COVID-19 is no surprise to God. He told Solomon 2500 years ago, that among other catastrophes, He may send plagues (2 Chronicles 7:13). It is also no surprise that God has placed you on the frontline. God has called, prepared and planted you on the frontline, because you are His chosen disciple, specifically gifted in ways to serve others in His name. “And who knows, but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

For more information contact agapenursingmodel@gmail.com . References upon request.

Pixabay from ahmad triyawan Photo source: Image by

travel, unemployment among Gypsies is extremely high. Most Gypsies are very poor. Michel sold area carpet, some obtained from the U.S. His son-in-law breeds and sells several types of dogs. A new litter was born while we were there in the camp. He places the dogs in the back of his van each night to protect them from being stolen.

Gypsies are often denied adequate medical care and social services. In addition to discrimination, their access to healthcare is limited by their frequent travel, isolation, low education and lack of trust. Gypsies suffer greater long term health issues and disability, less satisfactory outcome following treatment and increased occurrence of disease. Their life expectancy is 10-15 years shorter than the overall European average.

Following my French mission trip with the Gypsies, I have continued to maintain contact with Michel and his family. Through my research and preparation for the mission trip, my time with Michel and his community, and my contact since the trip, I have learned so much and grown to love the Gypsies. As often occurs with mission trips, this experience was life changing and I received more than I gave. I also had the privilege of sharing about my mission trip with second graders. They were encouraged toward missions and learned for the first time how to love the Gypsy.

The scripture I used in the photo book I created following this mission trip was Luke 14:23 “Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled’.” I later discovered this verse is a promise the Gypsies find reassures them of their Master Jesus’ love.

God loves what society rejects. We are called to love the poor and forgotten, and treat sinners and outcasts the way Jesus treated Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Jesus sees the gold in the dirt of our lives. He loves us in the way we could be if we followed Him with all of our hearts. We must see others through Jesus’ eyes and love like He loves. I hope these words inspire you to love the Gypsy and all others created in God’s image.

You may reach Melodee at melodeebattenschlag@gmail.com