Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ
S P EC I AL FEATU R E
Bolingbrook Church Organizes Drive-up Blessing for Hospital On a cold day in late January, members of The Bolingbrook Church, a Seventh-day Adventist church, gathered outside AMITA
over the intercom while the people outside watched on Zoom and prayed along. Many associates and patients came to the
Health Bolingbrook for a drive-up hospi-
windows to acknowledge the blessing and
tal blessing to honor hospital workers for
join in prayer. The support of the church and
their service to the community during the
the community lifted spirits and provided
pandemic.
support.
“We parked in the first row of the parking
“It has been a challenging couple of
lot facing the hospital, and got out of our
years,” said Samantha Sagrado, manager of
cars holding signs of encouragement and
Volunteer Services at the hospital. “It was
prayed over the hospital workers,” said
encouraging to see members of our commu-
David Oceguera, lead pastor for the church
nity lined up in our parking lot to lift us up
and also a chaplain for the hospital. “About
in prayer.”
35 people were praying and sending our
Oceguera said the church held similar
best vibes to them.” Assistant pastor David
events in the summer of 2020 and fall of
Quilatan was inside the hospital, praying
2021; there is another hospital blessing
38 APRIL 2022
planned for June 25. These blessings are part of the church’s efforts to build relationships with the Bolingbrook community and, additionally, to show thanks for everything the hospital workers have done during the pandemic. “We wanted to tell our healthcare workers that they are seen, they are appreciated, and we acknowledge their sacrifice,” he said. Oceguera said he has witnessed this sacrifice firsthand as a chaplain for the hospital. “I have seen the long hours people are working, their compassion,” he said. “They are heroes. They are saving people’s lives.” P Julie Busch, associate vice president, Internal Communication, AMITA Health
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