The apostle Paul penned the insight inspired to him by the Holy Spirit, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. Romans 10:15. It is for this purpose that this ministry exists, bringing good news of hope and encouragement to those who are hospitalized and in a time of need. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our Lutheran hospital chaplain makes the rounds of the 9 hospitals in Columbia, Missouri.
The hospitals provide him with the names and room numbers of any patient who have identified themselves as Lutherans. The chaplain visits them in their rooms, bringing the Good News of the Gospel and the hope and encouragement found in the promises of God's word.
Mid-Missouri Lutheran Hospital Ministry, Inc. is a non-profit organization located in Columbia, Missouri for the purpose of providing chaplain visits for hospitalized Lutheran patients in Columbia. This ministry provides approximately 2500 visits per year to the 9 different hospital facilities in Columbia. It is supported by the generosity of mid-Missouri LCMS Lutheran churches, organizations and different individuals. It receives no LCMS district funding.
It began in 1975 under the efforts of Pastor Henry J. Kleindienst, who became the organization’s first chaplain. He served for 16 years until his death in 1991. Local pastors filled the vacancy until Pastor George Rattelmuller was hired in January of 1993, who then became the hospital chaplain for the next 13 years. In March of 2006, Pastor Richard Ingmire became the next chaplain and is currently in his 9th year. This means that since 1975, MMLHM has only had 3 chaplains, who during this 40 year span have visited over 115,000 hospitalized Lutheran patients! We are blessed to be able to represent the hands and feet of Christ to those who are experiencing a time of need in our Columbia hospitals.