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CENTRAL TEXAS:
The Spirit of a Volunteer
By
Tom Nuckels, Director of Spiritual Care
Lifeline Chaplaincy Central Texas
Steve Anthens, Lifeline Volunteer
When I first met Steve Anthens, I realized
that this person had a true heart for ministry. He was
an enthusiastic learner when he attended our Creating
A Healing Community workshop in the Spring of 2010.
He had a contagious smile and quick sense of humor that
endeared me to him immediately.
Steve wanted more than anything to be
a Lifeline volunteer. His interest grew from his personal
experience as a heart patient several years ago. Over
lunch, he once shared with me, “Tom, I noticed
people with all kinds of illnesses, suffering alone
in the hospital room, while I was blessed to have family,
friends and church members visit me almost daily. I
felt for them, so I want to return the kindness that
has been shown to me.”
In the Fall of 2010, Steve, along with
me and several other volunteers, attended the hospital
orientation at the Georgetown Hospital. This is required
by the hospital for all pastoral care volunteers in
order to become part of the volunteer chaplaincy team
and to minister to patients on a rotating basis.
Steve and I were planning “shadow”
visits, which is required of all Lifeline volunteers,
as well. These visits are made with new volunteers and
the chaplain in order that together they might process
and reflect on the visit, thus developing their skill
in ministry. This is the final step before we allow
new volunteers go “solo” and become a part
of the volunteer team.
Unfortunately, Steve received a diagnosis
of pancreatic cancer and was never able to complete
his training. Although he fought a courageous battle,
he succumbed to the disease on August 16, 2011.
During the last days of Steve’s life,
however, I have never seen such courage and enthusiasm
for life. Although enduring much physical pain, he was
cheerful to all who entered his room. He spoke words
of gratitude to the doctors and nurses who administered
medical care. To elders and church members who visited,
he would offer a word of encouragement and cheer, sometimes
wording a prayer for the visitor.
The chaplain coordinator of the hospital,
Wally Brown, approached me a few days before Steve’s
death. He told me, “Tom, I know that Lifeline volunteers
must complete their training before working in a hospital,
but I need to tell you that I was so impressed by Steve
ministering to people from his bed that I told him that
he was offcially a volunteer chaplain for our department.”
As we shared tears, I confessed to Wally, “That’s
okay, I did the same thing!”
Steve will be sorely missed by all who
knew him and experienced his enduring enthusiasm for
life. We will miss his contagious spirit of service
toward others which he demonstrated at all times, but
especially from his hospital bed. To me, Steve exemplified
the spirit of our Lifeline volunteers, that of genuine
concern for others, a heart for service, and spirit
of compassion.
It is this “spirit of a volunteer”
that makes Lifeline Chaplaincy to be the success that
it is in all of our locations throughout the state.
Volunteers truly “make” Lifeline, for without
them we could not do what we do. I am deeply grateful
to God to have had the privilege to know Steve, but
his story of a caring heart could be told about multiple
others who serve as volunteers. To them, I also give
my heartfelt thanks. May God bless all our volunteers
who give countless hours of their time and listening
ears to those to whom we are privileged to serve.
INFORMATION:
Westover
Hills Church of Christ emphasized Lifeline’s ministry
video 
Lifeline
Chaplaincy On The Move video
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Texas Newsletter
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