Bill & Cathy Goodrich – Bill Goodrich President & Founder
Bill Goodrich served three years in the United States Army as a combat engineer. He worked for Alcoa in Quality Control for 13 years, during which time he was born again. At the age of 26, Bill began visiting in local nursing homes to bring comfort to those who were lonely. This blossomed into a desire for full-time ministry. After earning a BD from Springs of Life College, he served part time as an associate pastor. In 1994, Bill took a leap of faith and dove in to full-time service, founding God Cares Ministry. Since that time, he has achieved his Master of Ministry, authored several books and resources to train and equip nursing home missionaries, and developed a nursing home ministry training program and a Bible study curriculum for seniors. Over the years Bill has trained thousands of missionaries to serve in this mission field. He serves as President and Executive Director of God Cares Ministry and continues to minister in the way he loves most – in two local nursing homes. Bill’s wife Cathy serves alongside Bill in the mission field. She has a BFA from Central Michigan University and has worked many years in a variety of positions for the church, the most resent being the church administrator. Cathy is now working as the Media Coordinator for God Cares Ministry. One of Cathy’s favorite Bible verses is Psalm 103 and one of Bill’s favorite Bible verses is; “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.” ~ 2 Corinthians 4:5
Dennis Barta – Board Member, Vice President
Pastor Dennis Barta earned his BA from Fort Wayne Bible College in 1974 and his MA from Asbury Theological Seminary in 1979. Dennis began church ministry in 1974 and has served in five different Christian & Missionary Alliance churches. Since 1999, Pastor Dennis has served on the ministry staff at Grace CMA Church in Middleburg Heights, currently as the Congregational Care Pastor. His personal ministries include prayer, teaching, pastoral counseling and visitation. Dennis has also written a collection of resources for discipling children and has co-authored other published works. Heading up Grace’s nursing home ministry, he oversees 8 care teams that serve in 12 care facilities. These volunteers provide friendship and spiritual care to approximately 150 residents each month. Dennis is personally in care homes regularly to visit, share life-giving messages and serve communion. He is currently the ministry’s Vice President. One of Dennis’s favorite Bible verses is; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1.9 Craig Raycraft – Board Member, Treasurer
Craig Raycraft received a Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University and then began a 35-year career with TruGreen Lawncare Company. Starting as a Field Horticulturist in Lansing MI, he was promoted into the General Manager role and worked in several Midwest branch offices spanning the next 24 years. Craig spent the last seven years of his career as the Great Lakes Regional Director overseeing 21 branch office locations. Craig and his wife Pam have served in various roles with their church over the years including children’s ministries, mentoring young married couples, facilitating bible study groups, and serving as Deacons. While planning for retirement, Craig was in prayer about what God’s will was for him in the next chapter of his life. In the spring of 2020 Bill Goodrich asked if Craig would help GCM find a software solution for their inventory management as well as assist with the procurement of SonShine Ministry resources in Seattle WA. From here he became a Board Advisor and is excited to serve as the next Board Treasurer for God Cares Ministry. A favorite Bible verse is; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” ~ Joshua 1:9 Fran Palffy – Board Member, Secretary
Fran Palffy received her BS degree in elementary education with a minor in library science from Radford University. God has blessed Her with four grown children and five beautiful grandchildren. After serving the Lord for over 30 years in Christian education she is now volunteering in the nursing home ministry. Her involvement in nursing home ministry began many years ago through her husband John’s connection with Bill Goodrich and God Cares. She has served on many God Cares committees over the years and helps annually with the Legacy picnic. She has been on the board since the early 2000s and is currently acting secretary. One of Fran’s favorite Bible verses is; “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths.” ~ Proverbs 3: 5,6 Mary Kerner Bowman – Board Member
Mary Kerner Bowman has had a wide array of life experiences. She is the mother of two children, one with significant handicaps. She has managed a horse and dairy farm, joyfully served for 17 years as a school bus driver and then devoted 10 years to the field of medical assisting. Mary was drawn to Christ through the witness of other people, and has a soft heart for people belonging to a variety of denominations. Mary’s experience with nursing home ministry began as she was going through a difficult time in her life and drove past a nursing home facility. Mary knew that going in a care home would be challenging, but she felt God prompting her to go in. Soon after that, Mary discovered God Cares Ministry, quickly attended a seminar and became deeply involved in nursing home ministry. Mary has served in 5 different care facilities, organizing Bible studies, worship services, one on one visits and Gospel sing-a-longs and encouraging pastors to become involved. Currently, Mary leads 2 Bible study groups, 2 volunteer groups, a care center worship service, 2 communion services in different care centers and serves on the board where she has been a member for 10 years. One of Mary’s favorite Bible verses is; “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” ~ Philippians 4:6 Larry D. Looney, CPM – Board Member
Larry Looney received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management from Kent State University. Larry has extensive experience in multi-housing management and development. Larry has been connected with ABC management for over 40 years serving as the Chief Executive Officer and currently serving as their President. Larry’s involvement in nursing home ministry began 8 years ago. Throughout that time, Larry has had many opportunities to share the gospel and has been blessed in a variety of ways through interaction with the residents. Larry supports God Cares Ministry because he believes in the work that they are doing. Personally, Larry has attended a number of God Cares training sessions and found them to be very helpful. Larry believes “residents need to hear that God loves them and has a plan for their life… even if they are in their twilight years”. Larry has experienced many residents being open to spiritual discussion and believes that nursing home ministry “is a great opportunity for churches and individuals to get involved and serve Christ in a very practical way.” Larry became an official member of God Cares Ministry’s board in 2012. One of Larry’s favorite Bible verses is; “For by grace you have been saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God – not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” ~ Ephesians 2:8, 9 & 10 Brian R. Hassett, JD, CPWA® – Board Member
Brian Hassett is a Senior Vice President serving as a Wealth Strategist and Private Business Strategist with PNC Private Bank and PNC Ohio Trust Company. He leads clients through the diverse phases of wealth management, assisting them to tax- and cost-efficiently grow, manage, preserve, distribute and transfer their wealth. Brian has been engaged in a 30+ year career in Wealth Management, having first served clients from a traditional law firm setting as a Trust & Estates and Business Succession Planning attorney, and most recently serving clients as a consultant in the financial services industry. He graduated from Cornell University and the CSU Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, and later earned the Certified Private Wealth Advisor and Certified Exit Planning Advisor designations. Brian first began to understand the eternal importance of care home ministry in the mid-1990s as a member of a local church outreach to physically and developmentally challenged young adults residing in a group care home. He witnessed the loneliness and despair of the severely disabled, who rarely received visits, even from family members. He observes that the vast majority of individuals residing in care homes, whether young or elderly, have been abandoned, forgotten or have outlived the last of their family. And it is his belief that serving these individuals is one of the highest callings a person can answer. Brian was introduced to God Cares Ministry by a benefactor of this ministry in 2008, when he then began to offer Godly wisdom and support as an Advisor to the Board of Directors. Now as a Board Member since 2016, he continues to work with the ministry team to further the ministry’s principal mission of recruiting, training, equipping and supporting the volunteer nursing home missionaries who are on the front lines impacting the current and eternal lives of care home residents’ through serving their spiritual needs. One of Brian’s favorite Bible verses is; “When I called out to You, You answered me; You made me bold and stouthearted.” ~ Psalm 138:3 Dick Lee – Board Advisor
Many of you may remember Dick Lee in his many years as manager of Moody Radio Cleveland, WCRF 103.3 (now retired). Dick has served in Christian radio ministry for 38 years in Michigan, Arizona and Ohio. He has been an Advisor to the Board since 2015. He shared, “God has opened my eyes through working with Chaplain Bill Goodrich and God Cares Ministry of the significant mission field found in the residents of nursing homes and care facilities. What an amazing opportunity for us as individuals and for our churches.” One of Dick’s favorite Bible verses is; “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” ~ Philippians 4:8 & 9 Brad Fisk – Board Advisor
Brad Fisk has his Bachelor’s Degree in Radio and Television Production. With a wealth of experience in media, Brad has had the opportunity to work with Focus on the Family as their Broadcast Director, as well as with national media agencies and radio clients. Currently Brad owns and operates Fisk Media Services, where he engages in occasional “on air” fundraising at radio stations. He consults a variety of para-church organizations helping to grow their ministry using radio. Brad’s involvement in nursing home ministry is 19 plus years strong, which includes conducting a monthly hymn-sing and additional activities in a local care center. One of Brad’s favorite Bible verses is; “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.” ~ Lamentations 3:22-23 Deborah Feller - Board Advisor
Deborah Feller attended Ashland University and received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
For over 30 years Deborah has been very involved in church activities including children’s Sunday school, church treasurer and director of vacation bible school. She also feels blessed to be a part of a church that has a care home ministry that supports God Cares Ministry. Deborah and her husband became involved with God Cares Ministry when a friend asked them to visit her father at a local care home. It soon became apparent that they needed training so they reached out to Bill Goodrich. That began 15 plus years of visiting, encouraging and praying with these dear people on a weekly basis. Also, because of the need for spiritual care for the elderly beyond short visitations, they started a mini church service on Sunday mornings in a dementia floor for ten years which ended with Covid and her husband’s battle with dementia. After Deborah’s husband’s passing, she returned to visiting in a local care home in a memory unit and feels blessed to be able to sing the old hymns with the residents and to share her love of Jesus with them. Mike Laurito – Board Advisor
Mike Laurito attained his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from West Virginia University in 2004, and later accomplished his M.B.A from Cleveland State University. Mike decided to first get involved in nursing home ministry after overhearing a conversation at church regarding this type of ministry. After visiting a home and meeting Bill Goodrich and all the residents, Mike quickly recognized this was a very important ministry. It was then he realized that this “often-overlooked” mission field was right in his own backyard. Mike believes that nursing home ministry is vital because in a very real way, every time you share the gospel with a resident it may be the last opportunity they have to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. Since his first experience in 2009, Mike has continued serving at that same nursing home and has the blessing of sharing God’s Word with people who, in Mike’s words “have taught me far more than I was probably able to share with them.” One of Mike’s favorite Bible verses is; “As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” ~ James 2:26 Jeremy Moorman – Board Advisor
Jeremy Moorman… God Cares Ministry Staff:
Kim Aukerman – Administrative Assistant
Kim Aukerman began working with God Cares Ministry in June 2012. She loves serving through providing administrative support to the GCM team, connecting and helping volunteers, processing orders, and assisting with training and events. A graduate of Berea High School, Kim attended Cuyahoga Community College and has over 37 years combined experience in bookkeeping, secretarial, office management and general clerical work. She has been ministering in nursing homes for 22 years. One of Kim’s favorite Bible verses is; “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he trusted me and gave me this work of serving him.” ~ 1 Timothy 1:12 Max Eble – Distribution Coordinator
Max Eble received his Bachelor’s of the Arts in Religious Studies from Cleveland State University. Max brings 13 years of automotive and banking retail management experience to our resource distribution center. Here’s what he had to say about his entrance to God Cares Ministry: “I’ve always had a hunger and thirst to know God intimately. Along my faith journey God communicated some very direct words to me over 7 years ago: ‘recruit an army for me.’ I’m honored to be a part of the ministry at God Cares where I can explore my calling and serve God’s kingdom for our King Jesus Christ. One thing God has taught me is that in surrendering all and taking a position beneath our creator is where He reveals His awesome character. When I humbly seek Him in reading and meditating on His word, He is always faithful to feed my soul and change my heart to care about the things he treasures: all people, justice, righteousness, holiness, love, the least of these, and much more!” Max’s favorite Bible verse is; “Be still and know that I am God.” ~ Psalm 46:10 Jackie Burns - National Awareness Coordinator
Jackie graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2019 with a Bachelor of the Arts in Opera Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, and again in 2021 with a Masters of Science in Interdisciplinary Gerontology with a specialization in Long-Term Administrative Care. Jackie has field experience in a variety of settings ranging from home healthcare, continuum care, and community-based services. Jackie’s research spans a variety of interests including; children of nursing home residents experience during the COVID-19 Pandemic, the role of the social worker in the nursing home, and the use of the eco-map to navigate the complex relationships between an individual, their community, and societal influences at large. Jackie also worked during the COVID Pandemic in several roles; a resident aide in a dementia unit, admissions director for a 70-bed skilled nursing facility, and the director of the volunteer program at a local hospice agency. After discerning that it was time to step away from healthcare, Jackie was blessed to be introduced to God Cares Ministry through a mutual friend. The mission of God Cares is a natural extension of her love for Jesus and the elderly. One of Jackie’s favorite scriptures is; “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing. Gives thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Arlene Sikorski – Publications Editor
Arlene Sikorski is God Cares Ministry’s Publications Editor. She enjoys interviewing volunteers and hearing their testimonies of how the Lord is working in the care homes. Arlene achieved an M.S. in Occupational Therapy from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a B. A. in Music from Baldwin-Wallace College. Serving in nursing home ministry for 20 years, Arlene enjoys playing keyboard for worship services, sing-alongs and special events. She has also worked in nursing homes for 2 years as an occupational therapist. Arlene is grateful to serve God Cares Ministry as a writer and co-editor for the newsletter and other publications. One of Arlene’s favorite Bible verses is; “One thing have I asked of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple.” ~ Psalm 27:4 Kim Saywell – Relations Coordinator
Kim Saywell joined GCM as Ministry Relations Coordinator (east side) in 2018. Kim has a thirty-five year background in client sales and support positions in the telecommunications industry. Over the last decade, Kim cared for her mother during her courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. It was during this season that Kim was led to the ministry. Seeking training from the ministry to serve others similarly situated as her mom, opened her heart and will to this mission. These blessed opportunities have had great impact to her growing faith in Jesus and in her commitment to purposely and actively love others. Kim prays that each person visiting our website would resolve to serve our lovely elderly confined to a senior living community. One of Kim’s favorite Bible verses is; Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:1-2 Rosie Biggs – Bookkeeper
Rosie Biggs works as the God Cares Ministry Bookkeeper. Rosie shared that “My heart for Jesus goes without saying, He is my everything. Bringing my financial and administrative background to God Cares has been such a blessing to my life above all else. It is a joy to be a part of a team who loves Jesus so much and reminds me of this scripture everyday!” ““And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these my little ones, my true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for me.’”~ Matthew 25:40 TPT Nora Burkholder – Outreach Team Coordinator
Nora earned her BSBA and MBA from Myers University. She worked at a local community college for almost 19 years serving as administrative support as well as in a supervisory role in the Enrollment Services department. She has been a licensed minister since 2020 and served as Assistant Pastor at Elyria Foursquare Church. Nora’s care home experience started at age 18 at a continuum of care facility. After that she worked in various capacities in nursing homes for more than 13 years. Nora was also her husband’s and best friends’ caregiver for more than 7 years before he lost his battle with cancer in 2017. Nora found she had a passion and a calling to work with/serve the elderly in her community. The residents have become family to her where she loves to hear their stories and share their memories. Nora has been blessed with three children and five grandchildren. Her favorite Bible verse is; “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes on him shall have everlasting life.” ~ John 3:16 