Pastor’s Mustache Sparks New Ministry

Story by Evan Knott

A conversation sparked by a mustache has led to an uplifting ministry for residents of an assisted living facility in Delaware.

Pastor Brian Litzenberger, whose distinctive mustache caught the eye of one of the facility’s residents during a Fourth of July parade last year, was invited to speak at the facility after revealing that he was a pastor. Now, the Open Arms church in Milton, Del., now holds a weekly service for the residents every Friday morning.

The program, that averages an attendance of 10 to 20 residents each week, consists of singing and a short devotional, emphasizing practical applications from Bible stories.

The new ministry has opened up additional opportunities for church members to minister to the facility’s residents and staff. Litzenberger now functions as an unofficial volunteer chaplain, and several residents and staff have visited the church.

Litzenberger says the church’s goal is to love people like Jesus. “It’s a really awesome ministry,” he adds. “We often leave with more of a blessing than we feel like we've given them.”