Schumacher new chaplain at Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice

November 18, 2014

(GREAT BEND, KAS.) - When Larry Schumacher, Great Bend, learned the chaplain position was open at Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, he knew he was being called again.

And since he hasn't looked back after answering an earlier call, he knew this position was right for him.

I was called to the ministry later in life about 12 years ago, said Schumacher, 59. So when I heard about the opening here at Golden Belt Home Health & Hospice, I knew it was a God thing.

My life is centered around caring for people and helping them in whatever way I can, he explained. I believe I can help this great non-profit agency add value to peoples lives.

Schumacher tends to the spiritual needs of GBHH&H patients and their families who are facing illness and death.

I can walk side by side with them during the illness and help prepare for a hospice patients end of life, he said. And when families need guidance during the grieving process, I will be here.

The spiritual side of grief is very, very important, he continued. Patients and families can get in touch with that side by talking with a chaplain and others, while meeting the challenges of life and the end of life.

The new chaplain is replacing John Grummon, who recently retired. I know I have big shoes to fill, Schumacher said. John has served families for many years and supported me during this transition. He will be sorely missed.
Schumacher also noted he has been acquainted with some of the GBHH&H nurses over the years, which was yet another deciding factor in accepting his new job.

This is a great bunch of nurses compassionate and professional, he said. I hear nothing but good comments from the public about the nurses and the rest of the staff here. I am fortunate to be involved with this well-respected agency.

Schumacher, who also is pastor of the Assembly of God Church in Lyons, serves part-time at GBHH&H. He received his formal education from Global University, which is affiliated with Assembly of God, and Assembly of God Kansas School of Ministry.

But education is never completed, he said. I will always be seeking more education to advance myself. I have to learn and grow to help our clients learn and grow.

Prior to the ministry, Schumacher was the meat department manager at Food 4 Less in Great Bend, and also worked at BOC Gases in Otis.

His community outreach has included serving on the Great Bend City Council and Barton County Fair Board; he also was active in the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce.

Schumacher and his wife Maryln, who is branch manager of Farmers Bank & Trust in downtown Great Bend, have two grown children Ryan Schumacher of Wichita and Amanda Henson of Kansas City. The Schumachers have five grandchildren.

GBHH&H, which is part of the St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center family, has been serving central Kansans since 1979. Its service area is Barton, Pawnee, Rush and part of Stafford counties.

St. Roses umbrella organization is Centura Health, which connects individuals and families across western Kansas and Colorado with more than 6,000 physicians, 15 hospitals, seven senior-living communities, physician practices and clinics, and home-care and hospice services.