ASK is a ministry composed of members & friends of Christ Church of Oakbrook who provide Advocacy, Support & Knowledge for Seniors and Caregivers both from the church and from the community. The first goal of ASK is to provide help to those in need of assistance beyond the traditional and expected spiritual support. An additional goal, is to provide information, resources, and education to seniors, caregivers, other churches, and community agencies.

The ASK Ministry was founded by pastors, program staff members, and volunteers at Christ Church of Oakbrook, who wanted to assist the elderly by connecting them and their caregivers with the many services and agencies that could meet their needs. It was an increasing need for the more than 1,000 members of Christ Church of Oakbrook who are 65 years and older, and for the community, who are increasingly turning to the church for support that extends beyond the spiritual. The ASK Ministry helps people of all economic levels providing referral information as geographically close as possible to the person needing the referral.

The ASK database of information and reference library are concentrated on the geographic location of Christ Church of Oakbrook, which serves the western suburbs of Chicago, but has members attending church from such diverse areas as inner-city Chicago, Lake Forest to the north , Orland Park to the south, and St. Charles to the west.

The ministry began in October of 2001, and since its inception, Ask has helped in over 1500 situations, serving more than 1500 individuals by providing information on such diverse topics as medical equipment, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, in home caregivers, in home nursing, doctors & attorneys who specialize in geriatric care, dentistry, transportation, meals, legal assistance, case management, chore services, elder abuse, hospice, respite care, come & go assistance, counseling, grief support & caregiver support, and information on county and state agencies which serve the elderly.

The ASK Team is composed of The ASK Volunteer Team , who every Monday & Thursday, with at least two trained Team members, along with staff members, meet in the ASK office to discuss and meet the needs of older adults, their caregivers, and those with special needs, who present their questions either by phone (630-321-6770) or in person.

The ASK Care Team is made up of volunteers with medical, nursing, or social work expertise, who visit seniors (as in the Parish nurse model) to assess with housing, and /or health conditions.

You may wonder what would prompt a person to volunteer for the ASK Ministry. The following testimony is from one active member of the ASK Team:

“I speak personally, having cared for my mother who was a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease. I was a caregiver for almost ten years, eight of those in my home, while raising a young child. There was no support group, no advice, no one to turn to, other than my husband. I had to advocate daily on behalf of my mother, even after it became necessary to place her in a good facility. The feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, loneliness, anger and stress were overwhelming at times. How I wish there had been an ASK Ministry available to me. How fortunate I feel to be part of a Ministry that is so needed, and that does such rewarding work. If I can benefit one caregiver or senior with my experience and knowledge, then I feel I will be both honoring the memory of my dear mother, and the Commandment of my God."

We are very proud of the service that ASK is providing for seniors and caregivers. In the Narthex of Christ Church of Oakbrook stands a brass statue of a sower of seeds with the quotation, “Into All the World”. We are blessed that by our ever increasing ability to reach out to seniors and caregivers in the surrounding communities, we are truly able to realize our goal to reach out to the world around us.

“ASK, and it will be given to you."
Matthew 7:7