An Investor’s Journey from Nurse to Deaconess

Five minutes with Deaconess Jeri Morrison

When Deaconess Jeri Morrison gradually shifted from being a registered nurse to a commissioned deaconess, her life was turned upside down in some of the best ways possible. A native of New York, Morrison grew up in the church but found that faith seemed confined only to Sunday mornings. As time went on, she wanted more. Now serving as deaconess in a thriving team ministry at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, Morrison has more than 2,700 people under her care, and living out the Christian faith is part of her every day.

Why did you choose to become a deaconess?
Jeri Morrison: I was working as a nurse, someone suggested that I consider deaconess ministry, and I discovered that, historically, nurses were deaconesses! I thought, I love being a nurse and caring for people, but how neat would it be to also provide spiritual care while I’m providing physical care? It would be a more holistic approach to be able to meet with someone for spiritual care but also help them navigate the hospital system. I knew I’d need the deaconess background to do that well.

How does your experience as a nurse benefit you in your service as a deaconess?
JM: I had one person who’d had migraines for years, and it ended up being a brain aneurysm. In caring for the family, I was able to help them understand the proposed treatment options and end-of-life issues from a faith perspective. I’m also familiar and comfortable with the beeps and the buzzers in a hospital room, and I know what resources a person might need when they get home and can help get them connected with those. Collaborating with others is another area that translates from nursing to ministry—it takes a community to care for another person.

What do you love most about being a deaconess?
JM: Being a deaconess is great because every deaconess does something different. God takes your degree and combines it with who you already are, and He puts you in a place to serve. I love the people and the different ways that I get to connect with them. Recently, we had a mobile pantry event where we opened our fellowship hall to people who are struggling to make ends meet, and we were able to help provide them with food and friendly faces. I also get to connect with the volunteers that are there, build relationships and make myself available to them in their time of need. It’s a blessing to be able to help people to lament and see hope in the midst of trouble.

Why do you invest with LCEF?
JM: LCEF offers a wonderful opportunity to give back to my church at large, yet I get benefits back from it, too, as the interest rates are better. I have StewardAccounts and a mortgage loan with LCEF, and I’ve opened Young Investors accounts for my niece and nephew. I love being able to help the greater ministry of the church. It’s one thing to help your congregation and district, but knowing that the money I’ve invested is helping the broader ministry … that’s really cool.