Oaklawn Chaplain Kevin Farmwald holds the Cup of Cold Water Award he received in 2023. This honor is given to individuals or organizations for their acts of kindness and service to the community. Photo provided by Kevin Farmwald.

By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

Editor’s Note: This article was taken from the January issue of Senior Life St. Joe edition.

“I believe all Christians are called to look after those in the margins of life, seeing that those people have food, shelter, medical care and social justice,” stated Kevin Farmwald. “The Bible tells us in Isaiah 1:17 to rescue the oppressed, the widows and the orphans. These are people society often casts aside. Those who have mental illness are often in this category. They struggle for existence from day to day. Making a difference in their world gives me life.”

Farmwald has been the chaplain at Oaklawn for 11 years, serving both St. Joseph and Elkhart counties. He was born and raised in the Mennonite church.

“My parents and I were there every time the church doors opened. I was baptized in my late teens,” he said.

It wasn’t until his early 30s when Farmwald received a call to ministry.

“I’ve got a Master’s of Divinity from Associated Anabaptist Biblical Seminary in Elkhart,” he said.

He spent 20 years in congregational ministry in Indiana and Ohio.

“Although I’ve always had a heart for outreach, in the church I was paid to preach and do weddings and funerals; however, I did participate in social justice on the side and the church was Ok with that,” he said.

When Farmwald came to Oaklawn 11 years ago, he was able to minister to those in the margins of life. He has two major roles. One is coordinating spiritual care for the clients. He also educates the faith community on the needs of those who suffer mental illness. His other role is a bit different. He coordinates spiritual care for the staff.
“I’m also the team leader of homeless outreach in St. Joe and Elkhart counties. We meet people, who are homeless, in shelters, soup kitchens and under bridges. We bring services and resources to them. We may take them to the doctor if they have a serious illness. We might deliver a housing application and help them apply. We alert them to mental health services in the area,” Farmwald said.

He spends his days doing both ministries.

“Twenty five percent of the general population are diagnosed with a mental illness. That could be depression or anxiety. People diagnosed with mental illnesses are in the workforce, the congregations and in all walks of life. So, part of my ministry at Oaklawn is to encourage people of faith to welcome those diagnosed with mental illness into the faith community,” Farmwald said.

When asked to tell of his success stories, he remarked, “We measure things in little steps. I may help save a life by getting a homeless person to the doctor. We work together at Oaklawn to help people who are suffering addictions. We get people to a better place in life. That’s how I measure success.”

Farmwald is looking at semi-retirement at the end of this year.

“I love what I do and am in good health. So, I’ll still keep working but it will not be full time,” he said. “My wife, Dawn, and I met when she was working in a soup kitchen and I with the homeless. We unwind in the evenings together by walking our two golden doodles.”

The Farmwalds have nine grown children and six grandchildren.

“Each year, on Christmas morning, our family works together preparing food at the First Presbyterian Church in Goshen for those in need. We’re a family who enjoy making a difference in our world.”