Background
HeartSprings began as a dream many years ago by a group of individuals in the community who put forth the vision and mission of HeartSprings. It was later implemented in Messiah Lutheran’s Health Ministry program.
HeartSprings started informally in the fall of 2005 opening for two hours once a week, growing now to two full days. It seemed only natural that a church would have a healing center, because of Christ’s mission on earth.
Being a student of holistic healing methods for many years, our mission to provide health, hope and healing for ALL through our ministries, education, and community projects and offerings began.
HeartSprings separated off from the church in 2009 and formed its own separate nonprofit. Messiah Lutheran Church in Fargo, ND still offers space and assistance to keep the center open.
The Founder and Executive Director was originally trained as an Occupational Therapist beginning her work in hospitals and school systems specializing in pediatrics. She later discovered Parish Nursing (integrating faith, health and science) and after finishing her graduate degree in Human Development worked in three different churches for the last 15 years establishing bereavement support, visitation, and health ministries programs. Jan, is also co-author of the book entitled The Bereavement Ministry Program, published by Ave Maria Press.
But, it was in her work as Minister of Health for the past 15 years and her own experience of helping to take care of her father who had Parkinson's Disease (PD) that she experienced and witnessed the suffering, loneliness, pain, grief, and unnecessary burdens that families and individuals carry.
HeartSprings center is an oasis; a “spring” where people can come to feel supported, nurtured, re-freshed, re-newed, and re-balanced!
So, it is HeartSprings’ prayer that as you enter this center, we may help guide you to YOUR center.
“From our heart to yours, may you find healing in this place!”
Peace and Healing,
Jan Nelson, OTR/L, MA
Founder and Executive Director of HeartSprings
Updated January 2012