About Us

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IN SHORT
Messiah Lifeways is a non-profit organization headquartered in Mechanicsburg, PA, that provides a network of services for adults 55 and better living in South Central PA. Our roots trace back to 1896, when the Brethren in Christ Church founded Messiah Home in Harrisburg, PA to serve older adults with Christ-like love.
From the beginning,
Messiah Lifeways has been committed to changing the conversation about aging. We want to push the boundaries and resist the stereotypes. We do not fear growing older. Rather, we re-imagine the journey of aging as a time of purpose, zest, and faith-filled living.

Today, it is our dream to inspire everyone 55 and better to live life fully. We pour our heart and soul into every interaction and every relationship, so that we can overcome the challenges and enjoy the triumphs along the journey.

We invite anyone in the community who is 55 and better to walk with us and explore all the possibilities of Messiah Lifeways, to continue to seek purpose and zest, and to grow as individuals. Together, we can redefine aging and what it means to grow older. Together, we can live – Life. Embraced.
Mission & Values

We are a ministry that responsibly enhances the lives of older adults with Christ-like love in the Mechanicsburg area.

Founded by the Brethren in Christ Church, Messiah Lifeways is a ministry that invites residents, clients, employees, volunteers, families, donors, external partners, and other friends to create an effective team that:
  • Responsibly exercises prudent stewardship and operational excellence
  • Enhances the lives of older adults with a spectrum of healthcare, housing, and community services that offers opportunities for spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, and social well-being
  • Embraces Christ-like love as the model and vision for service

In early 2019, Messiah Lifeways formed an internal advisory group known as the “Social Accountability and Community Benefit Task Force.” In support of our mission and commitment to social accountability, one of the first and most fundamental duties of the group was to conduct a Senior Living Community Needs Assessment (SLCNA) in order to better serve, care, and advocate for older adults. Visit our community needs webpage to learn more.

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Our History
1895
1895

Over 100 Years of Ministry

Messiah Lifeways traces its origins to 1895, when two women from the Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ congregation met with friends and expressed deep concern for widows and orphans.

Through the diligence of a small, but determined group, the first Messiah Rescue and Benevolent Home finally opened on March 1, 1896 in one-half of an existing building at 1175 Bailey Street in Harrisburg. Meager donations, and gifts of goods and furniture, supported the new ministry. In late 1897, the building was razed to allow construction of a new, three-story frame structure that included a chapel seating 300. In May 1899, the Brethren in Christ Church formally accepted ownership of the home.
1901
1901

The Orphanage

In 1901, through specially donated funds, a separate brick building was constructed on the Bailey Street property to serve as an orphanage. By 1914, the orphanage moved to a 16-acre property near Grantham, PA, and ultimately to a site in Lancaster County (the current location of Mount Joy Country Homes).
1935
1935

The Home

During the early years of the century, the population of the home grew steadily. To accommodate the home’s growth, a new, larger, brick facility was built at the intersection of Paxton and 20th Streets in Harrisburg. On July 13, 1935, the home’s oldest resident, 99-year-old Elizabeth King, broke ground for the new home. With some help, she turned three shovels of dirt, looked up, smiled, and said “das ist genug” (that is enough). The event marked the beginning of the home’s Paxton Street history, where it remained for the next 42 years.
1976
1976

Messiah Village

By the 1960s, the Paxton Street facility, which could accommodate approximately 120 residents, had become crowded. The fact that the building was unsuited for nursing care, and considering the high cost of renovations required for new fire and building codes, made remodeling the site out of the question. Also, new concepts in care were emerging that led to plans for independent living cottages and expanded recreational programs and activities. After a long and tedious consideration process, the Board chose to build the new facility on a farm south of Mechanicsburg along U.S. Route 15. Ground for the new facility was broken in October 1976. It opened in 1978 under the new name of Messiah Village, and now, Messiah Village has grown into Messiah Lifeways, a community celebrating men and women age 62 and better who seek to live active lives, full of purpose and zest.
2022
2022

Messiah Lifeways Today

Today, Messiah Lifeways offers a wide variety of services including resident communities, home care, nursing care, lifelong learning, wellness, Adult Day, and more. Across the region, we offer the opportunity for everyone 55 and better to walk with us and explore the possibilities of living Life. Embraced.

Get to know the

Executive Team

Meet the team

The Board

Meet the people who lead our ministry.

Get to know the

Messiah Lifeways Board

Meet the board

A group photo of Messiah Lifeways board members

Front Row (left to right): Andrea Britton, Kyle Petty, Jennifer Dose, David Warren, Kathy Stuebing, Kimberly Henderson

Back Row (left to right): Wesley Carr, Mitchell Martin, Glen Heise, Keith Ebersole, Raeann Hamon, Michael Hoffner, Delbert Turman, Terry Freed

The cover of Messiah Lifeways Annual Report for 2022-2023 features a couple flying kites in a park

Annual Report 2022-2023

Here is a brief look back at the 2022 – 2023 fiscal year. Thank you for your support as we continue our mission to responsibly enhance the lives of older adults with Christ-like love. Click the image to view the full report.

MHS ASSOCIATION

Affiliations
See the organizations that Messiah Village is affiliated with.

Leading Age

A national association dedicated to making America a better place to grow old.

MHS ASSOCIATION

A not-for-profit committed to helping its members infuse faith and core values into their service ministries.

ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION

A national resource; dedicated to ending Alzheimer’s through research and helping & supporting those on the journey.

LEADINGAGE PA

Our local association; dedicated to helping Pennsylvania not-for-profits in our quest to serve older adults.

BRETHREN IN CHRIST CHURCH

Our founding and sustaining denomination, the Brethren in Christ Church in the US.

Partners

Messiah Lifeways is pleased to partner with the following organizations to provide quality services to adults 55 and better:

Culinesse Logo

Culinesse

Managing the culinary experience at Messiah Village.

ADVANTAGECARE REHAB

Providing skilled rehabilitation therapists at Messiah Village and Mount Joy Country Homes.

UPMC Pinnacle

Providing an on-site center for health.

Life. Embraced.

Messiah Lifeways

100 Mt. Allen Drive
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
717.697.4666

 

Mount Joy Country Homes

106 Bayberry Drive
Mount Joy, PA 17552
717.653.2356

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