Staff Spotlight: Carol Steele, Bethesda Mission Medical Clinic Manager

1. How long have you worked at Bethesda Mission and in what role(s)?

I have worked at Bethesda Mission since September 2012, first as a part time RN and then full time since January 2016, as the Manager of the Medical Clinic.

2. What inspires you/motivates you to come to work each day?

I view my work as a calling, not just a job. I work for Bethesda Mission, but ultimately the work I do is ‘unto the Lord.’ I am accountable to Him for the quality of my work and the attitude in which I serve the people the Lord brings to the Medical Clinic. As an RN, I have the privilege of helping people with their healthcare needs/challenges, but at Bethesda I also have the privilege and freedom to share the Gospel. There are times when the needs of our guests are overwhelming and being able to lay those needs and our efforts to meet them before the Lord makes such a difference.

3. Tell us a little about your family.

I have been married to Trevor for almost 35 years. We were both born/raised in Northern Ireland and moved to the USA in 2000 when Trevor accepted a Pastoral position in Sylvania, Ohio. We moved to Carlisle PA in 2010, where Trevor currently serves as a Pastor at Carlisle Evangelical Free Church. We were blessed with 2 children, Andrew and Joanna. Joanna currently lives in Carlisle. Sadly, Andrew passed away in June 2012 at age 24, after a 10-
month battle with cancer.

4. The Medical Clinic has been affected more than most other ministries within Bethesda Mission. What has been your biggest challenge over the past year?

Covid fatigue!
At the beginning of the Pandemic, we put some policies in place to protect the guests and Staff throughout Bethesda facilities. Persevering with these restrictions has been a challenge for all of us. There is also a physical and emotional toll when working in a Shelter setting. Our guests often come here with no medical insurance, no access/connection to a physician, significant underlying heath conditions, no medications and are homeless – putting them in a high risk category for Covid. Assessing guests with Covid-like symptoms, accessing Covid testing and then working to isolate guests in a Shelter setting while waiting for the test results is challenging!

5. What are some of your favorite hobbies?

I like to read. My favorite secular author is Jane Austen. I am currently reading a book on Daniel by Alistair Begg entitled ‘Brave by Faith’ – highly recommend it! I play the piano, but not for public consumption! I also try to exercise daily.

6. What is a meaningful Bible verse to you and why?

Chapter 8 of Romans is very meaningful to me and a real encouragement to hold onto our hope as followers of Christ! If I had to choose a verse it would be Romans 8:28. It reminds me God is Sovereign and He is working all things for my good, even when I cannot see His hand at work in the sad, painful and confusing times. I love the closing verses of Romans 8 – none of the people or things listed “nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Christ is our hope, in life and death!!