Baptist Memorial Health Care’s prayer cross tradition began 10 years ago when leaders at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center dedicated a wooden prayer cross on Good Friday, March 25, 2016.
The hospital later gifted a prayer cross to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis. The tradition has continued with MBMC providing prayer crosses for each Baptist Memorial Hospital, including the newest one — Baptist Memorial Hospital-Paragould.
In 2017, MBMC became part of Baptist Memorial Health Care after the completion of a merger with Mississippi Baptist Health Systems.
“It was during the merger talks with Mississippi Baptist Health Systems that Baptist leaders who visited the hospital returned with stories of how people visiting or working there would spend time with the beautiful prayer cross,” said Anthony Burdick, system director of Pastoral Care for Baptist. “After Baptist leaders and team members saw the cross in the lobby of Baptist Memphis, everyone wanted one. We began placing them across the system and had dedication services each time. Every cross has been made by the Cabinet Shop staff at MBMC.”
Each prayer cross is 7 feet tall and constructed by Matt Taylor, lead millwright who has served MBMC for 14 years, and Dean Johnson, a carpenter with 22 years of service at MBMC. They cut, assemble, sand and paint the wood for each cross. The process takes about 10 days. Taylor and Johnson said the crosses are challenging to make as they involve many pieces of wood, but it is very meaningful to make them as the crosses offer hope and peace to others.
“As we’ve added hospitals, we’ve made sure each one has received a cross, not just to minister to folks, but as a reminder that they’re now part of our Baptist family,” said Burdick. “Thousands of lives have been touched by our prayer cross ministry over the past 10 years. We’ve seen some truly profound and touching requests.”
Baptist Health Sciences University and several Baptist clinics also have prayer crosses. Patients, guests, students and staff write their prayer requests on small, colorful slips of paper, fold them and place them between the wooden layers that make up the crosses.
“Chaplains regularly spend time before the crosses praying for those who’ve left their burdens there,” said Burdick. “Baptist Memorial Health Care Foundation funds the building of the crosses, and in some cases, groups or volunteers within a hospital have contributed to the cost for their hospital’s cross.”
During the last 10 years, the prayer crosses have become a strong symbol of Baptist’s commitment to a prayer ministry, especially during such challenging times as the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In 2021, on the first anniversary of our first COVID-19 case, Baptist had a joint prayer time across the system. Staff and leadership joined for prayer at their crosses,” said Burdick. “We are so grateful for the skill and commitment of our colleagues at Mississippi Baptist Medical Center who build these crosses. This beautiful and inspiring tradition would not be possible without them.”
