Empowering the Older Generation to Share their Stories

In every church, there are people who carry the weight of a lifetime of faith. They are the quiet prayer warriors, the steadfast saints, the ones who have seen both sorrow and joy – and through it all, have seen God’s hand at work. Often, they are our older members, those who have walked with the Lord for decades and carry stories that speak of a faithful God in every season of life.

Take Corrie ten Boom, for example – a name many will recognise from her powerful testimony during and after the Second World War. In her later years, Corrie travelled the world speaking about God’s forgiveness, having survived Ravensbrück concentration camp after hiding Jews in her family’s home in the Netherlands. But one day, while speaking in Germany, she was approached by a former Nazi guard from that very camp. He didn’t recognise her, but she recognised him. As he stretched out his hand and asked her for forgiveness, Corrie froze. Her heart was full of pain and resistance.  She silently prayed, “Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness.” And as she reached out her hand, she later said, “a current started in my shoulder, raced down my arm, sprang into our joined hands. And then this healing warmth seemed to flood my whole being, bringing tears to my eyes: ‘I forgive you, brother,’ I cried, ‘with all my heart!’”

Even in her brokenness, God answered her desperate prayer in that moment. A miracle of grace and healing – not decades ago, but in the later years of her life. Stories like hers are all around us – tucked away in the hearts of older people who have prayed and experienced God’s provision in hardship, his comfort in grief, his guidance in uncertainty, and his joy in unexpected places. These are not just personal memories. They are testimonies… living reminders of the faithfulness of God. They need to be heard and celebrated.

The power of remembering
The Bible is full of calls to remember. “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago,” writes the psalmist (Psalm 77:11). Remembering is a spiritual act. It grounds us. It lifts our eyes. And when we invite others to remember with us, it becomes an act of worship and witness. But remembering can sometimes be hard. Life moves fast. Loss and loneliness can make past blessings feel distant. And for older people – especially those who feel overlooked or forgotten – sharing their stories requires an engaged listener. That’s where the local church can make a profound difference.

Story gatherers
Churches have a beautiful opportunity to be places where stories are gathered, honoured, recorded and shared. Whether through pastoral visits, midweek groups, coffee mornings, or services in residential care homes, the Church can help older people uncover and reflect on the moments where God met them – sometimes in dramatic ways, other times in quiet whispers. It doesn’t need to be complicated. It simply needs to be intentional.

Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer is about telling stories. We are building the UK’s largest monument near Birmingham as a symbol of hope. The structure will include one million bricks, each one will be digitally scannable to reveal a story of answered prayer. Charities like Faith in Later Life can play such a key role to make this dream possible. Those who are already working to reach and serve older people are in a prime position to draw out these stories. With time, listening, and love, they can help capture testimonies that will inspire others and bring encouragement to the teller, ensuring their incredible stories live on.

We have created a series of short, themed e-books as part of our Answered Prayer Pledge, designed not just to collect stories, but to help people reflect on their own. Each one explores a different topic, such as God’s provision, healing, peace, or direction, and features an inspiring video, a free ebook, and encouraging stories to help you share your testimony.

Leaving a legacy
Ultimately, these stories are not just for us. They are for the generations that follow. We live in a time when young people are searching for meaning and hope. What better gift to give them than a legacy of faith from those who have gone before? Imagine a granddaughter standing in front of Eternal Wall, reading a story of how her grandmother found faith in the middle of war, or how a widower prayed for peace and found it in Christ. These stories will not only be remembered – they will speak.

If you serve older people in your church, we invite you to start gathering stories. Honour them. Record them. Share them. Let’s not wait until it’s too late. Let’s listen, celebrate, and pass on the stories of those who have faithfully walked with God for many years. Their legacy is a gift to us all.

Explore free resources to help start the conversation at www.eternalwall.org.uk

Contact Michelle at michelle@eternalwall.org.uk to discuss ways you or your church can get involved.