About Baruch Senior Ministries

Providing Senior Care Across Michigan with Faith and Community

Baruch Senior Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to serving older adults through personalized senior care in Michigan. Our mission is rooted in honoring God while providing supportive environments where seniors can live with dignity, connection, and peace of mind.

An older woman sits at a table working on a puzzle, while three other elderly people talk and relax in a bright, sunlit common room.
Two elderly people and a caregiver sit at a table, smiling and stacking colorful blocks in a well-lit communal space.

Our Mission

Faith-Guided Senior Living for Every Stage of Aging

“Baruch Senior Ministries seeks to honor God by serving people as they age.”

Across our 28 communities, this mission guides every decision we make. We strive to create homes where residents feel valued, supported, and surrounded by people who care deeply about their well-being.

The Values That Guide Our Ministries

A Foundation of Faith, Compassion, and Service

Every Baruch community is shaped by a shared set of values that guide how we serve residents and their families.

Baruch Values

These six principles help create senior living communities where residents are treated with dignity and kindness every day.

  • B – Based on Faith

  • A – Always Quality Care & Caring
  • R – Respect
  • U – Using the Gift of a Team
  • C – Compassion
  • H – Honesty & Trust
An older woman in a wheelchair holds pink flowers while a younger woman smiles and embraces her outdoors in a park.

Our Story

Growing a Mission of Service Across Michigan

Baruch Senior Ministries began with a simple but powerful vision: to serve older adults with faith, quality care, respect, and kindness. Since the first community opened in 1997, Baruch has grown into a comprehensive network of senior living communities serving seniors and their families across Michigan.

While our organization has expanded over the years, our goals have remained the same: creating homes where seniors feel supported and connected.

Meet the Team Behind Baruch Senior Ministries

Dedicated Leaders Committed to Supportive Care

Our leadership team is dedicated to supporting residents, families, and communities throughout Michigan. Guided by Baruch’s mission and values, our leaders work to ensure every community provides a loving environment where residents feel respected and cared for.

A man with short gray hair and a trimmed beard wearing a navy blazer and light blue shirt stands in front of a tan brick wall, smiling at the camera.

Brian Nitz
VP of Operations

Brian joined Baruch Senior Ministries in July of 2006 when Baruch acquired Somerset Manors. Prior to this acquisition, Brian worked for Somerset Manors for 15 years. He started working there as a college student doing grounds and maintenance. While working on his bachelor’s degree at Grand Valley State University, Brian was offered multiple internships with Somerset Manors which would land him in roles including the Associate Administrator and the Executive Director. Brian graduated from Grand Valley State University in 1997 with his Bachelor of Business Administration and received a minor in Aging and Adult Development. Since joining Baruch 15 years ago, Brian has been positioned in various roles that include: Marketing, Administration, and a Regional Operations Director. With over 30 years of experience in senior care, Brian transitioned to Vice President of Operations in January of 2024 to strengthen and expand the mission and impact of Baruch Senior Ministries.

A man with short light hair wearing a checked blazer and light shirt stands in front of a beige brick wall, smiling at the camera.

Chris Meengs
VP Human Resources

Chris joined Baruch Senior Ministries in March of 2013. Prior to working at Baruch, Chris spent 15 years in the IT and Education industries. Chris initially started as an Operations Support Coordinator, but as the company continued to grow, his responsibilities in Human Resources continued to grow. He spent several years as the Director of Human Resources before transitioning to his current role as Vice President of Human Resources in 2022. Chris received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Calvin University and received his MBA with a concentration in Human Resources from Davenport University. He also holds his PHR certification from HRCI. Chris has a passion for helping Baruch fulfil its mission to take care of people as they age, and enjoys working with our operations team to help find fellow employees who share that vision.

A woman wearing glasses and a turquoise blazer, with shoulder-length black hair, facing the camera against a plain background.

Joan Cornelison
VP Spiritual Care & Church Partnerships

Pastor Joan Cornelison joined Baruch Senior Ministries in September 2020 as our Vice President of Spiritual Care and Church Partnerships. Pastor Joan will be leading the effort to carry the Baruch mission and philosophy of spiritual care throughout the organization. This will include management of our Chaplain program and further development of local church partnerships and other programs to ensure that we are meeting the spiritual needs of our residents, families, and staff. Pastor Joan holds a Bachelor of Education Degree, Master of Literature Degree, Certificate in Christian Ministries, and a Master of Divinity Degree. She served for 15 years as the Executive Director of Pastoral Services for Hope Network, a Michigan organization that serves those with disabilities and disadvantages. She is also the Founder of Esther’s Hope Ministries, which educates and mentors underserved young women in Africa. Pastor Joan furthermore served on Baruch’s Board of Directors prior to accepting this new role.

Supporting Residents Through the Baruch Foundation

Extending Our Mission of Senior Care and Service

The Baruch Foundation helps support programs and initiatives that strengthen our communities and provide resources for residents and families. Through generosity and stewardship, the foundation helps expand opportunities for exceptional care and engagement within Baruch communities. As part of our nonprofit mission, Baruch offers the Lifetime Promise, a confidential program designed to support qualified residents if financial circumstances change.

Three older adults sit at a table playing a game, with one man raising his arms in celebration while the others smile. Breakfast foods and drinks are on the table.

Connect With Baruch Senior Ministries

Have questions about our services or the homes that make up our communities? We’re here to help guide you as you explore senior living options.