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For more than 20 years, the Rev. Darrell Newby, 62, heard a sad refrain from the elderly in nursing homes and those isolated in their homes by lack of mobility.

"The first to forget them was their church and then their family and friends," he said. "That just worked on me."

While a pastor at the Columbia Falls Assembly of God Church, Newby stretched himself thinner and thinner as he tried to minister to that need along with his responsibilities to his flock. It became dire when North Valley Hospital closed its extended care unit and residents scattered to other nursing homes.

"Wherever they ended up, they asked the facility to get Pastor Newby," he said. "Eventually it became more than I could handle."

In 2007, he took the leap of faith to leave his pastorate to create a ministry to the elderly and others of any age who "fall through the cracks." He was granted the title of health-care chaplain through the U.S. Missions Department of the Assemblies of God headquarters in Springfield, Mo.

According to Newby, his appointment marked the first ministry of its kind in the United States. But he foresees monumental demand with the aging of America.

"I'm on the cutting edge," Newby said. "My desire is to minister and to train others."

He said he operates on a simple formula as he preaches 12 times a week at nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Newby provides a message of five to 10 minutes, a half hour of power singing and unlimited hands-on individual comfort.

He said the singing seems to touch everyone, including the residents of Alzheimer's units. Newby said even those who don't remember their own names began singing along with the old favorites.

"It's amazing," he said. "I start singing 'The Old Rugged Cross' and they sing it word for word."

Other memory-stirring pieces include "In the Garden," "How Great Thou Art" and "What A Friend We Have in Jesus." He has received remarkable feedback like the comments from a woman who said the singing helped her mother recover from a stroke as much as traditional therapy.

Newby said these people appreciate his visits so much that he feels terrible when he has to miss a regular service due to the demands of traveling to raise money for the ministry. He recalled a story he was told about an incident where one resident considered his absence an emergency.

"There was a lady who got so mad that she went and pulled the fire alarm," he said. "So many people can't wait for that day to come around."

At a Brendan House service last week, several ladies showed up freshly coiffed to sing carols such as "Joy to the World" and "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" and to listen to the Christmas story. He was joined at that service by Tom Miller.

Newby started as a solo act but now has help from Miller, 65, who sings and plays music with his electric keyboard. Miller said he got involved when he found time on his hands after retiring from a career in sheet metal.

He feel the same passion and devotion for the work as Newby.

"It's wonderful to see the response," Miller said. "People know someone cares about them when we come on a regular basis."

Newby said they get the same appreciation wherever they go. He recalled a recent fund-raising trip which took them to Hermiston, Ore. Along with traveling to churches looking for support, the two visited a nursing home to sing and preach.

"We did one hour and the people were saying they would like us to come back," he said. "In the Alzheimer's unit, they say 'Please don't leave.' They feel so lonely -Êthey feel like they've been abandoned."

He tries to motivate other people to find time in their schedules to visit the elderly or other isolated people. Newby shook his head, recalling conversations where people feared "getting stuck for an hour" visiting a relative in a facility.

"Anyone can take an hour a week to love somebody," he said.

On days off from services at facilities, Newby provides hands-on assistance to elderly people around the valley by taking them grocery shopping, shoveling snow, mowing the lawn or doing other jobs.

Miller said Newby helps two sisters, 94 and 96, retain their independence.

"The two of them live together," he said. "He takes them to the doctor and for haircuts."

Newby places no age requirements on the people he serves as he travels around town. He said he ministers to people anywhere he finds the need, including the post office and local grocery stores.

"I was in Super One and prayed with a lady who had just lost her job," he said.

He even belts out a hymn in a grocery store line if requested by someone needing a lift. Newby considers his loud voice a major asset, particularly in working with the elderly.

In counseling people who want to start similar ministries in other areas, Newby gives this advice.

"You don't have to be a great singer - people don't care," he said. "Just sing loud enough so everyone can hear you."

Although Newby sees tremendous need for his work, he said finding financial support has been extremely challenging since he went off his salary and signed papers to buy the home previously provided by the church.

He hasn't yet succeeded in getting assistance from the nursing homes and assisted-living facilities he visits. According to Newby, he must devote substantial time traveling to churches near and far to find the dollars he needs to keep giving aid and comfort to his elderly flock.

"My goal is to get into any church that will allow me to share the hearts of the people in these facilities," he said. "To me, they are a delight."

Newby throws in some unique entertainment at these presentations. With thimbles on his fingers, he plays a washboard -Êaugmented with stovepipe and a downspout - that his own minister father built 63 years ago.

He uses every trick in his pastoral bag to get his message out. If he can secure $100 a month from 20 churches, Newby said he could support his first-of-a-kind ministry to people in post offices, grocery stores, hospitals and, most critically, the forgotten elderly in health-care facilities.

"I walk in and three-quarters of them are in wheelchairs and I see darkness -Ê then they come alive," he said with a smile. "I've never seen such a transformation anywhere else."

People interested in more information may contact Newby at 892-5031 or 250-7455.

Reporter Candace Chase may be reached at 758-4436 or by e-mail at cchase@dailyinterlake.com