The Our Journey of Hope® staff members possess an understanding of the gravity of cancer and the effects it has on cancer patients and their families. They're from different cultural, racial and religious backgrounds, but the one thing they have in common is a heartfelt desire and willingness to help support cancer patients and their families in their battle against cancer. They possess a genuine desire to help support by listening, encouraging, and offering prayers with the understanding that the real healer is God.
We consider ourselves one large family that is blessed and thankful for our diversity, and we believe that when one family member suffers, we all pull together. We freely embrace this great opportunity to walk alongside our family members. We look forward to listening, offering encouragement and prayers on behalf of those affected by cancer. We thank you for the opportunity to extend hope beyond the hospital doors and into every home affected by cancer.
Rev. Percy McCray, Jr.
Director of Pastoral Care -- Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center
Rev. Percy W. McCray has been the Director of Pastoral Care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) at Midwestern Regional Medical Center since 1997. As a fully ordained minister, he is a member of the United States Chaplain Association (USCA) and is an executive board member for Eternal Light Ministries in Chicago.
In addition, he is the founder and pastor of VALOR Faith Ministries in Waukegan, Illinois and is active in many outreach programs throughout the region. The goals for his outreach ministry take it into the social realm, aiming to develop a sense of responsibility and pride, especially among young people.
Rev. McCray attended Rhema Bible Training Center in Oklahoma and received additional pastoral training at The Inter-Denominational Coalition of Christian Churches in Detroit, Michigan and at The Executive Council of the Church of God, in Anderson, Indiana. He has been named "one of the most influential African Americans in Lake County" by the People's Voice newspaper.
Deborah Pointer
Spiritual Outreach Coordinator -- Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Midwestern Regional Medical Center
To her career with Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA), Debbie brings an in-depth knowledge of the medical field. She is a degreed medical assistant and certified phlebotomist and started with CTCA in 2002, working in two of the CTCA community physicians' offices. Since then, she has promoted the organization's unique approach to cancer treatment through the Cancer Resource Center and the Growth Department. It didn’t take her long, however, to discover that her real passion is clearly communicating the CTCA mission, vision and Mother Standard with others, which fits perfectly with her present position as Spiritual Outreach Coordinator in Zion, Illinois, for Our Journey of Hope, the CTCA spiritual support program. She is characterized by her love of the Lord, her genuine compassion for people, her joyful spirit and tireless exuberance.
Debbie has built relationships within the community as she has planned and organized such events as health expos, fundraisers and professional speaking engagements. Her most cherished experience was coordinating a fashion show, not only for the cancer survivors of CTCA, but for survivors of the local area as well. She has also served on several organizational boards, including the Health Advisory Board of Lake County, Women In Business Networking Group (WINGS), and the University of Illinois Extension of Lake County, for which she is still actively serving.
Debbie has two grown sons, Shawn and Jeremiah, and currently resides in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Rev. Michael A. Langham
Director of Pastoral Care - Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center
Rev. Michael A. Langham has been the Director of Pastoral Care for Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center since 1995. He believes that one of the strongest medicines is hope, and that it is as critical to spiritual, mental, and physical health as conventional medical treatments are to physical recovery. Rev. Langham states, "To fail to treat the whole of a patient's spirit, mind, and body, is to fail to wholly treat the patient."
Rev. Langham holds a degree in pastoral care from Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma and a standard teacher diploma from Evangelical Training Association, Wheaton, Illinois. He earned his clinical pastoral education credits through Integris Baptist Medical Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Rev. Langham is also a certified Grief and Bereavement Facilitator and a member in good standing of the United States Chaplains Association, the American Academy of Bereavement and the Grief Recovery Institute.
Active in ministry since 1984, Rev. Langham served as Associate Pastor at First Baptist Church, Elsmere, Kentucky, and as Associate Pastor and Minister of Christian Education at Living Image Christian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma before joining Cancer Treatment Centers of America. He currently serves as minister, and Membership Care Ministry Head at From The Heart Church Ministries of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Lyn Thompson
Spiritual Outreach Coordinator - Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Southwestern Regional Medical Center
Learning to overcome difficulties and walk with God through the unexplained are two of the lessons Lyn Thompson gleaned through the death of her first husband and a bout with cancer. She brings the wisdom extracted from those experiences and others, as well as the skills developed through more than 30 years in public relations, to her position as Spiritual Outreach Coordinator in Tulsa for the Our Journey of Hope, the CTCA spiritual support program.
Lyn began her walk with the Lord in high school. She and her husband of 14 years lived on a 16-acre farm and were parents to four daughters, aged 7-13, when he was killed in an automobile accident in 1984. Three years later, Lyn was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy and six months of chemotherapy. Through the trials and the years since, she and her girls "have seen a bigger and greater God than we would have ever seen if we hadn't gone through all we did. He is awesome, and His care and provision beyond expectation. He is the God of all hope."
After 18 years as a widow, she is now married to a man she dated in high school and is enjoying her roles as wife and grandmother.
A graduate of Arizona State University, she was named outstanding woman graduate in journalism in 1969. Throughout her professional career, she has won numerous state, regional and national awards for her work from organizations such as the International Association of Business Communicators and the National Association of Press Women. Additionally, she has four years teaching experience at Christian schools and enjoys leading women's retreats for churches. Ministry activities have included heading up a citywide prayer team and leading women's and lay ministry areas at her church.
Rev. Dr. Michael S. Barry
Director of Pastoral Care - Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Eastern Regional Medical Center
Dr. Michael Barry is the Director of Pastoral Care at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia and specializes in the connection between spirituality and health, particularly as it relates to cancer. He has written several books on the topic, and his most recent book, The Forgiveness Project: The Startling Discovery of How to Overcome Cancer, Find Health and Achieve Peace, (Kregel Publishing, Grand Rapids) details the spiritual and physical benefits of forgiveness, as well as teaches readers how to forgive based upon his years of experience in mentoring cancer patients.
Dr. Barry earned a Doctor of Ministry degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. He earned a Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Texas, Austin.
His philosophy of caregiving for cancer patients is based upon the Christian concept of joy and is the subject of his latest book, The Art of Caregiving.
Pastor Aking Beverly, MDiv, MBA
Spiritual Outreach Coordinator -- Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Eastern Regional Medical Center
A devoted Christian and disciple of Christ, Pastor Aking W. Beverly earned his bachelor's degree in graphic design from Cabrini College, Radnor, PA., his Masters of Divinity in religious studies from Harvest School of Ministry in Altadena, California and an MBA in management from Eastern University, St. Davids, PA. As founder of Defenders of the Faith Christian Ministries, Pastor Aking is dedicated to setting the world on fire for the gospel of Jesus Christ and equipping the saints with God’s truth.
He has been a part of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) family for over four years in many roles, most notably as a former Oncology Information Specialist, where he learned how cancer dramatically affects people, personally and interpersonally. He is dedicated to helping others restore the balance of faith and freedom in their life through ministry and service. He currently serves as Spiritual Outreach Coordinator in Philadelphia for Our Journey of Hope, the CTCA spiritual support program.