Introduction

Health ministries are an integral part of the mission of the Adventist Church. The most important objective of health ministry is to help men and women reach their full potential mentally, spiritually and physically. The more active a church is in public health education, the more effective its public evangelism will be, since the message of health appeals to a broad spectrum of people.

Duties of the Health Ministries Leader

These are the responsibilities of the Health Ministries Leader:

1. Health promotion. This should be carried out at every opportunity; however, using a Spring and Fall series (currently life in Carnegie Hill) creates an opportunity to increase the level of awareness and practice of health principles in our community. Ministry is most effective when there is adequate personnel and financial resources. Request a budget from the church board early in their fiscal year. The leader should try to get the support of the pastor and church leaders for upcoming projects, and create an awareness of our health and temperance events using the newsletter, bulletin, or social media.

2. Continuing health education. There is a question asked in the New Testament, “How can they learn without a teacher?” This is especially true regarding the health education of new church members. The Health Ministries Leader could:

3. Get a subscription to Vibrant Life Magazine.

4. Invite those interested in health to sign up for upcoming health events as featured in our newsletter.

5. Loan or give them one of the Ellen G. White health classics, especially Ministry of Healing.

6. Ask them to assist with outreach programs.

7. Invite them to training seminars on health ministry; invite them to camp meeting or other special meetings on health.

8. Committees. The Health Ministries Leader serves as chairperson of the health ministries committee, which is a forum for planning particular activities and events.

9. Program development. The Health Ministries Leader coordinates the planning and organization of health screenings and health seminars for the public. Everywhere, Adventists are known as organizers of seminars on nutrition, heart disease, stress management, cancer prevention, diabetes, physical fitness, weight control and the biblical basis for healthful living. We provide access to stop-smoking plans and cooking schools, as well as screening projects for high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and other health problems. Constant attention is given to these programs in the press across the United States and Canada. Major corporations and civic leaders often request the help of Adventists in these areas. The Health Ministries Leader can consider recruiting and coordinating a team to make events like these happen.

10. Outreach. Reach out to community board and civic leaders to establish relationships in the neighborhood.