CHELSTON SDA CHURCH HEALTH MINISTRIES

The Health mission
Adventist Health Ministries’ mission is to demonstrate God’s love by promoting whole person health principles to Adventist church leaders, members and the community at large, assisting people from all ages, gender, and ethnicity in reaching their full potential for wholeness and a productive abundant life. Health Ministry is the gospel of Christ illustrated, the message of God practiced. Without it, the gospel witness is muted; it is merely a theory, an idea.

 We aim for each church member to become a center for health, healing, and wholeness in the community where people may increase their health awareness, learn to incorporate standards for healthful living, and find restoration in Christ for a hurting body, mind, or soul.
 
How we serve

• Serves as a resource for information and counsel on health and temperance affairs, and advises the church and its members, in the development and administration of health and/or temperance policies and programs
• Promotes a healthful lifestyle among church members through literature, programs, and Sabbath services
• Provides through publications, services, and programs, an ongoing witness to the world concerning the physical, mental, and soul-destroying effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances
• Sponsors and/or organizes societies to effectively involve church and non-church organizations in united endeavors to promote the non-use of tobacco, alcohol, and other harmful substances
• Encourages involvement in the evangelistic thrust of the church by developing resources that support renewal of mission hospitals and clinics
• Maintains liaison with Seventh-day Adventist® health professional organizations such as dentists, dietitians, nurses, optometrists, and physicians
• Promotes and/or sponsors health seminars and workshops, including an annual Health Summit in Orlando, FL, aimed at equipping health ministry leaders for service
• Develops and/or catalogs resource material for health education and programs
• Provides training for lay health leaders, church officers, faith community nurses and other health professionals, on how to conduct a vibrant and comprehensive health ministry at the local church level, while building partnerships with other ministries, health institutions and organizations with similar goals

Adventists believe the key to wellness lies in a life of balance and temperance. Nature creates a wealth of good things that lead to vibrant health. Pure water, fresh air and sunlight—when used appropriately—promote clean, healthy lives.

The church accepts its responsibility to make Christ known to the world and believes this includes a moral obligation to preserve human dignity by obtaining optimal levels of physical, mental, and spiritual health.

In addition to ministering to those who are ill, this responsibility extends to the prevention of disease through effective health education and leadership in promoting optimum health, free of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, and unclean foods. Where possible, members shall be encouraged to follow a primarily vegetarian diet.