Health Ministries
Introduction
The scope and outreach of the department over this quinquennium was further augmented by new initiatives and seminars presented externally to Members of Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, NHS Trusts, Doctors, Nurses and Therapists at their places of work, Social Workers, Politicians, Mayors, Teachers and Pupils in their respective settings.
The departmental director engaged with several external agencies and organisations. These included:
Facilitating cancer projects development as Vice Chair of the Cancer Action Group.
Presenting at regular Faith and Health Network board meetings.
Health advisor for One Vision Charity on the impact of faith and culture on wellbeing
Health presenter at national and international conferences
Producing a range of resources for churches and communities, the director has developed health DVDs, manuals, booklets, leaflets, cards and health series for Christian Satellite TV channels and web video streams.
Departmental objectives:
To encourage and train the membership on fitness for life through healthy lifestyle choices in a wholistic approach to wellbeing
That through the promotion of optimal health practices; members will experience abundant living and so better able to share the message of health, hope and healing with others.
Reaching the whole person and meeting health needs.
The achieve this, the following interventions were employed:
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC TARGETS
REFLECTING CHRIST
Key Performance Indicator: Spiritual development and nurture
In responding to circumstance where individuals experience infirmity of body, mind or spirit, we seek to foster an approach that is compassionate as we serve others with the humility and love of Christ. This was achieved by undertaking the following:
Annual production of 52 Sabbath Reflections video devotionals for spiritual wellbeing
Development and dissemination of spiritual nurture materials for individuals experiencing health challenges
Signposting and referral to support agencies for individuals requiring emotional support and those experiencing traumatic life situations
Facilitated and supported Prayer Support networks for individuals with health needs
Dissemination of over 5000 grief recovery book: C.O.M.F.O.R.T - Solace, Support and Strength during times of Grief.
Delivered 35 presentations on the ‘Healing Power of Forgiveness’ course to aid emotional, spiritual healing and restoration, and further expanded the training materials to launch a Forgiveness Journey Experience course for the community.
Produced monthly Enhancing Health editorials in MESSENGER magazine
Submitted wellbeing articles to FOCUS Magazine
Regular Health presenter for Faith and Mental Health Network
Prayer support network developed for individuals experience ill health.
Outcome
Increased inclusion of health segments in evangelistic campaigns and church services.
Impact
Updates from churches and leaders reporting the impact of health segments in their programmes instigated interest in health and wellbeing course, which then led to bible studies and attending other church services more regularly.
RESOURCES
Key performance indicator - Publications that impact lives positively
The department augmented it’s production of wellbeing videos, podcasts, books, leaflets and supporting materials to supply the demands for additional resources from churches and Health Ministries leaders.
New and updated resources:
Publication of Health Ministries and ADC Health Resources brochure
Expansion of manuscript on the wholistic nature of wellbeing, identifying new and emerging approaches to health
Created and disseminated resources on emotional wellbeing for individuals experiencing traumatic life events.
Collaborative publications with Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC) on Health, Diet, and answering student health questions which are subsequently placed on ADC website.
Development and redesign of Emotional Resilience course materials and posters.
Updated and expanded Healing Power of Forgiveness Facilitators and Participants packs
Refugee wellbeing support resources
Resourcing churches and leaders
A complimentary box of departmental materials for new Health Ministries leaders as part of their orientation, provided resources to equip them in their role. Departmental health resources were also donated to churches for their libraries.
Departmental collaboration
Collaborated with Adventist Discovery Centre (ADC) on new publications advertising health books and health courses
The departmental director answered ADC student health questions and answers, some of which were published on ADC website
Increased dissemination of health courses from ADC alongside departmental resources
Outcome
Increased interest in departmental heath materials and requests for supporting church and community health events.
Impact
Testimonies received, highlighting the beneficial impact of health materials and courses on wellbeing outcomes, also improvements in health conditions and subsequent medical assessments.
PEOPLE FOCUSED
Key performance indicator – Valuing people and demonstrating care
Developed wellbeing initiatives for Stanborough Primary School on pupil wellbeing through the Wellness and Mental Health Champions
Wellbeing health focus incorporating 7 areas of wellbeing: spiritual, mental, physical, emotional, relational, social and environmental health for teachers and pupils.
Delivered workshops for individuals experiencing Long COVID and signposted for additional support.
Conducted Emotional Resilience seminars and created materials to support individuals during changing and challenging life season.
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Key performance indicator – Development and nurture of leaders and membership
Annual training for Health Ministries leaders
SEC Deaconry Training Sessions - Personal Health & Wellbeing seminar
Delivery of Mental Health presentations for boosting mental wellbeing as we emerge from the pandemic and supporting individuals who were negatively impacted.
Delivered training on Faith and Cultural impact on Mental Health for churches and community groups
Bereavement care and grief recovery seminars undertaken for facilitators and participants and augmentation BUC Bereavement Befriender training for leaders
Briefing on wholistic wellbeing in SDA publications
Continued specialist training delivered to leaders and churches from external health care professionals and NHS personnel to equip churches and leaders in delivery of health initiatives to its members and the wider community
Health Ministries Resources box provided to Health leaders for role development
Teaching leaders how to create Wellbeing Ministry Boxes for Health Recovery to give as wellbeing gifts to individuals recovering from illness
Provision of resources for Community Health Hubs and support for events
Donation to Food hubs across the BUC and provision of resources
Health Resources box supplied to churches for their Health Expo event
Training on SDA 12-Step programme for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery
Leaders trained on the development of core departmental Health Strategies such as: Mental Wellbeing, Nutrition, Older Adults Health, Children’s Health, Natural Remedies and Complimentary Medicine, Sexual Health, and Health Ministries Guidelines
Presented at EUD/TED Health Advisory in Portugal on departmental initiatives, resources and success of programme outcomes
Departmental health materials exhibited at training events
Launch of R.E.S.T.O.R.E course
Ministerial and Deaconry wellbeing seminars
The department director presented at the annual Ministers Induction Programmes, delivering presentations on Pastor’s Personal Health along with a pack of relevant resources (personalised for male and female pastors) and their spouses.
Deaconry training delivered, on maintaining personal wellbeing whilst serving and meeting church needs.
Outcome
Engaging with teams and churches on the above initiatives, produced increased requests for health programmes and wellbeing resources for Health Ministries Days and Health Expos for the community.
Impact
Attendees at departmental health events where screening and health counselling was undertaken, reported improved compliance with health interventions and better attention to self-care and maintaining wellbeing.
The department also noted increased referrals to NHS, Social Care and Voluntary Services agencies for specialist help in coordinating relevant interventions for church and community members in need.
Wellbeing partnerships
Developed partnership collaboration on Cancer Awareness for diverse culture and faith groups. These included:
Departmental director as key presenter Faith and Cultural impact of cancer care
Liaison with community leads on Cancer Care in the Community
Delivered workshops for Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation NHS Foundation Trust on Mental Health, Faith and Cultural perceptions and practice
Partnership working with Hertfordshire NHS Trust on Health Equalities initiatives in marginalised groups
Delivery of the 4 Pillars intervention to encourage uptake of Mental Health services in BAME (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic) communities and address hesitancy to engage with these services
SAFEGAURDING
Key performance indicator - Keeping people safe
Training on this aspect of wellbeing was undertaken jointly with Women’s Ministries department. See Women’s Ministries report segment on Safeguarding.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Key performance indicator – Demonstrable accountability and good stewardship
Expenditure - Maintained robust reporting of expenditure and management of finances within budgetary parameters
Departmental materials sold – The increased sales of departmental resources enabled funds to return to the department for further development of programme and course materials.
Summary
Cross departmental working, joint training, and twinning shared goals, yielded better outcomes for uptake of leaders attending training and implementation of learning for church and community events.
The delivery of training such as the Forgiveness Journey Experience, Resilience for Life, and the BUC Bereavement Care Ministry training for communities, groups and churches to aid grief recovery, yielded a marked interest in wider aspects of the Adventist faith and bible studies.
The director received the following awards:
Faith & Health (Palace of Westminster 2024)
Outstanding Leadership Award for Faith and Health (House of Parliament 2025)
Recommendations
Develop ‘Caring for Carers’ interventions to safeguard their wholistic wellbeing.
To finalise the Terminal care/end of life publication already in progress
In order to accurately measure efficacy of health initiatives, an assessment tool to capture qualitative and quantitative data will be necessary to investigate and pursue
Reinstate project to celebrate and report on the ‘Adventist Advantage’ and longevity interviews on the positive outcomes of our SDA Lifestyle in the UK
Adequate resourcing for full time administrative support
Acknowledgements
My appreciation to the following individuals whose committed service and support over the past 5 years, has helped to shape our department and achieve its mission:
Secretarial support:
Reny Iunac
Pilira Zapita
Shirley Harper
Jackie Ramharacksingh
Voluntary support:
Layken Venter
Abigail Davidson
Sheneka Davis
Team members:
Dr Beatrice Kastrati
Pastor Ratko Risteski
Edith Samambwa
Dr Claudette Comerasamy
Dr Chidi Ngwaba
Applauding God’s leading, provision and answered prayers over this quinquennium, and the healing it has brough to lives positively impacted by the departmental ministry.