Inter-America: Health leaders focus on promoting a balanced health ministry

Health directors from across the church in Inter-America attend a presentation by Dr. Fred Hardinge, associate health ministries director for the Adventist world church during day two of Inter-America’s Health Summit, in Orlando, Florida, Mar. 21, 2013. Images by Libna Stevens

March 22, 2013 – Orlando, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD

Dr. Angel Manuel Rodriguez, theologian and retired Biblical Research Institute director of the Adventist world church.

Day two of Inter-America’s Health Summit brought Seventh-day Adventist leaders and health promoters to revisit the significance of the church’s 150-year-old health message, reverse modern killer diseases, engage in positive relationships and pursue meaningful health ministries in their church and communities.

“God gives us the capability to self-develop,” said Angel Manuel Rodriguez, Th.D, retired Biblical Research Institute director for the Adventist world church. “God says you have a potential of becoming whatever you choose to become by following the laws of nature set by God,” he stated as he quoted statements from Adventist Pioneer and health reformer Ellen G. White.

Dr. Hans Diehl, CHIP program founder and clinical professor of Preventative Medicine at Loma Linda University

Hans Diehl, DrHSc, MPH, FACN, CHIP program founder and clinical professor of Preventative Medicine at Loma Linda University, reminded health leaders that people everywhere are looking for health and the church has something to share by “striving to balance a simple whole food diet with daily exercise and sufficient rest to reverse diseases like obesity, coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and chronic problems affecting people around the world today,” Dr. Diehl said.

Dr. Peter Landless, associate health director of the Adventist world church.

Peter Landless, M.D., associate health ministries director for the Adventist world church, focused on the need for leaders to form positive relationships.

“We are hardwired to connect to each other, to build relationships,” said Landless. “Despite increases in technology and globalizations that would presumably foster social connections, people are becoming increasingly more socially isolated.

It is about investing in building strong connections in the churches, schools, and communities as Jesus did, said Landless.

Dr. Fred Hardinge, associate health director for the Adventist world church.

Fred Hardinge, Ph.D, associate health ministries director for the Adventist world church, emphasized the need to build long-term relationships in leading a balanced health ministry focused more on people.

“Love people more than a health message,” said Dr. Harding. “Recognize that health ministries is a process, not an event. It is a marathon and not a sprint and requires stamina and tenacity…to lead people to Jesus.”

Additional presentations and seminars included how to conduct soul-winning cooking schools, disarming diabetes, emotions and health, reducing risk behavior among youth, fear and stigma of HIV, alcoholism’s bigger picture, medical missionary evangelism, a children’s health expo, and more.

Inter-America’s Health Summit is schedule to conclude this weekend. For more information, visit health.interamerica.org