In Inter-America, Adventists take part in the “Let’s Move to Live” initiative

Church members in Bogota, Colombia pose for a pictures before taking part of Inter-America’s territory-wide health initiative  “Let’s Move to Live” held earlier this month.  The initiative seeks to motivate churches to develop an exercise program so they can incorporate healthy habits into their lifestyle. Image courtesy of South Colombia Union/IAD

October 23, 2014 | Miami, Florida, United States | Libna Stevens/IAD

Seventh-day Adventists across hundreds of churches in the Inter-American Division (IAD) put on their exercise clothes and took to the streets of their communities to promote a healthy lifestyle on Oct. 5, 2014.

Adventist leaders walk with hundreds of church members in a 5k walk in Ensenada, Sinaloa, in North Mexico, during the church’s “Let’s Move to Live” initiative, earlier this month. Image courtesy of Adventistas Baja California/IAD

The activity was part of a territory-wide initiative run by IAD’s Health Ministries Department called “Let’s Move to Live” where churches organize an exercise program for the membership, and invite the community to promote health, said Belkis Archbold, health ministries director for the church in Inter-
America.

The initiative was derived from the world church’s “In Step for Life” adaptation of United States First Lady Michelle Obama idea, who launched “Let’s Move” in 2010 to help solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation.

“The initiative’s main objective is to motivate our churches to develop an exercise program for the membership so they can incorporate healthy habits into their lifestyle,” said Archbold.

“Inactivity is invading our homes, churches and schools and that is increasing their risk of type II diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and many more non-communicable diseases, so there is a red alert for our members to get moving for their life,” added Archbold.

On Oct. 4, Archbold joined a special celebration in North Mexico where more than 1,300 church members and friends took part in a 5K walk in Ensenada, Sinaloa to promote exercise and invite onlookers to join the “Let’s Move to Live” initiative.

Belkis Archbold, health ministries director for the church in Inter-America says it is important that church members commit to exercising, living healthier and taking that to their communities.  Image by Libna Stevens/IAD File photo

In addition, church leaders in North Mexico were joined by community leaders as the church launched its “I Want to Live Healthy” plan in the 42 Adventist primary and secondary schools in North Mexico.

The plan promotes eight healthy habits such as drinking purified water, fostering a positive attitude, consuming fruits and vegetables, getting plenty of rest, no junk food, eating breakfast and less dinner, and being happy.

The eight-week program will be included in schools as part of the curriculum program beginning Oct. 6 during the current 2014-2015 school year and in the coming years.

In South Colombia, thousands of church members participated in the Let’s Move to Live walk in the city of Bogota, in Pereira, and other surrounding cities.

The church in West Venezuela, the islands of the Caribbean, and Central America also mobilized its members during organized walks through the streets of their cities promoting the exercise initiative.

“We are faced with a high incidence of obesity and diabetes in the countries in Inter-America and it is important that our church members commit to exercising, living healthier and taking that to their communities,” said Archbold, who travels several times every month to hold seminars and educate on health and its benefits in churches across the IAD territory.

Leaders in Sonora, North Mexico, get ready to cut the ribbon to launch church’s “I Want to Live Healthy” initiative in the region’s 42 primary and secondary schools for 2014-2015, Oct. 5, 2014. Image courtesy of North Mexican Union

More and more churches are getting involved in promoting health through different exercise and health activities, said Archbold. “Even though we have had the health message for so many years now as a church, we are striving to promote it more and more in our churches,” she added.

Although there has been a slow start to adopt a healthy lifestyle program among church members in some local churches, the emphasis is to promote the program in a positive way, added Archbold.

“People need to see the benefits in their own life,” said Archbold. “Many do not want to leave their comfort zone, to change their eating habits and the like. If our churches do not adopt this program, we will not be able to take it to the community successfully.”

For the most part, Archbold said that many churches hold monthly exercise activities for its members and the community at large yet coming together for one day can collectively strengthen the program and create a greater impact, she added.

“This kind of impact will allow our churches to be active centers of influence in the community,” Archbold said.

Next year more churches in Inter-America are expected to promote the “Let’s Move to Live” and the “I Want To Live Healthy” initiatives on October 4, 2015.

For more information on Inter-America’s Health Ministries programs, visit us at interamerica.org