LIVING A HEALTHFUL LIFE
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes the autonomy of each individual and his or her God-given power of choice. Rather than mandating standards of behavior, Adventists call upon one another to live as positive examples of God’s love and care.
The world is becoming more and more diseased and economies are being impacted globally as a result. As a faith based oragnisation with a unique health message we can assist in reducing noncommunicable diseases amongst others.
According to WHO:
- Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 40 million people each year, equivalent to 70% of all deaths globally.
- Each year, 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; over 80% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.7 million people annually, followed by cancers (8.8 million), respiratory diseases (3.9million), and diabetes (1.6 million).
- These 4 groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
- Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from a NCD.
- Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs
Our churches are to become centres of hope and healing where health issues can be addressed and education provided on how prevent NCDs and other diseases prevalent in our communities.
“Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement of the cause of God. Every city is to be entered by workers trained to do medical missionary work. As the right hand of the third angel’s message, God’s methods of treating disease will open doors for the entrance of present truth.”—7 Testimonies, 59.
Mission Statement
The Northern Conference Health Dept exists to create awareness of holistic health principles among churches so that they may better serve their communities’ needs. This will largely be accomplished through enriching training seminars, relevant resources and timely communications. All these efforts are aimed at facilitating evangelism, and preparing healthy, balanced and wholesome disciples for God’s kingdom.
Vision
That churches should become places where communities can turn to for advice on health, support and care.
That churches are well resourced and trained on health matters so that they can regularly run effective health expos, teach health principles, do relevant lifestyle talks, educate through cooking classes, prevent addictions, create HIV awareness and support groups, etc.
To see people accepting Christ, as a result of clearer minds, healthier bodies and enriched lives.
What do we offer our churches as the NC Health Department:
- Stop Smoking Training
- F5 Challenge monthly
- Understanding Depression
- Understanding HIV / AIDS
- Starting Support Groups
- Understanding Addictions
- Plant Based Cooking Classes
- Basic Medical Missionary Training
- Health Expo Training
- Health Resources
NC Health Website: www.nchealth.co.za
“Churches are to be organized, and in no case are these churches to divorce themselves from the medical missionary work. Neither is the medical missionary work to be divorced from the gospel ministry. When this is done, both are one-sided. Neither is a complete whole.” 1SM 112
