Some have said that the Adventist Church through its history is like a stool supported by four legs: the local congregation, the educational program, the publishing work and medical ministry. In these next few paragraphs, let's take a look at medical or health ministry.
On June 6, 1863, two weeks after the organization of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Ellen White had a major vision regarding health. The substance of that vision over time came to be referred to as the "health message." In the Adventist classic, The Story of Our Health Message, D.E. Robinson wrote: "As though Heaven had been waiting for the arrival of this propitious time for a united advance in temperance and godliness, the Spirit of God now spoke to the church through the prophetic gift by which it had received counsel and guidance all along the way." This vision became the basis for the worldwide Adventist interest in healthy living and medical ministry. From cooking schools to cutting-edge cancer treatment, Adventists have been obsessed with caring for the whole person, including the body.
Adventist Midwest Health, our Lake Union region of Adventist Health System (AHS), operates five hospitals: Adventist Bolingbrook, Adventist GlenOaks, Adventist Hinsdale and Adventist La Grange Memorial in Illinois, and Chippewa Valley in Wisconsin. In addition, there are many ancillary facilities like doctors' offices, imaging centers, hospice and labs, etc.
When I drive down the highway and see a huge billboard proclaiming the ministry of Adventist Hinsdale Hospital or Adventist GlenOaks Hospital, or hear ads for Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital or Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital on the radio, my heart skips a beat. That is my church sponsoring those hospitals, which are touching hundreds of thousands of lives each year for Jesus.
Just a few weeks ago the Chicago Tribune ran a front page story in all its Sunday editions telling about the ministry of Dan Ocampo, a chaplain at Adventist Midwest Health. He is quoted saying: "Seventh-day Adventists believe that health ministry is the right-arm of the gospel." (You can read the entire story at http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-night-chaplain-26-bdapr26,0,7122957.story.)
I am proud the AHS mission statement talks about "Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ." Through all the AHS facilities, employees and volunteers are able to touch the lives of about four million patients each year. Every day, thousands of AHS employees also share a smile or a prayer or a word of comfort with patients, and thereby promote hope and healing.
What AHS makes possible in ministry is not restricted to the 37 hospitals that are being operated in 12 states, including the five hospitals here in the Lake Union. AHS also funds health ministry projects through the conferences in their territory. For instance, many have seen the Balance magazines which have been developed and published by the Michigan Conference. This series of 12 undated magazines on health and faith was developed by Vicki and Dane Griffin. What many people don't know is that AHS is a major partner in this project. Already, 300,000 of these magazines have been sold to be used in health ministry in various places across the country, including thousands which are made available to the public in AHS offices throughout its territory. When I talked to Jay Gallimore, Michigan Conference president, about this partnership, he said: "We are so grateful to be working with AHS on this project, and it's having a huge impact on people's lives." This is just one project where AHS has participated with conferences and unions in touching people for Jesus—caring for the whole person.
Health ministry takes many shapes. I am proud that the Seventh-day Adventist Church was a leader in the anti-smoking movement long before it was a popular position. I venture to say that most of the churches in the Lake Union have conducted Breathe Free stop smoking classes in their community at some time. I am proud that the official position of the Seventh-day Adventist Church is one of abstinence when it comes to alcohol. Through Listen magazine and its educational programs in public schools, American children are hearing the other side of the story about alcohol.
Many churches throughout the Lake Union have become involved with Hans Diehl's CHIP program. CHIP, the Cardio Health Improvement Project, has been embraced for its application of solid scientific research for healthy lifestyles. In Rockford, Illinois, thousands of people have completed the hospital-based CHIP program in that community. It has made such an impact that local restaurants have found it necessary to list in their menus which items are "CHIP approved." Dozens of churches in the Indiana Conference offer CHIP or Healthy Beginnings programs, capably led by Clinton Meharry, Indiana Conference health ministries director, and Susan Landess, Indiana Healthy Choices director (see www.lifestyle4health.org). The Anderson (Indiana) Church, especially, has embraced CHIP and works in cooperation with their local hospitals. Oh, by the way, the training programs and material costs for this health emphasis in Indiana are also supported by AHS through a program called F.A.C.E.S. (Following After Christ's Example in Service).
Historically, Adventism has faced significant challenges reaching the Korean community. Korean churches in the Lake Union have discovered that one of the best ways to get involved in their local Korean communities is through health programming. The Chicago Unity Church has, for many years, conducted a short-term resident NEWSTART program modeled after the Weimar Center of Health & Education program by the same name. The church members have made many friends for the church and seen numerous baptisms as a result. (NEWSTART is an acronym for eight specific health principles: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust in Divine Power).
To this point, we have seen a few of the good things that are happening in health ministry. Now let's talk about what we can improve. Recently, Adventists have been noticed again for our longevity. It comes at a time when we are nearing the conclusion of a landmark research project entitled Adventist Health Study-2. In the past couple of years, there was an extremely positive article about Adventist lifestyle in the National Geographic magazine. About that same time, there was a feature story on CNN about Adventist longevity and our health message.
On February 20, Deborah Kotz wrote an article in U.S. News and World Report entitled: "10 Health Habits That Will Help You Live to 100". Habit No. 8 was: Live like a Seventh-day Adventist. She went on to say, "Americans who define themselves as Seventh Day Adventists have an average life expectancy of 89, about a decade longer than the average American. One of the basic tenets of the religion is that it's important to cherish the body that's on loan from God, which means no smoking, alcohol abuse, or overindulging in sweets. Followers typically stick to a vegetarian diet based on fruits, vegetables, beans, and nuts, and get plenty of exercise. They're also very focused on family and community."
I am proud to see the church I am a part of portrayed so positively and I'm sure you are, too. But maybe, like me, you worry that your lifestyle doesn't quite match the hype. I am overweight and don't get enough sleep or exercise. Now don't misunderstand, I don't want to get stuck in the rut of legalism and judgmentalism in this area of healthy living. But I do want to be a faithful disciple of Jesus and be a better steward of my physical being. Personally, I am having a bit of a "health message" renewal. And I want others to know that He has a plan for their total health, too.
As a church, this is our time. The spotlight is on us and our wellness. We have a wonderful legacy of health ministry; we have been allowed to be stewards of a positive health message. Let's embrace it! And when someone comes and wants to know why we live longer, let's tell them about the principles of health but also let them know that there is One who has this to say: "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly" (John 10:10).
Kenneth Denslow is president of the Illinois Conference. He is also a member of the Adventist Midwest Health and Adventist Health System executive boards.
