Indiana—This month, the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) program will provide an exciting opportunity for Anderson (Ind.) Church volunteers to juncture with Community Hospital.

The CHIP program, to be held in the Community Hospital Education Center, will educate area residents about healthy living. Before the class, hospital administration will market the program in the newspaper and on radio, and physicians will be asked to encourage their patients to attend. In addition, hospital administrators have committed to provide a subsidy for employees who participate in the CHIP program.

This opportunity developed out of a conversation Susan Landess, Anderson Church member and local CHIP director, and I had about a year ago with the Indianapolis and Anderson Community Hospital medical director for physicians. After explaining the program to him, he recognized its value and the tremendous need for it. A conference call was arranged between Hans Diehl, CHIP founder, and the medical director for Swedish American Center for Complimentary Medicine.

I later suggested a CHIP program be conducted at the Community Hospital Education Center so hospital administrators could learn first-hand how the program operates and see its effectiveness in the lives of participants. Hospital administration supported the idea.

Beth Clymer, a physical therapist at Manor Care in Anderson, attended the CHIP program in the fall of 2004. She was very impressed with what she learned, especially when test results indicated her cholesterol level dropped 65 points in just four weeks. She is anxious for others to attend the CHIP program scheduled this month. The excitement she exuded while sharing her testimony about the program's value with Keith Trent, and others from the Community Hospital marketing department, inspired them to do whatever they could to get the word out.

Please pray God will provide opportunities for Anderson Church volunteers to help CHIP attendees not just physically but also spiritually.

Clinton Meharry, Anderson Church pastor and Indiana Conference health ministries coordinator