Michigan—Sharon Hilgendorf, South Flint (Mich.) Church personal ministries leader, has a passion for health! She shared that passion, using Simple Solutions Lifestyle Seminar, with senior residents at a facility in downtown Flint. She chose the senior building "because there are a lot of unhealthy people residing there. It seems they are dying too soon just because they have not been educated about a proper diet."

After Hilgendorf received approval from Brenda Harris, building manager, she enlisted the help of South Flint’s Pathfinder club, the Timberwolves, to distribute advertising to the entire facility. She then coordinated a number of church members with various expertise to make the presentations each night.

Donald Vixie, a physician, used a Michigan Conference health department digital presentation to illustrate stress the first evening. Wayland Lively, a church elder, dealt with fat in a person's diet. Hilgendorf and Brian Bodary, South Flint members, teamed up to present the effects of nutrition on stress. The final evening of the seminar was led by Teresa Broden of the First Flint Church. The presenters were assisted by Linda Bells, a sign language interpreter, to help the hearing impaired understand the health messages.

Each night, participants enjoyed samples of well-prepared, healthy food. The overall positive response was rewarding, and led to a request by the building manager to repeat the program at another facility she manages in Flint.

But the most exciting result was the request from three senior residents to join the weekly Bible studies Hilgendorf was already conducting with five other seniors in the building. This gave further evidence that the use of health evangelism can be an effective "right arm of the church" to lead individuals to Christ.

Todd Ervin, South Flint communication leader and head elder, and Bruce Babienco, Lake Union Herald volunteer correspondent