Indiana—As the need has been expressed to change the health of Indiana residents, we have asked God for wisdom to know how to proceed, and for His grace to providentially open up doors of opportunity. Clearly there is a need, as a conference, to provide something tangible and substantial to churches, corporations, and state agencies here in Ind. The Lord is opening the door to health ministry in amazing ways in Ind.

Under the Indiana Conference health ministries department, Indiana Healthy Choices Initiative (IHCI) was established to help carry out this important ministry.

Adventist Health Systems (AHS) was contacted about the possibility of a grant to help see this ministry go forward. Ted Hamilton, M.D., AHS vice president for medical mission, made a special trip to Ind. to talk with us about the potential of them juncturing with us on health initiatives. As a result, AHS has provided a generous grant for the next three years to make leadership for this project possible.

On Feb. 21, the Conference Executive Committee asked Susan Landess to direct IHCI. She has served effectively as the Anderson CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Project) chapter director and has a passion to see health ministry expand throughout the state. In addition, in cooperation with the Adventist CHIP Association and Hans Diehl’s Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Susan and her husband Jesse were asked to train and support health teams in Ind.

We invite you to pray that IHCI can bring glory to God and help people experience the benefits of living in harmony with the natural laws of health.

Is your church interested in conducting a CHIP program? Would you like to learn more about healthy living? Are you interested in reaching out to your community through health education? Susan Landess is available for Sabbath speaking appointments, weekend health seminars, and training for individuals to conduct the CHIP program. She can also provide information and resources for a variety of health ministry programs.

You can reach Susan by phone at: (765) 759-9937; or e-mail: susan_landess@yahoo.com.

Clinton Meharry, Indiana Conference health ministries director