Health Ministries

At Adventist Health we believe that health is about choices. The choices that you make can help you to enjoy the “abundant” life that we have been promised. We are here to empower you to lead a healthier lifestyle, establish good habits in order to reap the lasting benefits!

Health Secretary

Have you been asked to serve your local church as the health secretary? Or perhaps you serve on a church nominating committee and are wondering what a health secretary is expected to do.  This guide will  help you understand the role of Health Secretary within your local church.

The Role of the Health Secretary

The local church health secretary is the coordinator of health education and promotion within and beyond the congregation. Duties may include:

  • health awareness and education
  • promoting health emphasis week and the health offering
  • promote health related journals, magazines, DVDs, correspondence courses and other resources
  • teaching church members techniques and methods for healthy food preparation
  • assisting new members with nutritional information and inviting them home for meals
  • coordinating community events for the public (topics include disease prevention, physical fitness and weight control, stress management, the benefits of vegetarian food and nutrition, cooking demonstrations etc.)
  • identifying opportunities in schools and community clubs to promote health
  • find opportunities to communicate the health message through the media (newspaper articles and letters)
  • conducting surveys and signing petitions regarding alcohol/ tobacco and other drug issues

Responsible to

The pastor and a health committee. (The health committee may include the pastor, an elder, the personal ministries leader, the communication secretary and health professionals in the congregation.)

Time Commitment

This requires at least five hours a week when preparing for or conducting a community program. 

At other times throughout the year it may require less time.

Term of Office:

One year. This role is usually more effective if the same person can commit for a number of consecutive years.

Skills and Spiritual Gifts

God has gifted each of us in different ways. The following gifts are valuable when considering the choice of a member for the role of health secretary.

Leadership: Enables the health secretary to chair committees, coordinate activities and manage programs.

Understanding: Become conversant with the health message and principals of healthy living.

Mercy: A high level of compassion to minister to the physical, mental and spiritual needs of those in the congregation and the community.

Helper: To consistently give or organise assistance for those in need or “hard to reach”.

Faith: Confidence in God’s promises and His ability to move plans ahead even when direction is not clear.

Resources and training

Training and resources are available to assist the health secretary in the local church. These include:

  • Vegetarian Cooking Instructors course
  • Vegetarian Cooking Demonstrators course
  • Health program resources

Contact your local conference health director or Adventist Media for specialised community programs to promote health.

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” (Ellen G White, The Ministry of Healing, page 143.)

Community

When the church meets the health needs of the community, it will become known as a caring church with a practical gospel.

Health and temperance are an integral part of the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” (1 Cor. 10:31) Health ministry is the gospel of Christ demonstrated in day to day life, it is no longer theory but a way to live.

The focus of health ministry is to help men and women reach their full potential mentally, spiritually and physically. To reach full potential we need to care for our bodies in the way God intended.

Meet the Health Ministries Team

Are you a new leader in your church or looking for help with your ministry? Please contact us as we would love to help you.

Adrielle Carrasco

Adrielle Carrasco

Director of Adventist Health Ministries & Union Liaison for Women’s Ministries

New Zealand Pacific Union Conference

Geoff Beissner

Geoff Beissner

Ministry Assistant

New Zealand Pacific Union Conference

Health Programs

If you are interested in running a program in your church, please get in contact with the Health Ministries team today.

Live More Project

Its fun, simple, and uses scientifically proven strategies to give your happiness a boost.

CHIP

Discover a proven approach to reversing today’s leading causes of death and disability.

De-stress and Thrive

Learn proven methods to manage your stress and experience greater happiness!

Forgive To Live

Understanding and practising forgiveness can literally save your life.

Retirement Ready

Planning for this stage of life gives the best possibilities for living well in retirement.

ELIA Kitchen

Learn to cook delicious plant-based recipes for your best health and those you cook for.

Depression and Anxiety Recovery

This programme provides mental health education in a comprehensive way that deals with the core issues that cause and are associated with depression and anxiety.

DARP is run in partnership with Adventist Health Ministries throughout different Adventist churches in New Zealand.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)

Ko Awatea has produced a New Zealand version of the Australian MHFA programme. Up-dated by a dedicated Mental Health Education team at Counties Manukau District Health Board, the Mental Health First Aid certificate will ensure you have the correct tools you will need to help those in your community that are living with mental health illness or issues. www.mentalhealthfirstaid.nz

Health Resources to Download

pdf

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality

Most often, we overlook the role of emotions in a Healthy Adventist Church. Until unhealthy emotion breaks loose in a business meeting or in our homes.Peter Scazzero helps us understand the close connection between emotional health and spiritual health.
Size: 62.26 KB
pdf

Health Secretary

Have you been asked to serve your local church as the health secretary? Or perhaps you serve on a church nominating committee and are wondering what a health secretary is expected to do. This guide will help you understand the role of Health Secretary within your local church.
Size: 414.90 KB
pdf

2024 NNZC Calendar Planner

UPDATED 6 March 2024. Year Planner. North New Zealand Conference Calendar of meetings and Events.
Size: 581.33 KB
pdf

2024 NNZC Calendar A4

UPDATED 6 March 2024. A4. North New Zealand Conference Calendar of meetings and Events.
Size: 160.49 KB

Health Resources

South Pacific Division

Adventist Health Ministries Website

General Conference

Adventist Health Ministries Website

Advent Source

If you’re a new health ministries leader, this page is a great place to get started

CREATION Life

CREATION Life is a faith-based wellness plan for those who want to live healthier and happier lives and share this unique, whole-person health philosophy

Revive

Auckland cafe, recipes, cookbooks, watch Cook:30

Emotionally Healthy

Peter Scazzero has produced many resources that help pastors guide their churches to being emotionally healthy in their spirituality.