Departments

Health Ministries

About the department

"To have perfect health, our hearts must be filled with love, hope, and joy in the Lord" (RH April 9, 1901, par. 11).

Comprehensive health ministry points people to God. The goal of the health message is not health – it is salvation. The scope of comprehensive health ministry is outlined in the precious words of the prophet Isaiah 61:1-4, “'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me, To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, And the day of vengeance of our God; To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.' And they shall rebuild the old ruins, They shall raise up the former desolations, And they shall repair the ruined cities, The desolations of many generations."

It is a ministry of Good News, comfort, freedom, hope, joy and restoration!

The NEC Health Ministries department aims to provide education, resources and activities which reflect a holistic approach to one's well-being. Holistic health and wholeness comprises physical, mental, and spiritual health. Based on biblical principles, health ministry emphasises the role of lifestyle in promoting health, happiness, and enhanced spirituality.

Health Ministries is a dynamic, vibrant and exciting work, with education programmes being advanced hand-in-hand with scientific advancements and evidence-based medicine. Ellen White wrote, "The health reform is an important part of the third angel's message; and as a people professing this reform, we should not retrograde, but make continual advancement" (Counsels on Health, pg. 49).

Health Ministries has a special duty of care towards people with health conditions or impairments. Empowerment and inclusivity are top priorities in this respect. The Bible prompts us to imitate God's love. Therefore, our programmes aim for accessibility to all.

Our department's objectives

Health Champions

"It is the divine plan that we shall work as the disciples worked. Physical healing is bound up with the gospel commission. In the work of the gospel, teaching and healing are never to be separated" (Ministry of Healing, pg. 140).

Health professionals and experienced health ministry practitioners are called to step forward and join our pool of Health Champions.

The Health Champions initiative will teach churches and church members how to implement health programmes and projects, run expos, work at expo stations and give health presentations.

Training in Physical Health

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Goals:

  • Educate individuals about healthy living with the available physical health programmes, which entails physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being.
  • Build trust in the scientific advancements of medicine, and develop knowledge about the prevention of disease, preventive medical check-ups, and vaccinations.

Training in Mental Health

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Goals:

  • Provide information about available resources and how to be an open and welcoming community for all people with mental health problems.
  • Educate churches and church members about available mental health programmes, how to run them, and how to actively care for each other.

Creation of Health Education Hubs

"'Go, stand in the temple courts,' he said, 'and tell the people all about this new life'" (Acts 5:20).

Goals:

  • Create at least one health hub in every area, in which the church cooperates with the local public health authorities and the NHS to engage the community with regular health education programmes.
  • Encourage health hubs to become self-sufficient, featuring many different health ministry projects on a permanent basis, such as community gardens, organic grocery stores, cafes, cooking classes, exercise classes, AA meetings, and self-help groups.

Director's role

As Health Ministries Director, my role is to empower churches to practice health evangelism.

The primary duties are preaching, teaching and praying – resulting in preaching appointments, special health Sabbaths, health expos, health programmes, and health presentations. I seek out colleagues, brothers and sisters who have a passion for health evangelism to present and work with me to proclaim the gospel message and the health message as the right arm of the Third Angel's Message.

Accessibility Questionnaire

The Accessibility Questionnaire is designed to assist leaders in making their church more receptive to those who live with a disability or those who have experienced a loss, such as the widowed and orphans. Each member and visitor should not only feel accepted but also have a sense of belonging. Attitudes and the physical building itself can help convey a message of inclusion. Feel free to add other questions that pertain to building inclusion for all.

Please take a few minutes and complete the following questionnaire:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdT10kdp2RDmHrqlCKhdmH4Rk2M9LQFf2GhuoDe03JGmr08Vg/viewform

Helpful links 

Dr Beatrice Kastrati

Dr Beatrice Kastrati

Director

Department: Health, Community Services and Possibilities Ministries

22 Zulla Road, NG3 5DB  Nottingham, United Kingdom.

Phone: +44 115 960 6312

More About Dr Beatrice Kastrati