What Is Health Evangelism?

Health evangelism is the good news that Jesus makes people healthier. Health evangelism is Christ-centered evangelism integrated with a health program. The health component of health evangelism contains information regarding the risks associated with unhealthy living and provides behavior change strategies designed to correct bad habits and addictions.

The evangelistic component of health evangelism introduces people to Jesus. Jesus provides the power to change. Lasting behavior change is impossible for many people who rely on their own efforts, but a relationship with Jesus transforms the life. This is true in the physical as well as the spiritual realm.

Health programs that fail to present Jesus are not really health evangelism programs. Many health programs are primarily secular in nature. They point a person to the adverse consequences of a risky behavior and advocate specific behavior changes to promote or recover health. The information is usually scientifically sound but fails to change many lives.

Most health programs are not designed to be overtly evangelistic. Secular health programs do not become health evangelism programs just because they are conducted by church members in a Seventh-day Adventist church.

Health evangelism is overt evangelistic activity inserted into a health program. Valid health evangelism introduces individuals to Jesus as the one who has the power to change lives. In health evangelism a person is introduced to the Bible as the primary source of knowledge about Jesus. In health evangelism a person is taught how to pray. By prayer a person can ask for help, a person can express gratitude for success, and a person can enjoy fellowship with Jesus.

Health evangelism programs provide an opportunity for a person to daily contact a Seventh-day Adventist helper for encouragement. Church members provide social and spiritual support. Church members can also share their own experiences with Jesus. They can pray with those who are struggling to change. They can form friendships.

Health evangelism programs conducted in Seventh-day Adventist churches provide an opportunity for the community to become familiar with the church facility. From the parking lot to the restrooms, people become familiar with the layout of the church. The public comes to feel at home in your church environment. This is also evangelistic.

This website compiles and summarizes resources on health evangelism that follow principles that optimize outcomes. These include programs that are Church based and sponsored, utilizing Church members to interface with the attendees via small groups. These optimal programs utilize scripture and encourage and track scripture reading,. They utilize prayer, teach prayer, and track prayers. They are scientifically sound and up to date, avoiding promotion of unproven/unregulated supplements or other unproven health practices. True health evangelism programs are altruistic, promoting unselfish service by church members and avoid any profit motive by being free or low cost covering expenses only. Evangelism doesn’t end with the program; follow up activities and contact with those attending is integral. Data collection to demonstrate the effectiveness of various health evangelism programs enables ongoing evaluation.

If it is true “that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work” (Counsels on Health 533), we should be exploring ways of maximizing the effectiveness of health evangelism now.

A quote which most clearly points out where health evangelism should be done and who should be doing it is found in Welfare Ministry 138: “We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work…. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths.”

The institution in which health evangelism is to occur is the local church. The home of health evangelism is not to be in hospitals, schools, public auditoriums, or lifestyle centers, but the local church. This quotation also indicates who is to do health evangelism. Every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. There is a role for pastors, doctors, dentists, nurses, therapists, counselors and others, but every church member needs to be involved.

Our neighbors will value our church more if we learn to do health evangelism in the right way. Let’s follow the counsel that has been given us. Let us design and conduct programs that will utilize church members, be conducted in the local church and be aggressively evangelistic.

As you explore the books, programs, resources and other information on this webpage, I pray God will impress your mind with the importance of health evangelism. I hope you will be inspired to implement health evangelism in your local church and that the third angel’s message will be completed in your community due to your efforts and the efforts of your fellow church members.

- Practices And Principles of Health Evangelism