Submitted by Joseph Redley
Yes, we can!” is the theme shared amongst the CREATION Health Ministry leaders at Fayette Church in Fayetteville, Ga. They have witnessed healing from diabetes, improved blood pressure, weight loss, baptisms, and more.
It started in February 2017. Several members had experienced other health awareness programs, but were impressed with the comprehensive scope and the Bible’s creation week foundation of the CREATION Health program. With a main coordinator, an activity coordinator, five table leaders, and 26 eager students, they launched their fist CREATION Health seminar.
The program was received with great enthusiasm as participants enrolled. For eight weeks they engaged in open discussions and active participation, expanding on each letter of the CREATION Health acronym — Choice, Rest, Environment, Activity, Trust, Interpersonal relationships, Outlook, and Nutrition.
Participants held each other accountable, and many confessed that it was this accountability component of the program that helped them reach their goals.
Church members, as well as guests from the surrounding communities, spoke highly of the program and shared stories of how the program impacted their health and quality of life. They spoke of weight loss, normalized blood pressure, lowered cholesterol level, doctors discontinuing insulin prescriptions, and doctors even requesting information on the program.
On the first evening, participants underwent biometric screening. Individuals were anxious to have their blood tests done to determine their baseline. Weight and height were measured, and BMI (Body Mass Index) was calculated. These tests were then repeated at the program’s conclusion. Several participants were elated to see positive changes in their blood pressure; some saw weight loss; and others had improvement in their blood pressure, glucose, and cholesterol readings.
One key component of their CREATION Health seminars was the cooking demonstrations. Although nutrition is the last of the acronyms, it was a focus throughout the entire eight weeks. They taught proper nutrition and how to prepare nutritious, attractive, and tasty plant-based meals. Meal preparation was demonstrated at each session, with attendees participating during four occasions. On the final day of class each participant was invited to make and bring a dish of their choosing for the entire class to sample.
Following the eight-week CREATION Health series, members decided to add a four-month follow-up. They met twice per month, and added Bible study to health and wellness using the Bible and health lesson series from the Ministry Mission Education Evangelistic Training (MEET). They praise God for three baptisms and several individuals in Bible studies as a direct result of their outreach utilizing the “right arm of the Gospel.”
CREATION Health is just scratching the surface with what church members who take advantage of Total Membership Involvement (TMI). They invite all to join them and say, “Yes, we can!”
Georgia-Cumberland | March 2020
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