Livingston Fellowship Participates at County Fair
The Livingston, Tenn., Fellowship decided to conduct free diabetes and blood pressure screenings in the community to gather interest for future health programs. With only a few weeks to plan; getting health literature/books ordered; and readying a canopy/backdrop, staff, and medical supplies, church members were able to set up a booth in a prime location at the Overton County Fair in the early evening of July 22 to July 27, 2024.
With availability of a booth, an anonymous donation for screening supplies, and a donation of testing equipment by the Occupational Health Center in Cooke-ville, Tenn., God was leading to make this event happen. This was not just a health ministry event, said Deborah Ward, health ministry leader, it was also a spiritual ministry, as volunteers provided hope in conversation and literature, interacting with the community, even those running for public office. Church members were able to identify individuals who were interested in plant-based cooking, diabetes reversal, and anxiety and depression programs.
Those who had a glucose screening over 140 were offered the A1C test, also called glycated hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1C, which reflects the average blood sugar level in percentage over the past two to three months. According to the American Diabetes Association, this test can help identify prediabetes, as well as monitor how well the treatment plan is working to manage diabetes. At this event, 75 blood pressure screenings, 45 glucose screenings, and 30 A1C screenings were performed. Also provided were stickers for the children, many health literature glow tracts, health magazines, The Great Controversy, Steps to Christ, America in Bible Prophecy, and Earth’s Final Warning publications.
This community endeavor to reach those who may be at risk of diabetes and high blood pressure was the church’s first experience at the Overton County Fair in Livingston, Tenn. With the success of this event and interaction with many local residents, the members not only plan to return next year, but are also planning several follow-up programs through the remainder of the year.
Georgia-Cumberland | October 2024
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