The Church believes its responsibility to make Christ known to the world includes a moral obligation to preserve human dignity by promoting optimal levels of physical, mental, and spiritual health.
In addition to ministering to those who are ill, this responsibility extends to the prevention of disease through effective health education and leadership in promoting optimum health, free of tobacco, alcohol, other drugs, and unclean foods. Where possible, members shall be encouraged to follow a primarily vegetarian diet.
The Health Ministries Leader and Associate Leader are elected by the Church for planning and implementing efficient programs to both members and community in the field of healthful living and to assist in cooperative soul- saving activities through a viable program of health and temperance and spiritual emphasis. These are health-oriented individuals who are interested in promoting the Church’s standards in healthful living among members and in the community through church-operated health ministries programs.
In collaboration with the personal ministries department, the health and temperance departments lead out in developing a schedule of health ministries activities that include such programs as stop-smoking plans, cooking schools, health classes, stress-control programs, and related endeavors. The pastor is an ex officio member of this department.
Health Ministries Elder: Elder Caldon Barnes
Health Ministries Leader: Sis Audrey Lewin
Health Ministries Associate Leader: Sis Jean Bender