Health Ministries Report

Mission and Ministry

We are all called to be health ministers like Jesus—who came to save, heal, and set the oppressed free (Matthew 1:21; Luke 4:18). He spent more time healing than preaching (Ministry of Healing, p. 19), showing that health ministry is not optional—it’s the gospel in action.

The mission of the Northeastern Conference Health Ministries Department is to share hope and wholeness through the healing power of Christ. Inspired by the compassionate ministry of Jesus, we promote healthy lifestyles that restore body, mind, and spirit. We believe God works supernaturally, naturally, and medically (Spiritual Gifts, p. 135), and our foundation is rooted in the Scriptures, the Spirit of Prophecy, and Sound Science.

Health Ministries has not merely functioned as a department—it has served as a movement, inspiring churches, equipping leaders, and transforming communities. We are not simply informing; we are igniting a revival of health and hope across the Northeastern Conference.

Major Accomplishment

To combat the nutrition crisis and reconnect members to creation, we hosted annual gardening workshops, encouraging members to grow their own food—especially in urban spaces. Hundreds join our annual gardening workshop, and over 150 gardeners participate in our active ongoing WhatsApp support group. We train our members and communities not only how to grow food, but also how to shop, cook, and eat healthy plant-based meals to stay strong for ministry.

Each year, I visited over 30 churches across our conference to share the Adventist health message. With support from Pastors Nigel Stoddart and Debbedo Brown, we ministered in over 40 churches annually, including through tent crusades. Together with health professionals and Gospel Medical Missionaries, we led seminars and taught the Eight Laws of Health as heaven’s prescription for combating the top eight chronic lifestyle diseases.

Our Health & Wellness Expos served as evangelistic gateways, with over 60% of churches participating annually—often in partnership with local hospitals and community leaders. In response to the pandemic, we launched our first Virtual Health Expo in 2022 under the leadership of Sister Marilyn Small, drawing more than 600 international attendees each year with dynamic speakers and family-focused booths including booths for children.

One of NEC’s most enduring legacies is the Gospel Medical Missionary Training program. In New York City, we trained 68 Level 1 missionaries in 2024, and in 2025, 101 Level 2 missionaries were certified in collaboration with Eden Lifestyle and Daley Health. In New England North, Brother Leslie Williams (DUO Ministries), working with NEC Health Ministries, led the training of over 650 Gospel Medical Missionaries, dramatically expanding our impact.

We addressed mental health through a reimagined Camp Meeting Health Tent, an annual Mental Health Summit, and the Made to Move campaign each September. Each January began with the 10-Day Daniel Health Challenge, resulting in hundreds of testimonies of physical and spiritual transformation. We also launched a Health Ministries resource website and trained leaders annually to support sustainable ministry.

Two signature events—our Spring Health Rally Revival and Fall Health Convocation—provided spiritual momentum and community connection. These gatherings featured powerful preaching, testimonies of healing, and Marketplace Ministries, empowering health entrepreneurs and missionaries alike.

Statistical Highlights

• 60%+ of churches conducted Health & Wellness Expos annually
• 600+ attendees annually at Virtual Health Expos
• 200+ participants in the annual Gardening Initiative, with 150+ in the ongoing gardening group
• 150+ attended the Healthy Grocery Shopping Workshop and Plant-Based Cooking School annually
• 40+ churches visited annually for on-site ministry and training
• 169 trained in New York City in Levels 1 & 2 Gospel Medical Missionary Training (2024–2025)
• 650 Gospel Medical Missionaries trained in New England North (2024–2025)

Challenges and Forward Focus

Challenges remain in maintaining consistent collaboration and reporting from regional and local leaders. To address this, we are streamlining tools, empowering coordinators, and encouraging leaders to embrace Health Ministries not merely as a program, but as a lifestyle of discipleship.

Looking ahead, we envision lifestyle centers and health clinics in every major city in NEC territory and a long-term goal of establishing an Adventist Hospital in our territory. We aim to strengthen our connection with AMEN, PATHWAYS, and AAFCN, ensuring free healthcare outreach in our communities and a AAFCN certified nurse in every church. With God’s help, we will secure grant funding to combat lifestyle diseases and expand health evangelism in every congregation. We are convicted that Health Ministries is “a great entering wedge” and “the right, helping hand of the gospel” that “will break down prejudice as nothing else can” (Evangelism, p. 513).

Closing Word of Gratitude

It has been my sacred honor to serve the Northeastern Conference alongside our pastors, elders, health professionals, gospel medical missionaries and committed local health leaders. I offer heartfelt thanks to the Northeastern Conference administration for their vision and support of Health Ministries. I also express deep appreciation to my assistant directors, Pastors Nigel Stoddart and Debbedo Brown, and our dedicated secretaries, Dilma Rosales (2021–2022) and Avery Dawson (2022–present), for their faithful support. Above all, we give glory to God, our Jehovah Rapha—the Lord who heals. As He declares in Exodus 15:26, “For I am the Lord who heals you.”

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