God calls each of us to follow the example of Jesus Christ as loving and compassionate individuals. This means caring for ourselves and others in mind, body and spirit as He did on Earth. As Jesus empowered those He healed with confidence in His power, so we are called to empower the communities with which we come into contact.
1 Thess. 5:11 tells us to “encourage one another and build each other up,” advice that Adventist Health has taken to heart. Through programs such as LivingWell, Adventist Health is empowering its employees to take charge of their own health and live healthier lives. Through our approach to population health, caregivers work to empower at-risk patients by providing the knowledge, tools and support they need to attain their best health. Other training, such as clinical pastoral education, empowers pastors, chaplains and caregivers, supplying instruction and real-life practice in aiding grief-stricken patients and their families. Together, these programs and many more exemplify the Adventist Health mission “to share God's love by providing physical, mental and spiritual healing.”
Jesus used healing as an introduction to His ministry as He traveled from place to place. He met people where they were and provided healing of the mind, body and spirit. Today hospitals and clinics play an important part in spreading the gospel commission of the church, showing Christ’s love to communities that might not otherwise be reached by the Adventist message. Health ministries provide a gateway — often an introduction — to our faith in a way that no other ministry does. Adventist Health believes that, by embracing the mission and shared values, we will find new ways to bear witness to our Creator’s love and new avenues for reenergizing the prophetic message of the Advent movement.
Max Torkelsen II, North Pacific Union Conference president.
