What is GLHMC?

Health ministry emphasizes the wholeness of body, mind and spirit in congregations. Congregational health ministry usually includes a health minister who assists individuals and groups to meet their needs for health. They normally work with a health committee to assist in meeting congregational needs.

The church’s ministry is as old as Scripture, but the current emphasis on health ministry comes from the work of Dr. Granger Westberg who promoted the use of nurses as health ministers in churches. His vision of religion and medicine as being complimentary and the recognition that illness involves the whole person are key components. A church- based health ministry program indicates that churches are reclaiming their role in health and healing.

Health ministers are caring, spiritually mature people who reach out to comfort, console, strengthen, teach and encourage members of the congregation. Health ministers develop whole- person health programs, utilize community resources, and educate others on the interdependent health of body, mind and spirit. Health ministry emphasizes the relationship of body, mind and spiritual health and bears witness to the healing power of God.