Page 28 - Bethel Annual 2019 Report

Love Makes the Difference!

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given
to you by God?...So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

PROFILES IN MINISTRY

The Commission on Health

First Row Left to Right: Dr. Elsie Crowell, Dr. Linda Walden (Vice Chair), Dr. Mary Smith (Acting Treasurer and
Chaplin), Abbie Wright, Marva Ford-Jones (Chair), Gwen McDaniel, Dominique Clark, Genevieve Jean, Dr. Cyn-
thia Seaborn-Jenkins. Second Row Left to Right: Dr. Emmanuel Inwang, Joy Inwang, Mamie Jones, Dr. Beverly
Barber, Curtisha Randolph, Lydia Southwell.
T
he promotion of healthy living as a principle ministry objective of Bethel AME Church, Tallahassee,
began during the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. (1978-1996), who,
in his Pastor’s Nine Year Report and Projections, published in 1987, proposed the establishment of a
Consultation on Health Ministry. The purpose was to “speak to the physical, mental, and spiritual well-
being of the membership, with special attention on health issues such as hypertension, sickle cell anemia,
diabetes, and other diseases that disproportionally effect African Americans.” The proposal also included
the creation of a health clinic, staffed by Bethel healthcare professionals, to provide the congregation with
basic health and first aid services. During the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. John Frank Green (1996-
2008), the services of the health clinic were increased, and a Bethel Health Ministry was established.

In 2010, under the pastorate of the Reverend Dr. Julius H. McAllister, Jr. (2008-present), the Health Min-
istry was renamed the Commission on Health (COH) to align with the Commission on Health of the
Connectional AME Church. In 2013, all of the Bethel health-related programs and activities were placed
under the oversight of the COH. Its mission is to facilitate health promotion at Bethel through education
and fostering of healthy behaviors, and to establish Bethel as a model for church and community partner-
ship advancing and addressing African American health issues through improved information,
knowledge and health behaviors.
M

ajor components of the Commission on Health include the following:

Health Information – Publication of a monthly newsletter containing health awareness information pro-
vided by Bethel’s healthcare professionals to congregants via the church bulletin and Constant Contact.

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