Page 29 - The Scepter - Summer_Fall 2016

Welcomes
400 Attendees to Celebrate Faith and Health

The Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference was better health outcomes in our communities” comments
held in Charlotte, NC from November 15-18, 2016. Dr. Pernessa Seele, CEO & Founder of The Balm In

Some of the foremost experts in faith, public health Gilead, Inc.
and science industries presented to nearly 400 attendees

representing over 22 states across the Nation at The Conference sponsor, Novo Nordisk surprised confer-
Balm In Gilead’s 3rd Annual Healthy Churches 2020 ence attendees with celebrity actor Ben Vereen, who

National Conference. gave a captivating speech on diabetes in the black com-
munity.

A record number of presiding prelates (Bishops) from
across diverse denominations attended the full confer- The conference featured exhibitors from different in-

ence and pledged their support to establish health min- dustries including health, fashion, food, fitness and
istries within local churches throughout their re- much more. New this year, on Thursday evening, a din-

gions. Led by Bishop Horace Smith, MD, Senior Pas- ner theater was hosted by the National Brain Health
tor of The Apostolic Faith in Chicago, Ill., The Pastor’s Center for African Americans. The national stage play,

Only 3-hour session brought together over 75 pastors “Forget Me Not” presented by Gdavis Productions and
to discuss the barriers, challenges and theological strate- USAgainst Alzheimer’s was the featured presentation.

gies to lead African Americans to better health. The last day of the conference culminated with a spec-
tacular concert from Charles Jenkins.

“Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference is an
event that every health and faith, community and ““If you missed this year’s conference, you did yourself

church leader needs to attend,” comments Bishop Ken- a disservice” comments Tonya Fogle, a 2016 attendee
neth Carter, Presiding Prelate of the Christian Method- from Lexington, Kentucky. “The conference reener-

ist Episcopal Church Denomination. “The conference gized me to return to my community with tangible re-
was a great opportunity to network and learn from ex- sources on how to become healthier and bring aware-

perts in the field that can equip our churches with the ness to diseases impacting all of us.”
right resources to make a difference in your own com-

munities.” 2016 conference sponsors included AARP, Novo
Nordisk, Gilead Sciences and Janssen. The 2017

The conference included 20 different sessions offering Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference will be
valuable insight, instruction, research and best practices held in Birmingham, Alabama, November 14-17, 2017.

in starting a health ministry, brain health, HIV/AIDS, Early bird registration will open January 2017. Visit
grant writing, evaluation, healthy cooking, financial www.healthychurches2020.org.

planning, among other health topics.

Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference, held an- National President, Lady Drema Lee Woldman, and
nually is the only organization to bridge science, public Honorary member, Lady Barbara Shaw, were Confer-
health and faith. “We are committed to the capacity ence Ambassadors. TLOD, Inc. was also an Exhibi-
development of our congregations in areas of preven- tor.
tion, disease management and health equity to ensure