Mildridge S. Dyer
Health Ministries Director
mil_plus@hotmail.com
NATURAL HEALING - HANDS ON TOUCH
LIVING A HEALTHFUL LIFE
The Seventh-day Adventist Church recognizes the autonomy of each individual and his or her God-given power of choice. Rather than mandating standards of behavior, Adventists call upon one another to live as positive examples of God’s love and care.
Part of that example includes taking care of our health—we believe God calls us to care for our bodies, treating them with the respect a divine creation deserves. Gluttony and excess, even of something good, can be detrimental to our health.
Adventists believe the key to wellness lies in a life of balance and temperance. Nature creates a wealth of good things that lead to vibrant health. Pure water, fresh air and sunlight—when used appropriately—promote clean, healthy lives.
Exercise and avoidance of harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and mind-altering substances lead to clear minds and wise choices. A well-balanced vegetarian diet that avoids the consumption of meat coupled with intake of legumes, whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables, along with a source of vitamin B12, will promote vigorous health.
Such health is a gift from a loving God who wants us to live life in its abundance. When we benefit from such love, we feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation toward our creator.
Because of this, Adventists choose to praise God with joyful living.
HEALTH NEWS
NEW HEALTH MINISTRIES DIRECTOR FOR NORTH AMERICAN DIVISION
by Daniel Weber
On November 4, 2015, the North American Division Executive Committee elected Angeline David, DrPH, MHS, RDN to be the Health Ministries Director for the North American Division. She previously worked as the Wellness Center Director and Registered Dietician at the Guam Seventh-day Adventist Clinic, a position she has held since March 2014. She assumed her new responsibilities on April 1, 2016.
Former NAD Health Ministries Director Katia Reinert was elected to join the General Conference Health Ministries Department at the 2015 General Conference Session held in San Antonio.
Dr. David graduated with a Doctorate of Public Health from Loma Linda University in 2012, and a Masters in Health Science from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2003. She obtained her registration as a Registered Dietician Nutritionist in 2013.
Her role at the Guam Adventist Clinic saw her provide individual counseling on making healthy nutrition and lifestyle choices and conducted health education classes for the local community. She also made presentations to local businesses and community organizations teaching practical health tips and ways to battle the growing health epidemics of diabetes and cancer.
“The opportunity to engage our local churches and church members with a passion for embracing our health message, not only for ourselves, but as a tool to reach the local community, really excites me” said Dr. David. “On a professional level I’ve seen how patients can make very simple lifestyle changes and quickly see their health improved and they gain a real excitement for healthy living. They have a real sense of hope and often open their minds to spiritual healing as well. I have a passion for making health and nutrition information understandable and practical.”
During her spare time, Dr. David loves to cook, play piano and crochet.
She has two nephews who are the “apple of her eye."
Dr. David was reared in Maryland and graduated from the University of Maryland with a degree in Physiology and Neurobiology.
She was born in India and moved to the United States in 1982.
RESOURCES
NAD Health Ministry Resources:
- Mission Health Book 2015
- Adventist Recovery Ministries
- Articles
- Church Statements on Health Issues
- Directory of Counselors in NAD
- Discover 10 Ways to Choose Full Life
- Facts with Hope
- Choose Full Life Public Site
- Getting Started: Help For the New Health Ministries Leader
- Handouts
- Health Ministry Brochure
- Health Ministry Links
- Health Nuggets
- Health Sabbath
- Health Tips
- Health Unlimited Newsletter
- NAD Health Ministries Guidelines
- Position Statements
- Recipes
- Webinars
Official Church Sponsored Health Education Resources:
Health Promotion Resources:
Wholistic Health Promotion Resources
- Abuse and Family Violence
- Adventist Health Care Organizations
-
Ask the Doctors - Answers to Health Questions
(Sponsored by General Conference Health Ministries) - Benefits of Quitting Smoking Today
- EGW Health Classic Study Guides
- Lifestyle Centers Resources
- The Full Plate Diet - Download Flyer
- Family Health History (A Surgeon General Tool)
- My Vegetarian Plate
- Sustaining Grassroots Community-Based Programs: A Toolkit for Community- and Faith-Based Service Providers
Senior Care Resources
- Assisted Living Facilities
- Home Health Care Agencies
- Skilled Nursing Facilities
- Adult Day Care
- National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
Ministries of Health and Healing Appendices:
- Appendix A: What Seventh-day Adventists Believe about Healthful Living
- Appendix B: Ellen G. White Selected Quotations on Health Ministry
- Appendix C: Seventh-day Adventist Positions on Health Issues
- Appendix D: Adventist Health Speakers
- Appendix E: Books Advocating the Adventist Lifestyle
- Appendix F: Adventist Retirement Facilities and Nursing Homes
- Appendix G: Helplines and Hotlines for Health
OTHER LINKS
www.nadhealthministries.org
www.adventistsinstepforlife.org
www.adventistrecovery.org
www.FactswithHope.org
www.ChooseFullLife.org
www.nadhealthsummit.org
Adventist Health Ministries Group
Amazing Health Facts