By REUBEN SHEARER
r.shearer06@gmail.com
A SMALL congregation is looking to live healthier in 2014.
Blue Hill Gospel Chapel, located just outside of the Garden Hills community, made a strong effort to educate its members about chronic diseases and managing stress at a health screening held on March 9.
Senior Pastor Ron Shearer preached a topical message on Sunday morning, encouraging members to check their blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels.
Pastor Shearer, who completed a health screening himself, said Christians need to pay attention to stress, and combat it by taking care of their spiritual and physical well-being.
Scripture says in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your body.” (NIV)
In a short interview, Pastor Shearer explained that the need to take care of the body is biblical.
“A believer, a child of God, belongs to God. Believers are a part of the body of Christ. We have a responsibility to take care of our bodies because our bodies belong to God, and the Spirit of God dwells within,” he said.
“When you think of temples, we are figuratively temples, and the Spirit of God dwells in us. Temples are sacred; you take care of them. We take care of our bodies because we are created in the image of God, and we serve God with our bodies. And if we are functioning well as human beings, that enables us to be more effective, we are able to be more productive for the cause of Christ in the world.”
Pastor Shearer said attendance for the health screening was good compared to the last time. Two qualified nurses and other women were present to check weight, waist measurements and the height of those who came.
Three representatives from a local health organisation were available with a product display and encouraged members to sample healthy drinks.
Geneva Sweeting, newest member of the church, said the ongoing effort to raise health awareness is very encouraging.
“My previous church has done something like this on a smaller scale,” she said.
Mrs Sweeting was one of the first in line at the health screening.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing. It’s really good because many people don’t go to the doctor regularly and it’s important to know where one stands, especially regarding their blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels,” she said.
Matthew Lightbourne, long-time church member, said that even though he was pleased with his results, he will try to eat better, stay away from stressful situations, and get sufficient rest.
According to Nurse Caroline Rolle, vice-president of the church’s Health Ministry, one improvement from the last health check was the fact that results for the seniors were much better.
They must be visiting their doctors, she said.
Pastor Shearer shared the view that while the health screening is available, members should be encouraged to visit their doctors when they can.
The church plans to have another health screening in June this year.
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