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NORTHWEST NEWS
Northwest
Members
Focus on Health
Ministry Training Fred Hardinge, General Conference associate health
ministries director, presented several messages
throughout the health ministries training weekend.
Katia Reinert, North American Division health ministries
director, speaks to an attentive audience during the recent
health ministries symposium held in Gladstone, Ore.
By all accounts, the 2013
North Pacific Union
Conference (NPUC) Health
Ministry Training Symposium,
held April 12–14 in Gladstone,
Ore., was a success, exceeding
expectations of even its
organizers. Hoping for 100 individuals
to come from around
the Northwest, John Loor Jr.,
NPUC health ministries director,
was happily astounded to
watch nearly twice that number
stream into the event and
engage in the presentations offered
throughout the weekend.
The 175 who attended heard
a carefully balanced approach
to the Adventist health message
from main speakers Katia
Reinert, North American Division
health ministries director;
Fred Hardinge, General
Conference associate health
ministries director; Don Hall,
Wellsource and Lifelong Health
founder; and Lilly Tryon, certified
wellness coach. Among
other materials received during
registration, each person who
attended also was given a flash
drive containing every presentation.
The overall event was coordinated
by local conference health
directors and coordinators
Participants at the Health Ministries Training Symposium hold
up their certificates after successfully completing the sessions
held April 12–14 in Gladstone, Ore.
throughout the NPUC, including
Loor, Butch Palmero, Jay
Sloop, Cindy Williams, Nessy
Pittau and Cheri Corder. Members,
who came from nearly
every corner of the Northwest,
covered their own cost for registration,
transportation, lodging
and food.
“I was amazed and gratified
to see the commitment of
our members for the health
ministry of our local churches
in reaching out to our Northwest
communities,” says Loor.
“I believe a fire has now been
kindled for this enthusiasm to
grow brighter each year.”
Loor also referenced a quote
from Ellen White, who pointed
to the importance of thoughtful
balance in presenting principles
of health — and their relationship
to the entire Adventist mission
and message. In Counsels
on Health, White says, “If they
[members of the public] see that
we are intelligent in regard to
health they will be more ready
to believe that we are sound in
doctrine” (p. 452).
Loor hopes to continue the
growth of the health ministry
emphasis within the NPUC
with more advanced training
events on Christ-centered
help for addictions through
Adventist Recovery Ministries.
Videos of the presentations are
available at npuc.org.
June 2013 • GLEANER
31