Who We Are
In a world filled with conflicting and confusing information when it comes to personal health, the Pacific Union Conference’s Health Ministry aims to illuminate and encourage. Combining the Adventist church’s health message with the gospel, Health Ministry aims to bring hope and confidence to those searching for both spiritual and physical healing.
What We Do
Our purpose is to support churches within the Union in their efforts to bring impactful, effective health ministry to their communities. We do this through:
- Health resources
- Training
- Program plans
- Advice
- Speakers
We believe the most effective way to institute lifestyle changes and provide health education is through getting to know and trust presenters enough to ask questions. This not only provides the best results, it also helps establish relationships within the community.
Over the past several years, we have encouraged churches not to plan a single event, but to maintain health ministry throughout the year. This can be as simple as:
- A weekly or monthly potluck, encouraging people to bring simple, nutritious, plant-based dishes
- A mid-week exercise class
- A health club or walking club
Our Goals
We aim to:
- Have a health ministry team in every church within the Union, and
- Make pastors and teachers within the Union health influencers in their communities.
Health ministry is not just an event; it is one of the most important areas of relationship-building within our churches. Rather than harming with misinformation or making people feel guilty for not living up to a particular standard, our aim is to encourage and lead our communities to improvements in their physical and spiritual lives.
How to Connect
Contact us to learn more about bringing health ministry to your church and community.
818-209-1336
About the Director
For over a decade, Lorayne Barton, MD, MPH, has served the Pacific Union Conference as the director for Health Ministry. In addition to medical training as a pediatrician and neonatologist, she also has advanced medical training in public health, preventive medicine, and lifestyle medicine. Barton was part of a small group of physicians who started AMEN—Adventist Medical Evangelism Network. She has been involved with health ministry in churches throughout her career, and is currently serving on the board for Life & Health, a ministry based in the Pacific Union Conference which produced “Diabetes Undone” and other online resources and events.