A week-long health initiative at Koki Seventh-day Adventist Church is helping members and the wider community discover that caring for their health is an important part of Christian stewardship.
Held from May 24 to 31 under the theme "Being a Steward of the 7 Dimensions of Wellness," Adventist Health Week brought together volunteer health professionals, medical missionaries and church members to promote healthy living through health education, practical services and spiritual encouragement.
More than 4,300 attendances were recorded throughout the week as participants gathered for nightly health presentations, worship services, Sabbath School, Adventist Youth programs and a Community Health Expo held on the grounds of Koki Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Guest speaker Dr Robert Jones presented Bible-based messages highlighting the connection between faith and health, while local health professionals delivered presentations on diabetes, mental health, tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS, leprosy and women's health. The nightly sessions also explored the seven dimensions of wellness,physical, emotional, intellectual, social, vocational, environmental and spiritual, encouraging participants to adopt a balanced lifestyle that honours God.
"The health message is about more than preventing disease," said Dr Jones. "It is about restoring the whole person and leading people to experience the abundant life Christ offers."
The week reached its peak on Sabbath, with approximately 1,500 people attending the church's health-focused worship services. The Sabbath afternoon Adventist Youth program featured a panel discussion titled "Eden Reclaimed – Living the Wellness Blueprint," where church leaders shared practical ways to apply biblical health principles in everyday life.
The program concluded with a Community Health Expo that served 145 participants through free health screenings and lifestyle education. Volunteer health professionals provided blood pressure and blood sugar checks, body mass index assessments, exercise and nutrition education, hydrotherapy demonstrations, natural remedies information, stress management support and prayer ministry.
The expo was organised in partnership with the church's 10,000 Toes advocates and volunteer medical missionaries from the PNG Lay Institute of Global Health Training (LIGHT). Mrs Donalyn Posai coordinated the LIGHT team, whose members donated their professional skills and time to serve the community.
Pastor Kevin Mark said the program reflected Christ's method of ministry by meeting people's physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
"Health ministry allows us to build relationships with people while sharing the love and hope found in Jesus Christ," he said.
Health Ministries leaders said the week strengthened collaboration between church departments, health professionals and volunteers while increasing awareness of preventive healthcare and the Seventh-day Adventist health message. They also expressed hope that the initiative would inspire more young people to pursue careers in healthcare and medical missionary work.
The Health Ministries Department thanked Dr Robert Jones, Pastor Kevin Mark, volunteer presenters, musicians, church ministries, the Communications team, deaconesses and the LIGHT Medical Missionaries for their contribution to the success of the program.
By combining practical healthcare with gospel ministry, Adventist Health Week reaffirmed the church's commitment to Christ's healing ministry and demonstrated how serving the community can become a powerful avenue for sharing the hope of Jesus.
