Presented by: Director Elton Amos, MD (Pastor@OldLandmark.com)
The Church Of God In Christ (COGIC) has continued a legacy of rapid growth along with a sincere trust and dependence by its adherents for spiritual leadership and guidance to the abundant life. This confidence places a mandate on COGIC leadership to design and institute new ministries that will answer the hunger for health and wellness. While we have had ministries and missions in the name of our Church for decades, these have not been structured in a way to collectively benefit from the philanthropic largess of the world. Wherever COGIC health and wellness ministries operate, structured oversight of medical services will only enhance and edify them.
The organizing of the churches’ qualified health professionals who daily provide specialized services to the public at large affords COGIC an undeniable pathway and resource to improved health and wellness.
This White Paper is designed to answer a vacancy of service to the COGIC faithful.
Problem Statement
Most mainline Christian churches have responded to the needs of their memberships by the development of Health Ministries. These vary from large grant-supported institutions like Catholic and Lutheran Social Services, to the lesser known bands and agencies within denominations.
COGIC as a holiness body encourages the abstinence from substances and practices long known to be harmful to the body; nonetheless, we find medical consequences of these social offenses present in our church:
- Although COGIC has been cognizant of the disease specificities that befall its predominately African American membership and those of our members in countries beyond America, no organized ministry or department has been developed for the purpose of health care education, advisories, promotion, and intervention.
- African Americans die disparately from Vascular and Heart diseases (including Stroke)
- African Americans die disparately from Cancer
- African Americans die disparately from Respiratory Diseases
- African Americans die disparately from HIV, and other immune related disorders. AIDS has affected non-white people of the world who suffer and die disparately.
- African Americans die disparately from Diabetes and its complications,
- African Americans suffer and die disparately from Obesity related diseases
It is not too late to design and implement the leading prototype of a Health Ministry with trendsetting modalities that will raise the bar of responsibility among all denominations.
Statistics
The most current census bureau report shows a US population of 304 Million. African Americans total 34.6 Million (11.4%) of the total population. A recent survey performed by Hartford Seminary shows COGIC at 5.5 Million in membership totalling 1.8% of the US population, and 16% of the African American population.
Not all COGIC members are African American, however, this is for illustrative purposes. Given this estimate of COGIC size, the statistics empower the church to affect the long-term health and wellness of 16 out of every one hundred African Americans.
Praxis Solution
The solution lies in COGIC taking a serious approach to the medical and general health of its constituents. This can be realized by the creation of a department responsible for the health and wellness of our people.
Under this organizational paradigm may lie the divisions of medical and human services most likely to positively affect COGIC members. These may also be supported by private healthcare agencies and companies like pharmaceuticals, foundations and such like. Services provided to members would include:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Vitamins and Wellness Products
- Health Advisories
- Durable Medical Equipment
- Medical Marketing Strategies
- Medical Discounts
Benefit 1
The Church Benefits: The Global value of our church spirals upwardly, as this current Administration and the Church Of God In Christ would emerge as the nation’s 21st Century Leader in Health Ministry Services.
Benefit 2
The Professionals Benefit: The organizing of Health Professionals will give not only internal accolade, but the medical community will readily see the value of this unified entity. Physicians are for the most part, financially independent and capable of travel. Participation will likely be very high. The value to doctors to network and associate with other COGIC professionals is immeasurable.
Benefit 3
The Membership Benefits: A medical division will be an added value to COGIC conferences… where else could members speak to specialists who understand them more than anyone else, and receive up-to-date information?
Implementation
This program will begin with the calling together of the medical professionals already working in various ministries throughout the country. These will become the nucleus of a working committee to bring forth a nationwide and international Health and Wellness Ministry. Specialists from all areas of the medical arena will be utilized to produce advisories, publishable on the internet, designed especially for our people. A regularly updated Health Care Report will inform the church-world of such things as how to prepare for pandemic Influenza, prevention advisories, geriatric self care… and the potential subjects go on and on.
Summary
Bishop Blake has a concern for the citizenry of our church. The Health Department initiative is a part of our social justice response to the conditions of our world, and will use the best of our human resources to take a leading role in ministry proffered healthcare.
Welling to work with Health issues and to apply what is needed. Please contact me regarding plans.
Missy Vanessa Hurdle RN
Jurisdictional Nurses Unit President
VA # 1
Bishop Ted Thomas Sr prelate
I think this is an excellent article written on an issue that many of the people of God need to pay serious attention to,because you cant be as productive for the Lord without having the proper health to perform the assignment for which we were created to do.I commend one of our church’s brilliant minds for a well written piece.
Being a Physical Education Teacher in the city of Dallas, Texas. I would like to share the Health and Wellness information to the C.O.G.I.C Churches in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. As a participant in eating healthy myself, this November I will celebrate being 100 pounds lighter due to changing my eating habits, and consistent exercise. So any information at this point would be very helpful to share.
The implementation of a Health & Wellness intiative in the Church of God in Christ, Inc., I believe would be the impetus for growth and member well-being. The Church of God in Christ, Inc., has a long history of ministering to the total needs of individuals and families; however the effectiveness of this ministry would be greater seen with a definitive organized entity dedicated to Health & Wellness. I believe as Dr. Leonard Lovett stated at a district conference, “The Church of God in Christ should be second to none…” and this initiative would provide a benchmark for other organizations to notice and pursue as we continue to be a flagship for total ministry.
This Article that tell us the people are awareness about there Health and wellness.
keep it up Elton Amos.
Where do I get more information about this initiative to institute it in my local church? How do you get the people to buy into the need for better health? I have done several health related seminars at my church without a good response from the members. It seems that no one is really interested in good health because it involves change, and change is hard for some. Any information that you can provide would be great.
Thank you all for your comments and well wishes. There will be an organizational meeting for COGIC Global Health and Wellness at 4PM on Friday, November 6, 2009 at Mason Temple, Room LL-11. All Physicians, Nurses, Dentists, Allied Health and Wellness Specialists are asked to meet me. Please email me your intention to attend!
Dr. Elton Amos, Director
Pastor@OldLandmark.com
I respect the Health and Wellness initiative our national church is implementing. I’ve been COGIC all of my 34 years of living. I’ve worked in Public Health in the area of HIV/STD Prevention for eight years. I’ve read many statistics regarding the high number of HIV/AIDS cases in communities of color across this country. I’ve worked for a couple of years to mobilize African American churches to join forces with those of us in public health to address this issue. For some reason other denominations have been present at the table. Not one COGIC pastor has made and effort to take a stand and participate. Though I’ve been saved and holy ghost filled most of my life, I am not ignorant to the reality that the COGIC needs to face the music and realize that HIV/AIDS is in OUR COGIC churches. What do we as Public Health professionals have to do to get the attention of our COGIC leaders. Yes, I’m aware our Presiding Bishop has an AIDS initiative in Africa but charity should start at home.
This is excited news and a great move of God. Our local church, Glad Tidings COGIC in Hayward, Ca. under the leadership of Bishop J.W. Macklin has an active Health and Wellness Ministry. Testimonies of detection of potentially life altering health issues abound. This ministry provides the membership and community with health literature,and screenings, support groups, along with assistance in navigating health systems and health issues. I look forward to hearing more of this move and opportunities to be a part of this move of God.
I am so Godly proud of our inovative & anointed Leader. This is the kind of leadership that will lead the saints into the future. I fully support his moving the convocation to St Louis in 2010. I am praying daily that this grand old C.O.G.I.C will support our Bishops leadership. My prayer is that our Bishop will continue to lead this church with the vision God has given him.
Thank you, Dr. Amos. I wish that we will all read your article. I have a genuine hope now after reading it. I will be praying for the Health and Wellness in the Church of God in Christ. God’s people need to wake up, obesity is no joke!!!! It is not good for us. Just imagine the entire COGIC community all physically fit, least amount of fat and less sickness, just think. Well, I say let’s go for it. I am tired of being out of breath and not being able to run like I used to. I dance before the Lord, but not like I used to since the weight.
Thanks for all the information. We need more heatlh concerns and awareness even in our local fellowships. Alter workers and choir,youth dept, every department, should fellow this and train others. Let’s all keep a healthy home as well as body of Christ.
Dr. Amos,
Thank you for providing this medical information. I agree that we are living in a time of serious illness. Its time for leaders to teach the importance of life change not only spiritually but physically that can benefit all.
Congratulations, Supt Amos (Jerry):
This concept is so vitally needed in the COGIC. As a board-certified neurologist who practiced medicine for over 18 years, I clearly see the need for the church to take a bold stand to increase access to high quality health care. We must empower the saints to become more proactive in taking better care of themselves. Our leaders are vital to our churches. One minister said, “God decides how long we live. We decide how well we live.” I think we can improve our health by making the necessary changes in our lifestyles, including our diets and our need for physical fitness. Your brother always.
Director Elton Amos, MD Maurice Allen Westside COGIC 1902 W. Chestnut Enid, OK 73703 am pleased to read of this much needed movement. I have been blessed to be a part of numerous reahabilitation efforts and countless weightloss adventures. I look forward to assisting you in any way I can. This blog is to congradulate you and offer my services. This movement has brought more confirmation to me from God concerning a specific service. I look forward to working with all of you Gods people that have been called to this service. May God bless us all bountifully. coachallen247@gmail.com
This is great that our church is going forward with the idea to change the health lifestyle of its constiuents. We are way out of bounds when it comes to eating healthy. The world widw fast is a great way to get started. I am with aprogram that provides the best products when it omes to changing the way we live and eat. Ideal Health products will change many lives.
Great information, We can all use this
I will attend this meeting. Marion DePuit
This ideal gives light to 3John 1:2, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in Health, even as thy soul prospereth
I plan to attend this meeting. I am the Co-Founder/Executive Director of a local nonprofit organization in Savannah. Our mission includes HIV prevention education. I am excited about this upcoming meeting.
I am thankful for Bishop Blake and the entire General Board for their leadership. I am also thankful for my Pastor, Bishop Benjamin Payne Collins.
I am a Registered Respiratory Therapist in the State of Georgia working in the major trauma hospital in Southeast Georgia (Memorial Health University Medical Center). Therefore, I see all of these tragic statistics first-hand on a daily basis. And many of the people are apart of somebody’s church.
I think that this is a great initiative and will be beneficial to the Church of God in Christ and the body of Christ as a whole.
I am so glad I was able to attend the meeting and meet a few of our churches medical professionals. I look foeward to working with all of you. Thank you Dr Amos for your hard work
Patrice Nichoslon-Hall
I wish above all things, you prosper and be in health, even as your
soul prospers. The need is great, the workers few but the fields are ripe for harvest. But go ye into my vineyard and work, and what soever is right I will repay you….To whom much….
Thanks for contacting me, I’m sorry our teleconference failed Fri 11/06/09. Perhaps e-mail/phone can be utilized to communicate for future endeavors.
After Joining the COGIC in 1984 I was a Nurse and I had been living in sin as a Female Inpersonator almost 25 Yrs . When I beacame Saved I was wearing High heeled Shoes and Makeup also my hair was blond. The Lord Delivered me and after almost 16yrs of being in Church , I recieved the News that I was HIV Posivtie ! I knew that I had been freed by the hand of GOD! Some yrs earlier and didnt know if I had contacted the Virus thru my passed Life or thru Working with HIV patients that I had worked with many I didnt know where infected and where released before the Standard Test came back and confirmed thier diagnoises. Many of us that had been working with HIV/ AIDS patients and had been infected by being stuck with dirty needles and bloody working conditions . I told the elders of my Church and they all ran away from me . I didnt have a friend to call or help me . But after much praying and fasting the Lord lifted me Up and carried me threw the pass 14 yrs . Now I give that Life back to those who need it most . I go to Churches and diffrent other places telling my story and how God can bring you out of a BAD situation ! and Change your Life . I can Now Say that Im still here by the GRACE of GOD! and I Minister to those who cant or wont go to Church ! because of the stigma of the Condition that they carry . You wont believe the response that i have recieved by appying the WORD of GOD to thier Lives . Didnt JESUS go amoung the Leapers ? And he always went alone and healed many and told many Not to tell anyone ! With so many in the Church going threw Divorces and Widows and singles in the Church it is a neccessity to reach out and touch the people that need help Most . The Black Church drop the Ball when it came to the Fight against HIV/AIDS the Catholic Church picked up the ball and ran with it Helping any way that they can. We as a National Black organization , should stop putting so much effort in putting people down by HOW they conntacted the Virus and work on ending the spread of the Virus . PLease Look at the Numbers about your Host city for the next COGIC Convocation in 1910 The City of St.Louis is Number 1 in STD Infections and thats below the age of 25 yrs old . The Black Church was the Center of all activity in the Black Communiity , But when it came to HIV/ AIDS it drop not only the ball it refused to adknowlege the depth of the epidimic . And became a finger pointing , Witch Hunt that was a Hear say nightmare , Many taleted Minister , Missionarys , and Lay Members and Musician have had to hide thier illiness to protect thier privicy and Died without even recieving the Help that they so desperly needed ? Yes I believe that abstinice is the key . But How many of us where abstince before we were married ?
I dont believe that GOD would have so many to suffer from something that can not only Change your LIFE! but end it , if you dont receive the Help that they need , Not the Stigma that they have been shown .
Please , STOP the madness and make a effort to educate and make your body of memebers aware of the Issue that not only effects the Men members of our Body , But the older ones too! This Virus has no dicreation and knows no Bounderies !
AS Bishop GE Patterson said ! ( Be Healed ! Be Delivered ! Be Set Free! You can conatct me at the above email address to discuss any situation that can Help you or our Body of Members !
May GOD Bless you and Keep you !
above all. Im still Here !
As a practicing healthcare professional of 36 years, I am a frontline witness to the medical and spiritual consequences of our progressively unhealthy life styles. As you have clearly articulated in your brochure, our Church has a statistical responsibility (with it’s vast membership and attentive audience), to provide a collective forum to address health and wellness issues. Christians cannot afford to be ignorant in this area. Many are committing slow suicide through our failure to live balanced lives with attention to both the spiritual and the physical needs of the body. Having divine access to miracles does not negate our God-given responsibility to take care of the “fearfully and wonderfully made bodies we have been given. So, as much as it be possible, we can present healthy “bodies as a living sacrifice” and “temples of the Holy Ghost”. I know of no better entity and no better timing for the church to assume the forefront in providng education and accountability; especially during the current national focus on “healthcare reform”. May God bless the ongoing efforts of our organization in addressing these issues.
L. Smith-Johnson, RN
I wish to thank all of you who attended the first/organizational meeting of COGIC Global Health and Wellness. The goals set forth are lofty, but then, so are the gains.
As COGIC succeeds in this endeavor, a lasting landmark and social footprint will be made by the healthcare professionals of our church. COGIC Global Health and Wellness teams will help alleviate pain and suffering along side some of the worlds greatest unsung heroes: COGIC missionaries, evangelists, prayer warriors and ministers.
Please watch the COGIC.com website for our next gathering, or email me at Pastor@OldLandmark.com
Director Elton Amos, MD
God created our wonderfully and fearfully made bodies, and He also designed the proper foods to sustain it. In this age of information there is no excuse for ignorance of proper nutrition. Healthcare begins with the maintenence or our own bodies, as poor nutrition is a cause of so many ailments and diseases. So many people live undisciplined concerning nutrutrition and excercise and the cost is bad health. Then you’re caught up in the healthcare system of toxic drugs and the high cost of medical care. And usually medical treatment just deals with symptoms. All the way back to the garden satan used food as the first temptation, and we’ve fallen prey to bad nutrition since. Americans spend the most money concerning health and medical treatment, yet we have poorer health than any other industrialized nation. The bible says that man will grow wiser, yet weaker. As far as science and technology we are amazingly progressing. The weakness of America is moral decline, undisciplined lives and self gratification in so many areas, including diet.
Dr Amos,
Congratulations for this assignment. I look forward to the development of your plans.
My church and jurisdiction have wellness ministries and pledge our full cooperation with you and the medical professionals of our great church.
Your friend & brother,
Bishop Coby
I have read your articles with great interest. The white race (of which I am) is also rapidly declining in sexual morality, a genuine faith in God and respect for His Word. In our race, honesty, integrity, and self-respect (”it’s not wrong unless you are caught” idea) seem to be gaining more and more rapidly. In our churches, liberalism is moving in, going against God’s Word. There seems to be no reverential fear of God. How we need to pray for each other! I often feel we are living in the “last days,” and we are all running to and fro with no thought of the Lord.
Also, I was very interested in Steve James’ statement that the Bible says that “man will grow wiser, yet weaker.” I was saying this very thing to my granddaugther just a few days ago, and she said “I don’t recall reading that in the Bible.” I have heard this quoted since I was a child (I’m now 75), but since she has challenged me, I can’t find this in the Bible. When thinking about this, I have wondered if it meant that man will grow wiser (technology, etc.), but weaker in the faith. It certainly seems that as the world progresses in technology, man is beginning to feel that he has no need for God. If Steve can tell me where this is in the Bible, I would greatly appreciate it.
May God bless and help us all as we pray for each other. May He guard, guide, and direct all of His children.
In His Mighty Name,
Annette
abs1224@bellsouth.net
I feel it would be a great Ideal for Dist & Jurd meeting flu shots given during our meetings and National meetings.
Why can’t nurses
be there to help. Our cogic has alot of reg. Lic. Nurses within it.
Why not have full check up available to them who need it, eye glass
exams, health care exam, and discount goverment cards to help pay. Some of our saints are not able to get the help they always need.
Some need referral information on where to go for treatments and mental helps. Our people get depressed and won’t get help.
Mental health treatments. Understand when a person needs to get help
Healthcare on std’s for the youth and as well as other. We are unable to stop anyone from sinning. But can’t we keep them safe, with full understanding of what can happend to them and where they can go for help. This is also 2010 we must step in the New Year ready to win
God Bless
The key to good health is to drink 64 or more ounces of water a day, eat at least 5 fruits and 5 vegetable, eat chicken, turkey and fish(5-6 times a week)not fried,yogurt or 2% milk and whole grain cereals and breads. Stay away from sweets and junk food and do some type of exercise and you will be sucessful in weight loss and being healthy. Please remember to take a multivitamin daily. If the COGIC will stay away from certain practices and remember what our founding fathers passed on to us, we will continue to be sucessful. We must stay away from junk and sweets(ways of the world coming into the Church).We must continue to eat the Word and let it digest into our heart and soul and again we will continue to be sucessful.
Congratulations I Thank God for this move,would love to work with you, keep me posted.We are moving in a positive direction.