25 May 2009

Health emphasised in Solomon Islands

Honiara, Solomon Islands
RECORD staff/George Vann/Solomon Star

The eight Adventist churches in the Honiara region held a week-long health emphasis program earlier this month, aimed at dealing with health issues facing young people. The programs were part of Adventist Health Week.

Kukum Adventist church youth pastor George Maenu said each church came up with its own program, in line with the Adventist Church's health message. "The programs focused mainly on biblical healtful living," he says.
The programs also highlighted the dangers of lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, sexually-transmitted infections and health issues arising from the consumption of alcohol.

"These teachings should help young people recognise the importance of living a healthy lifestyle," Mr Maenu said.

The Adventist Health Association also provided speakers for each night the programs were being run by the eight churches. Local pastors were involved, speaking on the topic "The origin of Adventist health heritage" and the programs, before working through health readings.
Adventist health professionals also spoke about natural remedies and preventative medicine.

Other Health Week programs saw sermons presented at churches by Dr Silent Tovosia, Adventist Health Ministries director of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Solomon Islands; George Vann, associate director of Adventist Health Ministries for the Solomon Islands; and Dr Lester Ross, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in the Solomon Islands government.

The arrival of "Follow the Bible" coincided with Health Week, and all churches in Honiara held a combined service in Kukum church. President of the Adventist Church in the Solomon Islands Pastor Andrew Kingston spoke about the importance of studying the Bible, and was followed by Dr Tenneth Dalipanda, who spoke about the importance of activity in helping the body to fight disease.

Mr Vann says, "It was an exciting week because the members are rediscovering the origin of our health message. God's people will need to develop healthy and strong bodies as they await the soon coming of our Lord."

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