From a Christian perspective, becoming healed and whole may not mean the absence of pain or impairment.  Instead it is the understanding that it is Christ's love that heals brokenness and reestablishes right relationships with God and others.  Persons with disabilities, illnesses, mental illnesses and chronic disease are not excluded from God's gifts of health and wholeness.  Through healthy lifestyles, healthy decision-making, and healthy communities, all can help build health, healing and wholeness for all God's people.

The professional staff of National Health Ministries, guided by policies adopted by the General Assembly, helps congregations, presbyteries and synods meet the health needs of all Presbyterians by focusing on:

Caring for One Another
Caring for one another encourages individuals and congregations to join with others in service of the health and justice needs of people with chronic illnesses or conditions that limit their ability to live independently. By implementing programs at the local level, churches are involved in health-centered mission in action.

Promoting Health and Wholeness
Promoting health and wholeness helps congregations and leaders understand healthy behavior, wellness, health needs and health risks. Education and information encourages stewardship of health.

Working for Equity, Access and Advocacy
In creating shalom on Earth, active advocacy is needed to seek an equitable and just health system. Being informed and aware of important current issues related to health care coverage and the provision of health services is also an important factor.

A contemporary challenge to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is to be a center of responsibility and motivation to the promotion of health, an advocate for compassionate justice in health, and a model that leads by example.

The following statistics demonstrate the health care crisis America is experiencing:

• People shift responsibility from themselves to the medical care system for their health, when in fact, 50 percent of their health status is a result of lifestyle choices.
• Almost 33 percent of the poor have no health insurance coverage, denying access to care for more than 43 million people, of which one-third are children.
• Of the more than $500 billion spent annually on health care, only 3 percent is spent for prevention.

Training Programs—National Health Ministries develops and supports national, regional and seminary workshops designed to assist presbyteries and congregations in their health ministries. Our staff and consultants participate as program resource persons in many presbytery and synod events.

Consultants—Highly skilled and experienced specialists are employed by National Health Ministries as consultants.  These consultants help the whole church address its health concerns by sharing their experience in the areas of addiction, mental illness, HIV/AIDS, parish nursing and congregational health ministries.  They work primarily with presbytery leaders who request their services through National Health Ministries.

National Advocacy—The health policies and resolutions of the General Assembly urge Presbyterians to become involved in health ministries of direct service by reaching out to those in immediate need and advocating for a just health care system.  National Health Ministries works in conjunction with the Presbyterian Washington Office on public policy advocacy for health as well as supporting ecumenical, national and local efforts of advocacy.

Grants—National Health Ministries offers matching grants to presbyteries and synods ($500-$2,000) to help develop and strengthen health programs in local congregations.  Grants are also available for innovative ministries that represent emerging health needs.

Educational Resources—Resources offered by National Health Ministries include educational materials, curricula for youth, videos, worship resources, posters and bulletin inserts.

Networking/Sharing Models—National Health Ministries strongly encourages local congregations, presbyteries, synods, seminaries and ecumenical groups to share their stories and models of health ministries.  A compilation of models can be ordered through the resource section (Life Abundant: Celebrating Health, Healing and Wholeness—Stories of Health Ministries).