Dublin, Ireland | Stephen Wilson, British Union Conference

Nothing attracts the public attention more than matters of health. No church has a stronger message to share on the subject than that of the Seventh-day Adventists – and so, on Sabbath, 23 May, the Dublin Adventist churches joined together for a special Day of Fellowship that would highlight this important part of our message.

Over 500 people were present at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blachardstown to hear Pastor Lynell LaMountain, Robyn Egerton and Sheryl Chernault of the CREATION Health team from Florida Adventist Hospital present the principles of CREATION Health. CREATION Health is a lifestyle and wellness programme developed by the team at Florida Hospital and repackages the Adventist Health message in a bright, colourful way utilising the latest scientific research and focussing on the whole person God created on day six of creation week. One aspect of the programme that was particularly highlighted in the Dublin presentations was the aspects of relationships and outlook.

Pastor David Neal, Irish Mission President, introduced the programme on Sabbath morning by reminding the Dublin members that the principles of CREATION Health have been part of the evangelistic plan for Dublin and are a continuing part of the City of Hope project that has seen so much activity in Dublin over the past two years. Irish Mission Health sponsor, Edith Samambwa, has been working for the past few months to establish a Centre of Influence in the newly renovated Ranelagh Adventist church. This centre will provide a series of health and social programmes for both members and the wider community in Ranelagh. The partnership between CREATION Health and the Adventist Church in Ireland will make a greater impact in Dublin.

Pastor LaMountain, Director of Health Ministries for the Southern Union Conference in the US and one of the key authors of the CREATION Health curriculum, was the main speaker for the day. His focus, both morning and afternoon, was on a healthy outlook. He encouraged people to determine the meaning of what happens in their lives, a meaning that supports life, faith and honours God.

In the afternoon Pastor LaMountain told those who are leaders in the church to be careful how we speak about our relationship with God. He noted that in salvation terms there is nothing we can do to merit God's favour stating, "what are we in comparison to the majesty of God?" but he then emphasised, "this does not mean we are worthless. Too many people have an unhealthily low value of self and this leads to pessimism and feelings of loneliness, isolation and failure. The good news of the gospel is that we are worth Jesus' death on the cross." He noted, "Christians are not victims of life's circumstances and ruled by the situations we face, we have a God-given purpose."

Following the Day of Fellowship the CREATION Health team headed west to Kilnasoolagh, the Adventist campsite in the west of Ireland, for a 3 day residential training with pastors and Health Ministries leaders. This will equip these leaders to make the principles of CREATION Health part of the DNA of the Adventist Church in Ireland.

 

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