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PRESS RELEASE

Pictured from Left:  Sis. Anise Jefferson, Pastor Michael O. Minor, Judy Belue and Sis. Minnie Wilkerson.                                                                                              

HEALTH MINISTRY RECOGNIZED AS NOVEMBER HEALTH CHAMPION

During the month of November 2008 and any other month during the year, members of Oak Hill Baptist Church are receiving physical as well as spiritual ministry.  Oak Hill Baptist Church in Hernando is recognized as the November Health Champion by the DeSoto County Community Health Council, a component of Get A Life! My Life, My Health, My Choice, the childhood obesity prevention initiative of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi. 

 Oak Hill takes physical health seriously and offers many opportunities for its members to participate in physical and nutritional activities.  The church has a community recreational area and walking track along with a community garden.  “Road Warriors” are Oak Hill ushers who visit other churches sharing faith-based health opportunities.  Sisters Anise Jefferson and Minnie Wilkerson are part of the ‘Road Warriors”.  They visited others churches during 2008 not only sharing, but bringing back valuable information for their congregation at Oak Hill. 

 Dr. Michael O. Minor is the pastor of Oak Hill Baptist Church and also chairs Healthy Congregations, the faith-based component of Get A Life!.  This project is a non-denominational health ministry movement in northwest Mississippi.  Other program of Oak Hill include, ‘Taste Test Sunday’, a tasting of diabetes approved desserts, community-wide health fair, combined usher ministry walk-a-thon and support of the DeSoto Health & Wellness Center, a primary health clinic for the working uninsured.  2009 will see a repeat of these activities with new ones added, such as the Post-Holiday Blood Drive.  The November Health Champion recognition was made during church services on January 18 by DeSoto County Community Health Council member, Judy Belue.

The Community Health Council receives nominations throughout the year for Health Champions.  This can be an individual, business, civic or nonprofit organization, school or faith-based organization.  Send the nomination along with a brief description of why the recognition is deserving to Peggy Linton (plinton@cfnm.org) or fax to 662.449.5006.  To learn more about Get A Life! go to www.kidsgetalife.org.