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HEALTH MINISTRY RECEIVES RECOGNITION

By Peggy Linton, Community Development Director for the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi

 GET A LIFE! and the DeSoto County Community Health Council recognized Brown Missionary Baptist Church in Southaven as the March Health Champion.  A comprehensive Health Ministry is alive and well at Brown Baptist!  The church is committed to the wellbeing of its congregation both spiritually and physically.   

The Health Awareness Ministry of Brown Baptist is doing something a little different for 2008.  The church keeps the congregation updated on the current health issues highlighting a medical disease in the church bulletin, but they are also expanding this service with what they are calling "Medical Health Moments" on third Sundays.  This  consist of showing a short clip on health issues such as asthma, a power point presentation on diabetes or other diseases, and sharing information with the congregation on diabetes and other health issues.  After each "Medical Health Moment" the church offers information at the end of service for anyone interested in learning more about that particular disease.

In 2008 the church is focusing more in the area of diabetes.  They are participating in "Project Power" which deals in the education of diabetes.  The church will be conducting several workshops throughout the year dealing with different aspects of diabetes and prevention.

 Brown Baptist is proud to promote healthy eating.  Brown is involved in "Weight Watchers", currently beginning the third "weight watchers" session.  Since the program started in October of 2007, participants have had a total weight loss of over 500 pounds. 

Brown Baptist will continue its congregation wide education by hosting a Women's Heath Summit in May as well as a Men's Health Summit in September.

"Our goal, according to Pastor Bartholomew Orr, "is to keep the congregation informed regarding health care issues, as well as the community".    "We are proud that we (the DeSoto County Community Health Council) can recognize one of our faith-based organizations.”  (Mellany Evans, Chairman, DeSoto County Community Health Council). “It is a goal of the Council to work with schools, churches and worksites to make a difference in the obesity epidemic.  Brown Baptist is a true example." (Evans) 

GET A LIFE! is the health initiative of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.  To learn more go to www.kidsgetalife.org or call 662.298.0027.  To nominate an organization, church, individual, government, or business for the April Health Champion recognition, contact Peggy Linton at 662.449.5002 or plinton@cfnm.org.

Picture cut line:   Mellany Evans Chair of the DeSoto County Community Health Conference (third from left) presents the Certificate of Recognition to Pastor Bartholomew Orr of Brown Missiary Baptist Church as the March Health Champion….an advocate for healthy lifestyles in DeSoto County.  Also, pictured is Cynthia Ware (far left) Community Foundation of Nrothwest Mississippi Board of Director and Karen Jeltz (far right) member of the Community Health Council.