THEY are young, well educated, energetic, and dedicated. Can you use this kind of a Bible worker?
They can train church members to do health evangelism; they can conduct a variety of health programs such as cooking schools, stop-smoking and weight-control clinics, parent education, and they can give Bible studies in groups or on an individual basis. Can you use this kind of a Bible worker?
They can reach a class of people who are not attracted by ordinary methods of evangelism the educated, the professional, the sophisticated, and the wealthy. Can you use this kind of a Bible worker? Then maybe the School of Health at Loma Linda University has something for your needs.
We are offering a Master's degree in health education, which provides a young man or woman with the training necessary to combine health education and Bible work. Master's students in the department of health education come from a variety of backgrounds. While at the school the student who is interested in Bible work takes classes in public health concepts, as well as in basic health concepts, learns to work with both groups and individuals, and becomes familiar with school-health education, public-health nutrition, physical fitness, and health evangelism, including the follow-up of the health interests with Bible studies.
Traditionally, Bible workers have played a limited role in the work of the church, being confined primarily to fol lowing up interests and giving Bible studies on an individual basis. Graduates who complete the health-Bible work curriculum can fit a more-expanded role. They can work with the church in training members to hold cooking schools, give Bible studies, and explain the Adventist life-style. They can work with community groups, schools, volunteer associations (such as the Heart Association and Cancer Society), service clubs, and other groups to create interest in the philosophy and teaching of Seventh-day Adventists.
We feel that this expanded role might also include being a part of the medical team in an individual or group practice. Here they can do specific health education follow-up, as well as aid the doctor in his soul-winning endeavors.
At the conference level, the health educator-Bible instructor might work with the churches of the conference in developing their full potential in health-evangelistic work. Therefore, we feel that this new category of worker is employable in a local church, with a conference, in a hospital, in a better- living center, or in a medical practice. A limited number of these valuable church workers graduated in June, 1975, and are already placed.
Many School of Health students enroll in the health-education curriculum because, as a result of their study of the Spirit of Prophecy, they feel this is an avenue where they can play a special part in the finishing of the work. As the church sees their potential and gives them the opportunity to serve, many others, we believe, will join their ranks, and "with such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world!" —Education, p. 271.
