A New Start

BAYTOWN, TEX. – In an effort to serve the community through health evangelism, the Baytown LaPorte Seventh-day Adventist Church conducted a community-wide health fair on Jan. 12, 2020, at the Baytown Community Center. 

This past year, Antonette Melrose, a registered nurse, became the church's health ministries director. Shortly thereafter the pastor, Jose M. Rojas, suggested the church conduct a health fair as part of the church’s overall evangelism program to serve the community and to continue the growth of the church. 

This was a big step for the church as members had never planned, organized or conducted such a huge event, but everyone agreed to the idea and planning started immediately. The church decided to conduct a NEWSTART (Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunshine, Temperance, Air, Rest and Trust) health fair. Services included blood pressure checks, blood sugar, breath capacity, dental, vision, physical fitness/BMI, computer health age, men’s health and women’s health, massage therapy, a blood drive, barbers, a cooking demonstration, an outreach station, a prayer station and even a raffle every 30 minutes where the church gave away health-related gifts such as a juicer, a blender or a blood pressure cuff. 

Houston Central, Houston Spanish Spring Branch and Katy Spanish Central Seventh-day churches gave advice and support. Sister churches Baytown Spanish Seventh-day Adventist Church and Baytown United Seventh-day Adventist Church added to the overall success of the health fair. 

Church members distributed 2,000 flyers in both English and Spanish to surrounding neighborhoods, businesses and other locations. The event was advertised in the local newspaper and on a local Christian radio station. 

The event attracted hundreds of attendees and was considered a huge success by everyone involved, especially those in the community receiving the free services and gifts!   

Church members were blessed in providing this event and are already making plans for other health-related programs. They look forward to seeing the church grow through health evangelism.

An event like this also provides a variety of ways for people, including children, to participate, making it an opportunity for total team involvement.

By Tom Melrose II