Spreading the gospel through CHIP in Sheffield

Burngreave Communications Dept.

Paul J Meyer once wrote “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe, and enthusiastically act upon... must inevitably come to pass!” After several leadership training seminars and two MicroCHIP programmes, the final countdown for the Sheffield CHIP (Coronary Health Improvement Project) began earnestly in January 2010 and the Lord opened up many doors for us to take our health message into various venues. These included preaching appointments and seminars in Sunday churches as well as workshops at a large multi-denominational conference for women.

Finally, at 7pm on May 4th 2010 at Burngreave SDA Church Hall, so began the inaugural Sheffield CHIP programme. We had 15 participants and a number of observers each night. Eight of the participants were non-Adventist and some travelled from as far away as Leeds and Doncaster, each having a desire to improve their health.

The CHIP programme comprised of seminars that ran for three nights a week (from 7pm to 9pm) for five weeks. These seminars encouraged participants and reminded team members to take charge of their health by daily exercise, eating plant based foods, drinking water, getting adequate sunlight, fresh air, rest and also addressing emotional health by looking at social supports, forgiveness and self esteem. Each night the programme included video presentations from Dr Hans Diehl as well as live health presentations and mouth-watering food samples.

Commenting on the food one participant said: “after eating such tasty foods I don’t feel I need meat...” Exercise sessions were conducted by our fitness trainer, fondly known as “Gluteus Maximus” - after the area she encouraged us to squeeze during exercise. Sticking to a daily exercise programme is the strongest indicator that participants will maintain the new lifestyle, so participants were encouraged to make use of their pedometers by walking daily. Each evening miles walked or exercise taken was collated and plotted onto a map. Collectively we walked a total of 421 miles – which virtually would have taken us from Sheffield deep into France.

By the second week of the programme, participants were eating more and weighing less. Incredibly (but true), they no longer felt bloated and were waking refreshed and more energetic in the mornings. One participant said that “after a week of drinking water my headaches have gone... [and] I'm not shouting at the kids as I used to”. At the end of the five weeks, the results in the participants were plain for all to see: healthy glowing complexions, weight reduction and a proud sense of achievement. The results from the final health screen attested to the fact that blood sugars, blood pressures and blood cholesterol had also significantly reduced.

It was then time to celebrate achievements. The graduation ceremony was held on 8 June, and was attended by participants and their friends and family. The ceremony was opened by Gary McCullogh, Health Improvement Principal for Sheffield Primary Care Trust who was impressed with the results and encouraged the participants to stay healthy by choice. Grace Walsh (NEC Health Director) together with Pastor Victor Marshall awarded certificates and gifts to the ecstatic graduates.

A friend of one of the graduates remarked to her: “How comes you are so energetic... I want some of what you have”. Evaluation comments included “I would recommend this programme to everyone, it was professionally delivered and everyone was so loving and friendly... this is one team I would be happy to work with”. Jesus said “By this all will know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another” John 13:35 NKJV.

We would encourage every church to reach out into your community. Health programmes are a gentle introduction to the church. People are concerned about their health and when they come to realise the cause and effect of many diseases they are more willing to make necessary changes. In the supportive environment of CHIP, lasting friendships and contacts are made. Val Grossett, Sheffield CHIP co-ordinator, said: “All my previous experiences, all the things that I have learned, achieved and attained by the grace of God were used for the CHIP programme, with Christ no experience is wasted. What are your experiences what is your purpose in life? One writer said “Until you find it you haven’t lived and until you fulfil it you are not ready to die”.

Val was exceptionally proud of her team who she said emulated the “Body of Christ”. |Each team member used their unique gifts, and without their dedication and commitment the programme would not have taken place. Our timely lesson study about ‘Health and Healing’ said regarding serving one another that: “When you selflessly give of ourselves... something inside of us is touched... we get a satisfaction that, really, nothing else can match. And that is because... we are living as we were meant to live... doing what we were created to do”. So despite the intensity of the five week programme we had a sense of inner satisfaction that only service for the Lord can bring.

Many people are already asking when the next programme will be! Well, after a well-earned rest, by the grace of God we will continue to spread the Gospel through CHIP in May 2011.