Sharon Platt-McDonald and Rose Gomez

Under the leadership of Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Director for Health Ministries and Disability Awareness, and Gene Kol in her role as BUC CHIP Coordinator, the CHIP Steering Group was established early in 2010 to plan for the future development of CHIP in the British Isles and Ireland. The Conferences and Missions are represented on the CHIP Steering Group by their designated officers; Elsie Staple, SEC Health Director; Grace Walsh, NEC Health Director; Lil Saunders, Welsh Mission Health Sponsor; and Pastor David Hatch, Scottish Mission Health Sponsor. Members of the Steering Group include CHIP Directors from across the BUC territory, Pastors, and Adventist Health Professionals, experienced in facilitating the CHIP programme, which has become a regular feature in our church publications.

After seeking advice and guidance from the BUC Administration, in how best to ensure the future growth and development of CHIP in the UK, and with much prayer for supernatural guidance, the Steering Group met to select officers of the Adventist CHIP Association for the United Kingdom and Ireland in May 2010. The following members were voted to serve as the ACA Executive:

• Chairperson – Rose Gomez
• National Trainer – Pastor David Hatch
• Trainer (North) – Dr Jane Nyakundi
• Trainer (South) – Millie Williams
• Treasurer – Janice Hatch
• Secretary – Beverley Ngandwe
• Pastoral Role – Pastor Malcolm Watson

ACA Contact: email info@chipuk.org.uk website www.chipuk.org.uk Tel: 07931 338449

In June 2010 the BUC Executive received a report from Sharon Platt-McDonald on the Development of CHIP in the UK 2007-2010 and the formation of the ACA as a supporting ministry to carry CHIP forward.

From July 2010 the ACA will administer the CHIP programme throughout the British Isles and Ireland, with the continued secretarial and administrative support of Valerie Pearce at the BUC office until December 2010. (To order CHIP materials contact Valerie at ValeriePearce@adventist.org.uk Tel: 01923 672251).

The work of the ACA volunteers will greatly reduce the burden on the Union, to provide paid personnel to progress this arm of Health Evangelism. In recognition of this the BUC has generously donated resources to assist with the launch of the ACA. The Association will work closely with the Health Directors, Sponsors and local churches to promote CHIP and provide training and administrative support to existing and new CHIP Chapters.

CHIP has seen a rapid expansion in the British Isles since its launch in March 2007; with around 800 individuals having been trained or graduated from a MicroCHIP programme and a further 350 graduated from a CHIP programme. With representatives from over 140 churches participating in CHIP it has proved to be an excellent holistic outreach programme. With numerous reports of chronic lifestyle diseases being reversed and individuals reducing or eliminating prescription medication on Doctors advice due to positive health improvements, CHIP has indeed transformed lives.

Additionally its evidence as an effective and relevant health evangelistic tool is celebrated in 2 baptisms as a direct result of these individuals from the community graduating from the programme. Several others now continue ongoing contact with our church, many visiting on a regular basis, attending monthly CHIP Alumni meetings, additional health programmes and other seminars. Equally encouraging has been the requests for Bible studies, prayer and health correspondence courses. We commit these individuals to prayer as they seek to maintain long term friendships with our church and members and come to find the God who not only brings healing but redemption.

We pray that you will join us in interceding for the success of this ministry as we bring the message of health, hope and healing to individual lives to the glory of God’s name.