Seeking to reach people within and outside their walls, over 200 Seventh-day Adventist churches across North America, including 19 in the Atlantic Union Conference, hosted the short mental health series MindFit this past spring. The Voice of Prophecy (VOP) produced the event to empower churches to be practical and spiritual resources for their communities battling a continent-wide mental health crisis.
“On a global scale, one in eight people struggle daily with mental illness—one in five in North America. The implication is clear: it is nearly impossible to live on this Earth and not be affected by mental illness,” said Alex Rodriguez, associate speaker for VOP.
Each session of MindFit, a four-part event, commences with audiences watching a 30-minute episode of a docuseries hosted by Rodriguez, who traveled across North America to speak with mental health professionals and patients. The series sheds light on the history and prevalence of mental health challenges. It emphasizes that effective treatments are available and amplified by biblical principles. After each episode, a local church leader guides the audience through a provided study and discussion.
Tina Marie Pena chose to lead MindFit at the Willimantic church in Windham, Connecticut because the program was free for attendees and refreshingly relevant. “Mental health is a good thing to discuss in the house of God,” Pena said.
The docuseries captivated Pena’s audience, leading many to open up about their own struggles. To Pena’s delight, her son, who was suffering from mental health issues related to his recently completed military service, not only fully engaged in the program but also brought friends from the community. He hugged his mom each night and even got a MindFit T-shirt.
“MindFit allowed conversations to happen that were not happening,” Pena shared. “To have a faith-based discussion about conditions, treatments, and how to not stigmatize—that encourages the church to become a safer, less judgmental place for people who are struggling.”
Violet Bidwell coordinated MindFit at the Athol church in Athol, Massachusetts, where she serves as church clerk. She believes God blessed the event, enabling her church to overcome obstacles. The small congregation experienced leadership changes just before the program began. “The members were left to go forward alone,” Bidwell explained. “But four ladies stepped up, each taking one night.”
Athol church members said MindFit equipped them to communicate compassionately with those suffering from mental illnesses. One community attendee accepted materials to complete the VOP-created follow-up Bible study “Peace Is an Inside Job.” He recently told Bidwell he was interested in attending a Sabbath worship service.
“The Holy Spirit was with us,” Bidwell said. “It was a good experience to work together and discuss real situations that aren’t going away until Jesus comes.”
For churches interested in hosting the event and receiving an advertising boost to attract more community members, VOP will conduct a continent-wide MindFit campaign on September 19-21, 2024, and again on January 2-4, 2025. Host churches will benefit from a mass social media campaign promoting the series in the weeks leading up to these dates.
“With approximately 6,500 Adventist churches throughout North America, our denomination is uniquely positioned to be a center of healing for those who are struggling,” Rodriguez observed. “May the love of Jesus be reflected through us as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit in bringing physical and spiritual healing to a world perishing in hopelessness.”
Visit MindFitEvent.com/Host to join the myriad churches serving their communities through this unique evangelistic event.
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Amanda Blake, writer, Voice of Prophecy
