Paterson Church Hosts “Health Now” Series
From March 28 to March 31, 2025, the First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Paterson hosted an inspiring health seminar titled “Health Now: God’s Plan for Abundant Living.”
Facilitated by Dr. Orlando Thomas, a medical and functional medicine doctor, the event provided attendees with valuable insights into holistic health, disease prevention, and faith-based wellness. The Health Now Series was a collaborative initiative between the church’s Sabbath School and Personal Ministry Departments, with a vision to equip the community with practical tools for healthier living.
The seminar featured a series of informative sessions, each addressing critical aspects of health and well-being. The event kicked off with a live-streamed session, Why Do We Get Sick?, igniting thoughtful conversation around the root causes of illness and the path to healing.
On Sabbath morning, attendees gathered for Rest and Health, highlighting the importance of rest in overall wellness. This day also served as Community Guest Day, welcoming visitors from across the city to worship, learn, and connect. In the afternoon, What to Eat/When to Eat offered nutritional guidance and lifestyle habits rooted in natural health principles.
Sunday evening featured All Diseases Begin in the Gut, focusing on the role of gut health in disease prevention. The session included a live demonstration where participants learned how to make nutritious smoothies, a natural painkiller, and a homemade flu shot using simple, wholesome ingredients. Guests actively engaged in food sampling, note-taking, and lively Q&A sessions.
On Monday night, the seminar concluded with The Answer to Cancer, a live-streamed presentation offering evidence-based insights into cancer prevention and natural therapies. A special highlight of the weekend was the presentation of a community impact citation to Mr. Bevon Baker, CEO of Paterson Community Health Center Inc., recognizing his outstanding contribution to public health in the city of Paterson. The Health Now initiative also marked the beginning of a growing partnership between the First SDA Church and Paterson Community Health Center Inc., aimed at fostering ongoing collaboration in promoting community wellness.
The event was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, with 100% of survey respondents rating the seminar as “Excellent” and “Extremely Beneficial.” Many attendees expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn practical, Bible-based health principles and shared how they plan to Integrate the teachings into their lives.
For those who missed the event, recordings are available on the church’s Facebook and YouTube channels @firstsdapaterson. Stay connected for future events centered on faith, health, and community empowerment.
By Popsann Francis, Communication Director, First Seventh-day Adventist Church of Paterson