Centered on Health and Helping

By Amy Elizer

Center Point Church near Hickory Valley is one of several faith “systems” in the county that has implemented a Wellness Committee focused on health improvements suggested by H2O. Believed to be among the smallest of Hardeman County’s worship groups, their congregation totals only 16, but their micro-sized membership does not preclude maximal impact.

Wanza Taylor is one of Center Point’s greatest assets, a long-time community organizer and servant-minded individual who first suggested working with H20 after her involvement as a volunteer in the food distribution “system” hosted at First Baptist Church of Middleton during the pandemic. In picking up and delivering food boxes to shut-ins and others in need in her community, she recognized the opportunity for her place of worship to BE MORE active in promoting health and outreaching to others. With her exuberant support and “Can do” attitude, Center Point’s Church soon became a more health-oriented system, capable of positively influencing the wellness trajectory of its membership and expanding its community profile with a Blessing Box of donated, health-conscious foods.

Wanza reports that her church’s wellness initiatives have endowed the membership with “excitement and focus” to address the health issues with which they are dealing, conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. Church members walk together, watch their food intake together, assuring that all events offer healthy choices, and garden together, helping younger generations understand and appreciate the health and healing that working the soil provides. Their “system” includes the fellowship of creating crafts together, homemade goods that support fundraising for the community.

As to health improvements, Wanza herself has lost 29 pounds since Center Point has coalesced under the banner of health. Others are finding success in their quests, as well.

A church, big, medium, little, of any denomination, is an ideal system for health improvement, founded as it is on faith, trust, fellowship, and love. Interdependence, interconnectedness are nowhere as apparent or as revered as in a community of believers. 

H2O invites your church, your workplace, your “system” to BE MORE focused on the power of interconnections in achieving improved health. To learn more, contact Amy Elizer at aelizer@utk.edu.

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