Nearly 200 church leaders and medics gathered in Birmingham, England, this week to plan new initiatives in health care. Against the backdrop of rising chronic illness in the UK, churches and Christian general medical practitioners (GPs) will outline their initiatives to reverse this trend. Conference convener, and coordinator of the Anglican Health Network, Revd Paul Holley, said, ‘Whilst the UK’s National Health Service delivers medical services, people’s mental and physical health depends far more on their lifestyles. Poor diets, lack of exercise and relentless stress are taking their toll. More people live alone and lack the support of intimate and community relationships to promote wellbeing’. Mr Holley pointed out that churches have supported people in their various circumstances through prayer, ‘but now they are increasingly taking practical action to tackle these causes of poor health. The conference will make visible the wide range of activity already in play.’

Pray: for the opportunities that the Church has in partnering health services bringing God‘s perspective and the power of prayer into health care. (3Jn.1:2)

More: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/acns/news.cfm/2013/4/23/ACNS5384