The Health Ministries department of Japan Union Conference (JUC) conducted an experimental 5-day NEWSTART program for JUC office workers from September 28 to October 2, 2020, in order to improve our health physically, mentally, and most importantly, spiritually. Twelve JUC workers participated in this trial program. Usually the JUC Health department organizes a short live-in NEWSTART program this season of the year, but we had to cancel it this year due to COVID-19. There have also been many limitations in organizing evangelistic meetings and outreach activities at church since the beginning of this year. Churches have been struggling to find some way out to reach out to their communities in this difficult time. People not only in Japan, but all over the world, are afraid of this new virus, trying to find a way to prevent getting the virus and looking for health information.
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We wanted to recognize and experience how powerful God’s methods are. Without going out to a special place and staying in nature, we continued to work at the office as usual. Our goal was to pay attention to all of the NEWSTART principles: precious health messages that God has given us through the Bible and Ellen White’s writings. “Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper diet, the use of water, trust in divine power—these are the true remedies. Every person should have a knowledge of nature’s remedial agencies and how to apply them” (The Ministry of Healing, 127). These are true remedies that God has given us to maintain our health and for our restoration. It is known by the easy-to-remember acronym NEWSTART: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, Sunlight, Temperance, Air, Rest, and Trust in Divine Power.
Although we were familiar with the messages, most of us were not really practicing all the principles of health. Changing the lifestyle is not easy, but nothing is impossible through Christ. We wanted to be victorious over our indulgences that tend to weaken our physical and spiritual powers.
During the program, volunteer staff members provided participants with plant-based whole foods for breakfast and lunch, and freshly squeezed juice in place of dinner to rest the digestive system to promote healing during sleep. The day began with spending time with God, being empowered by Him, drinking a few cups of warm water to flush out toxins, walking in the sunshine, doing deep-breathing exercises outdoors, and eating a hearty, wholesome breakfast. Between meals, we were encouraged to drink lots of water, to stand up every hour, and to open the windows to get fresh air for good blood circulation. Normally we seldom got out from the office during the day, so all of us went out for a walk after lunch for about 20 minutes to get sunlight. Thankfully, we were blessed with beautiful weather during the program. After work, we got together for evening worship and a short health lecture before drinking fresh juice for dinner. The next day’s breakfast was provided after the lecture and all went home with the goal to go to sleep before 10 p.m. During the program, no snacking was allowed. Participants ate only what was provided and drank only water and herbal teas, avoiding any sugary, carbonated, and caffeinated drinks.
After the program, there were great results. Even though some had suffered from symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, and drowsiness, on the first few days, all of us had some improvements in just five days. We checked body weight, body fat, visceral fat, body water, BMI (Body Mass Index), BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), body age and other measurements before and after the program. On average, we lost 1.4% body weight and 5.9 % body fat; the best score was 2.6% weight loss and 17.3% fat loss. The following were noted by participants: quality of sleep was improved; sluggishness was gone, the mind got clearer, inflammation healed much faster than before, stiffness of the neck and shoulders was lessened, sleepiness in the afternoon was much less than before, bowel function was improved, menopause syndromes were lightened, concentration level was increased, etc.
All who took part in the program realized how powerful God’s methods are. Most of the participants are making efforts to maintain their new lifestyle for better health. Now we are thinking of ways we might be able to implement this program in churches around Japan to reach out to people with the health message as the right arm and entering wedge of the gospel work. We encourage our church members to stand up for their mission to share the gospel and bring people to Christ for salvation. As we live in the time of the end, this work needs to be done rapidly. May God pour out His Spirit with abundant wisdom and direct our path to finish the work on the earth before the second coming of Jesus!
Chizu Takahashi, JUC Health Ministries Staff Member