NEWSTART Global Launched with Strong Support From World Church Leadership
On Sunday, August 7, 2011, Weimar Center of Health & Education President, Dr. Neil Nedley, shared exciting news about the launch NEWSTART Global℠ and the progress made in developing a registered nursing (RN) training program. The announcements were made at Weimar’s first annual Dinner with the Presidents. This event was attended by General Conference leadership including President Ted Wilson, Assistant to the President Mark Finley, and Ministerial Director Jerry Page, as well as leadership from Adventist Laymen’s Services and Industries (ASI), and friends and supporters of Weimar.
NEWSTART Global is a comprehensive plan that will deliver the NEWSTART® program on a world-wide scale by utilizing Weimar’s trained staff and students, along with graduates of the planned RN program, to equip local churches to become “centers for health and healing.” Dr. Neil Nedley explains, “God has a plan for Weimar Center of Health & Education that is far beyond anything we have previously thought. He has a call upon us to be a tool in the hands of evangelists around the world – from individual church members to General Conference leaders. Jesus is coming soon and he has told us that medical ministry will be one of the final avenues for reaching people. God needs us to equip His people to do that work.”
The new initiative received favorable responses from dinner attendees. After the presentation Elder Wilson said, “The presentation that Neil just made resonates so deeply in my own heart that I know the Holy Spirit is working on all fronts to bring the church together in a united way to accomplish something extraordinary!...Weimar not only has a heritage and a past, it has a future!”
How NEWSTART Global℠ Works
NEWSTART Global is designed to educate, inspire, and equip local churches, schools, and health organizations around the world to do health evangelism simply and effectively. Through a multiphase plan that closely tracks Ellen White’s counsel for health evangelism, local churches will be able to effectively use health outreach as the “entering wedge” of the gospel. Weimar Center will provide the necessary materials, systems, training, and medical missionaries to help the local church become a center of influence. To view the full NEWSTART Global presentation go to www.newstartglobal.com
Many of the resources in NEWSTART Global have already been developed. The online NEWSTART Lifestyle Club, for example, has thousands of members across the United States who are interested in learning about better health. Churches can use the website to contact these individuals and others in their community about events and seminars that the church is holding. See www.newstatclub.com/sponsors
Regarding the expansion of NEWSTART’s influence through NEWSTART Global, Elder Wilson stated, “Helping local churches to become centers of influence and health centers for the Lord, this is what our church needs!”
Planned Nursing Program Crucial to Development of NEWSTART Global
The planned Weimar College RN training program is a crucial component of the NEWSTART Global initiative. Graduates will offer professional expertise and provide training to local church members, making the principles of NEWSTART accessible and useful to churches conducting health evangelism.
Weimar College is now working on the sixth of the eight steps required to open the nursing program. Final board of nursing approval could happen as early as the fall of 2012. Once fully approved, this program will prepare students to function as state certified nurses as well as medical evangelists.
“God has already accomplished nearly everything that is needed for this nursing program,” affirmed Elder Wilson. “You’ll find the right [director for the program]. There will be students! Something dramatic is going to happen!”
Support for Weimar Center’s Vision
The evening’s attendees repeatedly expressed their desire for Weimar to meet its God-given objectives. “The world church is looking at Weimar! I’m looking at Weimar…” affirmed Elder Wilson. He ended by calling for other leaders to support Weimar. “We want to make sure that something successful happens in Weimar! I [am going to ask] our leaders to pay close attention to what’s happening in Weimar, and to assist in whatever way we can… You are going to be very much a part of our network. We’re going to depend on Weimar for many, many things. By God’s grace, by your help, and the help of many others, Weimar will be reignited as an incredible center to help us finish God’s work.”