Health and wellness are emphasized by New Zion leadership as essential to overall well being of the whole person. We need to be physically fit as well as spiritually fit. Our Nutrition Ministry emphasizes healthy eating and aspires to provide health conscious repasts for church events whereas the Body and Soul Ministry emphasizes an overall healthy life style.

Our Blood Pressure Monitoring Team stresses the importance of blood pressure control and encourages persons with abnormal blood pressure to consult their family physicians. The Avon Walk team promotes an active lifestyle by inviting  congregants to join the walking team as they prepare for the grueling 39 mile walk.

Emily Cash demonstrates pilates exercises

“He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers yeah strength to the weak. Even  youths will become exhausted, and young men will fall give up. But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”  Isaiah 40:29-31 (NLT)

The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is a national initiative focused on providing access to care (especially to the medically under-served) and finding a cure for both women and men who have breast cancer . Grants are awarded to local, regional, and national breast cancer organizations to support five areas of the breast cancer cause: (1) awareness and education, (2) screening and diagnosis, (3) access to treatment, (4) support services, and (5) scientific research. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer has been held in Houston, Boston, Chicago, the Rocky Mountains, San Francisco, Santa Barbara, New York, Charlotte, and Washington, D.C.

The Avon Walk Ministry at New Zion has participated in the Washington DC walk since 2006. Each year, the New Zion team walks either the marathon length of 26.2 miles or the entire 39 miles within a span of two days. In addition to the walk team, New Zion's participation in this outreach, health and wellness initiative is also inclusive of: trainers, a medical team, volunteers, and supporters.  Each walker is committed to raise a specified amount of money (e.g., a minimum of $1,800). So far, with the support the church and community, each walker has been able to reach this financial goal.

"And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee." Exodus 23:25

On duty nurses  from the Health & Wellness team check and monitor blood pressure of persons seeking the free service.

Nurse Ruth Sumler (second from right) checks blood pressure of Robert  Martin (seated). Other on-duty nurses (L - R)  are Karen Stokes, Leslie  Watts, and Mary Billups.

Body and Soul encourages church members to eat a healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables  every day for better health. Our vision is to empower members to take  care of their bodies as well as their spirits. This is accomplished by:

• Presenting information such as handouts, displays, Power Points, etc. to increase  member awareness of how good health habits lower the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. This includes  placing information in the church bulletin as well as placing  information relative to healthy living on bulletin boards and in the  church library.
• Promoting  a daily consumption of 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables
• advocating frequent physical activity
• Encouraging members to get regular health screenings while encouraging healthy eating

Body and Soul Team Members (R to L) Dawn Martin, Barbara Ingram, Bernice Perkins and Pastor Robert Whitehead Sr.

The community participates in ”Let’s Get Physical - Ready-Set-Go.” Dr. Brenda Christian demonstrates chair exercises as others engage in Yoga, Pilates, walking and other forms of exercise

Visit the Body & Soul Website for more information

Jesus said to them, ”I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall  not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
John 6:35

The Nutrition Ministry at New Zion emphasizes healthy living. As a part of our Nutrition Ministry, a health aware breakfast is prepared for worshipers most Sundays and is served between the time that the 8:30 a.m. services ends and Sunday School starts at 10:30 a.m. There is no cost to for this service. The Nutrition Ministry also assist with food preparation and service for other church sponsored activities.

Nutrition Team Members Prepare To Serve Breakfast Between Church Services

Breakfast Team Relaxes After A Job Well Done!