Bethel Baptist promotes local health services

Published 12:21 pm Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Representatives from the American Cancer Society, Leeds Family Chiropractic, Peterson Dental, a lactation specialist from St. Vincent’s, Curves (to name a few) along with a craft corner where visitors could make scarves out of t-shirts or stone picture blocks joined Bethel Baptist Church for its first annual health and craft fair.

Organized by Bethel Baptist Church members Ginger Sims and Sharon Stephens the ladies started out with just five people participating, but ended up having a crowd of 97 supporters attend the event and 17 vendors at their first health and craft fair.

“As women we need to take care of our bodies. They are our temples,” said Sims on how the idea started.

“We have a great team of people,” said Stephens.

While women throughout the community learned about specific health services offered around St. Clair County and its surrounding areas, the women (and two men) in attendance also enjoyed time to fellowship.

Creating a ladies night out event, the crowd was served dinner and listened to several speakers before the evening ended.

Julie Ferrell from Curves helped attendees understand the right way to read a food label and encouraged women to take time for themselves to ensure overall health.

“Healthier choices with the foods you’re choosing make your kids healthier as well. You’ll feel better and have more energy,” said Ferrell. “’Cause when momma ain’t happy—nobody is, right?”

Kayla Blakely with Parkway Family Practice echoed Ferrell by encouraging the audience to eat well by enjoying a little bit of everything, rather than a lot of one thing.

Gail Burns, St. Vincent’s lactation specialist and wife of Bethel Baptist’s senior pastor Chris Burns, spoke about the positive effects prayer and a relationship with God have on your health.

“It’s an incredible blessing He’s given us, that being with Him through keeping an attitude of prayer throughout the day improves our health,” said Burns.

Researching the health benefits of prayer, Burns asked the group to look inward and asked, “Have you ever examined what you must look like to God?”

Feeling fortunate for their well-attended first time event and looking forward to next year, the ladies ended the evening by sharing words of thanks.

“This has been an unbelievable night. I feel so blessed that y’all were here tonight,” said Sims.

“This event has been awesome. The community participation has been outstanding,” said Stephens. “Never underestimate God.”