The medical/health ministry is very important to missionary work. The Spirit of Prophecy states that the Health reform is the right arm of the Third Angel’s Message. It is also stated that if our missionaries and Bible workers were to be twice as successful they should cultivate a knowledge of health and healing the body with natural methods.
Sanitariums have been opened up in different parts of the world today for the purpose of educating and encouraging healthful living. This goes together with the gospel ministry. “Those working in them should have at hand publications on health and temperance topics and on other phases of gospel truth.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 8, p. 397
The health ministry goes hand in hand with working for the salvation of souls. We are called to go about as our Master Jesus did, healing the sick and suffering, alleviating both their emotional burden of sins by pointing the way of Salvation and also their physical burden of ailments. To truly care for and love someone’s soul, it is necessary to care for their physical health as well.
Over 100 years ago, Sister White wrote that there were health food stores in existence to educate the public about health and sell health products. She mentioned the cities of Nashville, Tennessee, “They have treatment rooms, a health food store, and physicians’ offices.” (The Review and Herald, August 18, 1904, par. 1), San Francisco, “In the same locality was a health food store. (The Review and Herald, September 1, 1906), and Salt Lake City, “In a prominent part of the city our brethren are conducting a vegetarian cafe and a health food store.” (The Review and Herald, February 16, 1905).
Just over one year ago Sister Sandy Nelson, and her husband, Christian were led by the Lord to follow the counsel of the Spirit of Prophecy. The Lord opened up the way for them to purchase a health food store that had been in business for over 30 years in Valley Springs, California. This was a giant leap of faith and they have made many personal sacrifices, but the Lord has been good. God not only opened the way and provided the means to be able to purchase the store but also has provided His spirit to lead in blessing each person who enters their doors.
The Lord has sustained them and provided grace for each new day. Sister Anna Petrovich and Sister Sharon Eaton are running the store. They feel a great sense of both responsibility and privilege to be able to work in such an environment where they are able to provide help for their fellow human being’s physical and spiritual health.
Young Megan Petrovich and Stephen Nelson help out in the store every couple of days. One of the goals of the store is to mentor and train new medical missionaries, providing internships to members in other cities and countries so that they can come and learn about running a business and also about natural health and healing methods. The aim is that the interns would carry this knowledge back to their home towns to share the experience they have gained and use the healing methods they have learned to continue to help and bless more people.
The store has a small clinic as well, where Sister Sharon Eaton practices Iridology and gives health counsel using the knowledge she has obtained from her studies in Iridology and years of experience in various health food stores.
The store also has a small but growing restaurant with Vegan Nacho’s and Vegan Hot Dogs and several tables for customers to eat at. There is a large bulk herbs and spices section, spiritual themed gifts, aromatherapy, health groceries and frozen goods, natural personal care products such as natural soap, and home cleaning products, health supplements and vitamins, and a farm stand where fresh local produce is delivered once a week. There have been several cooking classes conducted at the store to help educate people on how to prepare meals that are both nutritious and delicious. More cooking classes and health talks are being planned to provide simple steps people can take to achieve optimum health. There are also plans to incorporate this information on the store’s website (http://www.health-habit.com/) and onto Sharon’s business website (https://www.eyeloveeveryone.com), as well as onto Sharon’s Facebook business page (https://www.facebook.com/EyeLoveEveryone)
Anna and Sharon have found on days that they pray more at the store they are able to be a much greater blessing. They recently decided to pray as many times as possible and have noticed even bigger blessings in the way they are able to help the people who come in as well as in the amount of sales made. They ask that every member work with them by remembering this missionary endeavor in their prayers as often as possible. Let us pray that the Lord will continue to sustain and prosper the business that they may be a blessing for every soul who enters. 
The Owners and Employees: From left to right, back row: Anna Petrovich, Megan Petrovich, Sandy Nelson, Christian Nelson, Sharon Eaton, Stephen Nelson.
In front row: Jonathan and Jeremiah Nelson.