Promoting Wellness in the Church and Community: A Guide for Ministry Leaders

web resource

Description

This web resource guides congregational leaders through the development and implementation of a wellness ministry. Although this guide can help any congregation, the Missouri City Baptist Church PEACE project created this resource specifically for rural African American congregations to provide education and awareness about mental health and wellness. The resource includes steps, resources, and ideas to start and promote a wellness ministry as well as guidelines for evaluating its success.

Features

Sample forms
List of resources

Recommended Audience

Clergy and lay leaders, leaders of rural African American congregations, community outreach ministry leaders

Cost

Free

Practical Applications

Learn how to start a wellness ministry in your congregation to meet the mental, physical, and spiritual health needs of your community.
Try the forms and tools from the guide to engage and educate congregational members.

Updated: March 21, 2025

About the Contributor

Miriam V. Quezada Mendez

Bilingual Associate for Resource Consulting

Miriam V. Quezada Mendez serves in the Center’s Northwest office in Crown Point as the Bilingual Associate for Resource Consulting, working to advance the Center’s mission to strengthen Indiana congregations by providing resources to the communities that make up the diverse tapestry of the Northwest region.

Born in Jalisco, Mexico, Miriam immigrated to the United States as a child and grew up on the East Side of Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Illinois College, graduating with a double major in Communications & Rhetorical Studies and International Studies with a concentration in gender and immigration equity.

Before joining the Center, Miriam served as the Director of Communications at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. In her tenure with the Parliament, Miriam worked closely with faith, community, and nonprofit leaders on outreach, engagement, and interfaith community-building efforts. She is an enthusiastic advocate for youth, Indigenous, and women’s voices in faith and civic spaces.

Miriam is a member of the St. Paul Catholic Church in Valparaiso, where she and her family attend weekly Spanish service.

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