Dear friends,
God’s vision for end-time Adventist ministries to the world includes medical missionary work spreading globally like rivers of fire, with sanitariums serving as outpost centers near the world’s major cities. The Adventist sanitarium, established as a God-given, evidence-based alternative to the anecdotal and non-evidence-based hospitals of the 19th century, continues to fulfill its purpose today. Although these institutions may now go by different names, they still serve a vital role in providing highly effective, whole-person care for chronic lifestyle-related diseases.
There is an unprecedented interest in establishing sanitariums worldwide, particularly in secular Europe, coming from both church leaders and laypeople alike. God-inspired counsel urges us to think strategically and make comprehensive plans in His work, according to the riches found in Christ. In partnership with OCI and the General Conference Health Department, we have developed the Adventist Sanitarium System Accelerator (ASSA) , a kind of benevolent Adventist sanitarium franchise designed to inform, guide, and accelerate the establishment of sanitariums globally. While space does not allow for a full description of ASSA, it is enough to say that it has four key components, one of which is at the heart of the system: training. The annual two-week training sessions at Herghelia began in 2023 with six prospective projects, 11 participants from three continents, and continued into 2024 with nine projects and 19 participants from four continents. This year, Dr. Zeno joined the Herghelia team in person, and Dr. Viriato Ferreira (our EUD Health Department leader) participated via Zoom. Trainees had the unique opportunity to observe how we organize an 11-day session from start to finish. The most significant aspect of this training has been the interaction between trainees and the department leaders at Herghelia. These exchanges have been especially meaningful, as they went beyond simply sharing information. Trainees were able to benefit from the more than 30 years of experience and expertise of our leaders through personal, heart-to-heart, and mind-to-mind interactions.
Please read the heartfelt reports of several participants in the “How to Start, Develop, and Manage a Sanitarium in the 21st Century” course, held at Herghelia in the summer of 2024.
For those of you who want to know more about Adventist Sanitarium System Accelerator you may access the following link: https://herghelia.org/assa-updates/ Please share these information with wisdom and discretion only for those who need these information, and direct them to dr. Zeno Charles Marcel or dr. Nicolae Dan for orientation.
Newsletter XVIII Summary
God’s vision for end-time Adventist ministries to the world includes medical missionary work spreading globally like rivers of fire, with Sanitariums serving as outpost centers near the world’s major cities.
The wellness center management training at Herghelia was an incredibly enriching and deeply insightful experience. The program stood out for its multifaceted approach to wellness center operations, offering teachings from three distinct perspectives.
Prior to the course being advertised, I had been making enquiries about attending an Adventist lifestyle centre in Europe, for a chance to restore my health after a difficult year at work and in my personal life. When the opportunity to attend this training was advertised, I did not hesitate to apply.
The time I spent in Herghelia was very inspiring. We met very dedicated brothers and sisters there. They all worked passionately with each of us on every one of our projects, helping us to find suitable approaches to fit our specific needs, according to the culture of our country.
We knew the Lord wanted us to complement our existing medical missionary training school with a lifestyle center. What we didn’t know was how to start this institution. We had in mind something of a professional standard and one that would not “put the Lord to shame”.
I didn’t know what to expect from this training when I first heard God’s call to enroll. However, I can testify to how He made everything possible for me to be here. Tomorrow, I will leave this place feeling fully inspired and equipped with a wealth of new knowledge and ideas, and with the joy of having met so many wonderful people.
From the moment I arrived at Herghelia, I was awed by the breathtaking view and the tranquil landscape of the place. However, what truly left an indelible impression on my heart was the exceptional care and kindness displayed by the dedicated team of professionals that work there.
I would like to thank Herghelia for the training we’ve had. I’ve learned a lot of important things about the opening of a Lifestyle Center.
In my opinion, the lifestyle center establishment training was very good and very enriching. The different speakers explained the topics covered very well. I felt though, that it was too short. Two more days added to it would have been perfect.
The recent training course on how to open a lifestyle centre, was intense. The presenters shared with us all the elements that helped them achieve their goal of having a lifestyle centre in their area. But they also shared with us the failures along the way and explained the reason for these failures.
As we are preparing to start a health centre, a medical missionary school and a city center in the Netherlands, somebody advised us to consider the training Herghelia offers on how to manage a lifestyle centre in the 21st century. I did that, and I can say that this was an amazing experience.
The training at Herghelia was an unexpected blessing for me, as I hadn’t planned on diving into any serious project right away. However, through my interactions with fellow trainees, the Lord quickly revealed the importance of engaging deeply with the topics presented, for my spiritual journey.
I really appreciated the training we’ve had in Herghelia, from many points of view.
First of all, I think it was challenging as far as our beliefs. For instance, one of the case studies presented for discussion in one of our classes was: If a future SDA client in our health center, aware that he might need a cardiac valve replacement soon and also knowing that the new valve comes from pig, is asking our advice about doing this surgery, what should be our response?
I really appreciated the diversity of the speakers in this training course, and also their vast experience. They were able to share not only their theoretical knowledge but also their practical experience.
The course that I had the honour of attending in Herghelia was amazing! It was very educational, expanding my understanding on medical missionary work in a Sanitarium setting. The picture became clearer and more understandable.
During my training in Herghelia I had a roommate that lives somewhere up in the Romanian mountains. Once, he had to go back home to tend to an emergency, and he brought back some giant carrots and some little white peppers that were very sweet. I loved talking with him.
The training I received in Herghelia was very inspiring. I discovered here a structure that beautifully combines God’s love, compassion, special care and humility. It showed me that God’s laws are not only capable of preventing illness, but also of relieving pain and improving overall physical and mental health. If I had to choose only 2 most important points of this training, these would be:
I learned a lot of spiritual lessons as far as mission is concerned while I was attending Eden Valley Medical Missionary School and lately during training at Lisheleo Clinic and Holicare Sanitarium in Kenya. At the end of my internship there, I received a message from the school’s administrator in Eden Valley.
Please pray for and support the Sanitarium Global Movement. We claim the following precious promise that the Lord will inspire, lead and protect each particular project started according with His plans: “The Lord has presented matters to me again and again, and given me instructions to say that God Himself is Ruler and Counselor and Guardian of every Sanitarium that shall be established”. Ellen G. White Letter 180, 1901
We want to establish a Worthy Students Fund to help prospective future Sanitarium leaders attend the annual “How to start and manage Sanitariums in the XXI Century” and cover part of the funds related to the production of a Loma Linda University Certificate online course in this field. We are working with LLU to produce such a course to be available to the SDA Church at large.
HERGHELIA – THE MOST URGENT NEEDS
- Worthy student fund for “How to start and manage Sanitariums in the XXI Century” – $5000
- Certificate online course on “How to start and manage Sanitariums in the XXI Century” – $2000
- Medical Missionary Nursing School – Reframing the Medical Missionary Training Program – $25,000
We are getting close to final accreditation and adding an English program.
- Extension of the Lifestyle Center – $1,000,000
Right now we are working with an architect to fine tune the architectural draft.
Contact person: Valentina Dan
Phone: +40-748-118-084
E-mail: valentinadan1964@yahoo.com
Cont: RO02RNCB0193015969490004
SWIFT CODE: RNCBROBU
BCR Central, Tg. Mureș