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Event Information:

• Division of FaithHealth Ministries

  The Center for Congregational Health was founded in 1992 as part of the Division of Pastoral Care at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. In 2010, the Division was renamed FaithHealth Ministries, and in July 2012, Dr. Gary Gunderson became the new Vice President of this Division. Dr. Gunderson was brought to the Medical Center to design and implement a new model for connecting faith communities to the many and varied healthcare assets of their local community.

  This is a movement that has been part of Gary’s heart for many years. He became involved in public health by working with former President Jimmy Carter in Atlanta, directing the Interfaith Health Program at The Carter Center. He then became the senior vice president of the Faith and Health Division of Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare in Memphis, TN., where he developed a new model of congregational health that became widely known as the Memphis Model. In one of his books he writes:

  “The faith and health movement must take off primarily from the faith structures, or it will not move at all.” [Gunderson, Deeply Woven Roots, Fortress Press, MN, 1997, p.15]

  The restructured Division has four collaborative departments that make up the FaithHealth Movement:

  • FaithHealth Innovations: what we need to know and why we need to know it – the research and development arm.
  • FaithHealth Education: what we need to learn and how we learn it – the education and training arm.
  • FaithHealth Clinical Care: what clinical competencies we need and how we integrate them into our everyday work in the medical center – the chaplaincy, pastoral education, and mental health (CareNet) arm.
  • FaithHealthNC: what we need to do to connect faith communities to the available healthcare assets in their community, and how we do it – the establishment of a North Carolina state-wide network of care giving.

  As with any “movement,” things consistently change, emerge and develop. Just like congregations, the transformation is not complete – and the transition always will be in motion.

  Perhaps what will be of most interest to congregations is what is being done in FaithHealthNC under the direction of Dr. Chris Gambill. Chris has been an integral part of the Center for Congregational Health ministries almost since its founding. What you will find in his new work is another powerful way for local congregations to be the missional church. Your inquiries are most welcome, and Chris can be reached at:

  Email:
  Phone: 336-716-9722

  The Center for Congregational Health continues to be an important component of this movement, and this website informs you of the ways the Center will continue to assist faith communities, lay leaders and clergy as they seek to open doors to hope and wholeness.