Health professionals at the Family and Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, a nonprofit health ministry run by Dr. Kimberly Azelton, a member of the Lansing church, have been praying for opportunities to connect with the neighboring Lansing community.
The Employee Wellness Day at Waverly High School has become one such opportunity, breaking down barriers and opening doors for meaningful engagement through acts of care and service.
In 2025, the school hosted its first annual Employee Wellness Day, a required in-service designed to support staff well-being. What made the event unique was how it came together. Hilda, a member of the Lansing church who works as a nurse at Waverly High School, felt impressed to connect school administrators with Dr. Azelton and the clinic team. Her initiative opened the door for the clinic, supported by volunteers from local Seventh-day Adventist churches, to participate in the wellness event and provide what many in ministry describe an “entering wedge” through practical service.
The response from school staff was overwhelmingly positive. As a result, Waverly High School invited the clinic and its volunteers to return in 2026.
This year’s event expanded both in scope and impact. Jeremy Hall, Education superintendent for the Michigan Conference, delivered a keynote address titled “Reframing Challenges in Education: From Burnout to Purpose-Driven Resilience.” His message addressed the increasing pressures educators face and offered a hopeful perspective on finding renewed purpose in their work.
Additional breakout sessions focused on practical tools for sustaining personal well-being. Girlie Aguilar, associate superintendent of schools for the Michigan Conference, and Ella Cousins, a retired principal from the Lansing School District and Lansing church member, led sessions on maintaining healthy work-life balance and building resilience in the demanding field of education.
After the presentations, staff members were invited to participate in individualized wellness services. These one-on-one sessions included nutrition coaching, stress management counseling, chair massages, physician consultations, blood pressure screenings, and financial coaching.
Nearly 70 volunteers joined the clinic team to make the day possible. Participants came from several area churches, including Lansing, Lansing Spanish, Bethel, and Holt, with additional volunteers traveling from as far away as Indiana and Cadillac to assist.
In total, the team completed 252 individual wellness appointments, offering encouragement and practical support to more than 200 school employees. For many participants, the personal attention was both unexpected and deeply appreciated.
Several educators shared their reflections following the event:
“These are my angels.” “This was a real wake-up call. It felt more like a conversation and less like someone pointing fingers about what needed to change.” “I’ve never experienced anything like this. It was so personal.”
The impact of the wellness day continues beyond the event itself. Sixty-four individuals requested follow-up appointments, and clinic staff have already begun connecting with them. One Bible study that began after last year’s wellness event is still going strong, and volunteers have noticed that many returning participants seem even more open to continued connection this year.
Through simple acts of compassion and service, doors are opening in a community that had previously been difficult to reach. By meeting practical needs in a respectful and supportive environment, the clinic and supporting churches are building trust and relationships that extend far beyond a single day.
As follow-up conversations continue, volunteers remain grateful for the opportunity to serve this group of educators in Lansing. Those involved ask for continued prayer for the 64 individuals who requested follow-up, that these connections will grow into meaningful relationships with lasting spiritual impact.
If you would like to learn more about the Family and Lifestyle Medicine Clinic, visit familyandlifestylemedicine.org
Brianna Kittleson serves as the Administrative Assistant for the Michigan Conference Communication Department.