When it comes to health and wellness, one East Hamilton-based ministry believes in a balanced approach that includes elements of faith, lifestyle changes and modern medicine.
Heartwise Ministries, which was started by Ooltewah resident and cardiologist Dr. James Marcum, is committed to helping people come closer to Christ by addressing their physical health needs.
Dr. James Marcum interviews a guest on Heartwise Ministries' show "The Heart of Health Live." The show is broadcast each week from the ministry's office in East Brainerd."The mission of Heartwise Ministries is to share the gospel with people through meeting their medical needs," said Heartwise Ministries Development and Communication Director Nick Evenson. "There are a lot of basic health principles we take for granted and our whole mission is to remind people of those basic health principles. The only thing we're selling to people is a relationship with Christ. That is paramount to anything else, and there's no pill you can take for that."
One of the main ways the ministry helps people improve their health and spread the gospel is through a locally produced weekly TV show called "The Heart of Health Live." The show, which airs each week at 6 p.m. on the My Family Life Stations that include Comcast cable station 295 or digitally at 51.1 and 6.6, features a guest doctor who discusses a health related topic with Dr. Marcum, then answers questions from local callers.
"We can't answer every question," said Heartwise Ministries Director of Television and Radio Michael Bell. "But we try to make sure we are able to give good solid advice to help people know where to go next and to be more informed with decision making. We also try to keep it very biblically based."
He said show topics have included pain management, men's health issues, diabetes, allergies, natural remedies and many other medical topics.
"The main difference with us and other programs is that we come from a biblical background," said Bell. "We do things like talk about ways to lower medicine intake. We always try to go back to the Bible for the source of truth. If we would follow, the Bible says we would have less diseases."
However, Bell also said it's important not to take that reliance on the Bible too literally.
"We know there's a place for modern medicine," he said. "If you need a stint, [Dr. Marcum] will tell you that you need a stint."
In addition to the show, the ministry also produces a weekly radio show called "Heartwise" that can be heard on more than 400 stations across the nation.
For more information about Heartwise Ministries, to listen to the radio show or watch "The Heart of Health Live," visit www.heartwiseministries.org.