Elma Adventist Church opened its doors to neighbors across Grays Harbor County during its first Community Health Fair on Sept. 14, 2025, a day devoted to wellness, discovery and connection. What began as a bold idea became a lived expression of Rom. 15:2: "Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification."
At Community Health Fair, guests explored the Adventist NEWSTART lifestyle principles — nutrition, exercise, water, sunshine, temperance, air, rest and trust in God — while meeting local health care providers.
Families received practical guidance for healthier living, sampled plant-based foods and benefited from free screenings and wellness resources. Children enjoyed face painting, balloon art, bounce houses and prizes, while parents met staff from the local Adventist school, strengthening the bond between church, school and community.
The dream took shape months earlier during a church board meeting when one member proposed hosting a health fair. For a congregation of about 45 regular attendees, the scope felt daunting, but faith replaced hesitation with hope.
Momentum grew at Washington Conference Camp Meeting when Alvaro Correa, Elma Church pastor, and James Franklin, one of the event organizers, presented the concept at Young Adult Shark Tank. Their project earned first place and seed funding, turning aspiration into action and giving Elma Church a practical path forward.
As the date neared, JoDee Norton, newly-baptized Elma Church member, stepped forward to coordinate logistics. Her organization and enthusiasm energized the team, and more than 60 volunteers — members, family, friends and neighbors — joined the effort. A local radio interview spread the word and donations flowed in from area businesses eager to bless their community.
More than 70 guests came to the event. Interactions at screening tables and children’s stations opened doors to new friendships and faith conversations. “We made wonderful new connections and brought visibility to our small church,” shared Rob Norton, Elma Church member. “Great things are possible with God’s help.”
For Elma Church, the fair marked a beginning rather than a conclusion. Building on the momentum, members prepared for an Exploring Prophecy series with Jim Stevens in the weeks that followed. The same prayerful teamwork that brought the health fair to life carried into evangelism, as members invited guests and served together. The series averaged more than 40 attendees and resulted in five baptisms, a visible testimony of God’s blessing.
Looking ahead, members plan to keep serving neighbors through health education, prayer and relationship-centered follow-up groups, taking simple steps that continue turning compassion into connection.
Community members from Elma and beyond create new connections with the church through this outreach event.
Volunteers set up various stations for each of the NEWSTART lifestyle principles.
Children enjoy the face painting station.
A group of joyful volunteers makes the health fair possible.
