The large tent was pitched. The pot of Roma was brewed and waiting. The cooks for the complimentary vegan breakfast or lunch were ready. At 9 a.m. on March 14, more than 100 people stood waiting to enter the first Health Expo sponsored by the Lamont Hispanic Adventist Church.

Pastor Hector Torres and his wife, Rosany, brought the idea to the congregation. The only medical professionals were two nurses, but that did not stop the plans. More than 130 members volunteered to be trained as medical missionaries. "Many people would shy back for lack of professionals, but it really can be done very simply," explains Rosany.

There were eight stations — one for each of the natural health principles. Sunshine, the welcome booth, offered blood pressure screening. The fresh air booth had the peak flow meter test. At the exercise booth, participants could try the Harvard step test. Hydrotherapy demonstrations were given at the water booth. At temperance, the body fat percentage scale was available, as well as weight and height.

Nutrition was loaded with beautiful and delicious samples and free glucose testing. The rest booth offered five-minute back massages. And trust in God, manned by Pastor Torres and the visitors’ Sabbath school leaders, offered literature and flyers for the upcoming evangelistic series. A natural remedies booth and a computer health-age assessment rounded out the free services.

Members spent one month in training. Literature from Outpost Centers Inc. (OCI) was translated into Spanish. "The Lord blessed our simple efforts," Rosany says. "Just about everyone came together and did a marvelous job."

A questionnaire provided information and needs from the community. More than 70 people signed up for a vegan cooking school. Health lectures began on Wednesday nights and other outreaches will be planned to keep in touch with their new friends.

"I’ve seen it work in other places like Ecuador and also around the United States," says Pastor Torres. The event was advertised in newspapers, radio, door-to-door and on television. The turnout of more than 250 exceeded expectations.

"We just want to follow what God says that the medical missionary is the entering wedge. It breaks down the prejudice against the truth. It shows that God cares for them — not only spiritually, but physically," Pastor Torres explains.

The Torres family is ready to help other churches sponsor health expos. Contact them at turningtheheart@aol.com. A "How To" video is available. They also recommend reading the "Christian Service" chapter in Ellen White’s Medical Missionary Work.