DALLAS – GuideStone Financial Resources will once again offer a free wellness screening to messengers and guests at the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting and Pastor’s Conference, June 10-12 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
The first 500 people screened will receive a free copy of GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins’ book, The Joshua Code: 52 Scripture Verses Every Believer Should Know.
Last year, almost 1,200 messengers and their guests had the free wellness screening, which includes measuring cholesterol and glucose levels. Among those participating was Peggy Hatley, along with her husband Tom Hatley, who is the pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Rogers, Arkansas. During the 2012 meeting in New Orleans, Peggy Hatley learned she was diabetic.
“We make a point every year at convention to get a wellness screening,” Hatley said. “It’s normally to keep a watch on our cholesterol to make sure it’s not too high.”
Hatley only had to wait a few minutes for the results.
“My blood sugar level was 155,” she said. “They said, ‘This is too high. We want you to fast tonight and come back first thing in the morning and we’ll take it again.’”
The next morning her fasting glucose level was 165. Anything over 100 is considered cause for concern.
Diabetes runs in Hatley’s family, so she knew she needed to take things seriously. After returning home to Rogers, she visited with her doctor whose own tests confirmed the results she received at the booth. Hatley said the doctor gave her the choice of treating her diabetes with diet and lifestyle changes, or by adding medicine to her life. She chose to make lifestyle changes.
After meeting with a dietician, she limits herself to no more than 30 grams of carbohydrates per meal. By eating right and monitoring her blood sugar daily, she has lost 25 pounds since August and has managed to keep her blood sugar within the range her doctor prescribed. Hatley said she reads labels carefully at the grocery store and does not bring unhealthy foods into her home anymore. She is committed to making permanent lifestyle changes.
“I realized I needed to make my body a whole lot better,” Hatley said. “I’m 60 years old. I want the things I’m called to do for the Lord to matter, and if I’m not well, I won’t be able to serve Him effectively.”
She encourages others coming to the convention to take advantage of the free screening.
“It’s such a great ministry GuideStone offers,” she said. “I’m going to the booth this year to tell the people working there how grateful I am for the screening.”
The GuideStone Wellness Center will be open each morning at 8 a.m. For best results, it is recommended that participants fast for 12 hours prior to being screened.