Starter Playbook
Health & Wellness
Host mobile medical clinics, launch walking clubs and grief groups, train Mental Health First Aid teams, and lend medical equipment to prevent health shocks.
What's Inside:
New Hope AME — Parking lot mobile clinic saves 200+ neighbors/year
Sample budget: $1.5K mobile clinic | $1.1K grief group | $450 lending closet
90-day plan: Launch Gospel Walk or host first clinic Saturday
Five Ministry Types You Can Launch
From parking lot clinics to walking clubs and equipment lending closets, these are low-barrier health ministries that prevent financial catastrophe.
1. Mobile Medical & Dental Clinics — The Parking Lot Model
Partner with hospitals or FQHCs to bring mobile medical units to your parking lot. You provide the venue and trust; they provide clinical staff, equipment, and liability insurance. This prevents ER visits and lost wages.
New Hope AME — First-Ring Suburb Model
Facing a "dental desert" with few providers accepting Medicaid, New Hope partnered with a regional hospital system operating a mobile medical van. The church provides the parking lot, volunteers (intake, hospitality), and marketing through pulpit announcements. The hospital meets its community benefit requirements while reducing readmissions.
- Frequency
- Quarterly — 4 events/year serving 100 patients
- Church Cost
- $400/event (coffee, snacks, flyers)
- Hospital Value
- $40k-$60k in-kind (mobile unit, clinical staff, liability)
Economic Impact: One patient, Marcus (45, construction worker), received antibiotics for infected tooth—preventing a $2,500 ER visit and a week of lost wages. Another patient, Clara (grandmother), had medication adjusted—preventing a stroke.
Sample Budget: 4 Quarterly Mobile Clinic Events
| Cost Category | Detail | Annual Cash | In-Kind Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Site Logistics | Traffic cones, signage, bathroom access | $400 | $800 |
| Marketing | Flyers, social media ads | $300 | $1,000 |
| Hospitality | Water, healthy snacks for patients & staff | $600 | $200 |
| Volunteer Labor | 40 hrs/event x 4 events @ $20/hr | $0 | $3,200 |
| Insurance Rider | Special event liability (if needed) | $200 | — |
| Total | $1,500 | $5,200 | |
| Total Program Value: $6,700 | Church Investment: $400/event | |||
Economic Impact: Avoided Costs
- ER Diversion: A non-emergent ER visit costs $1,300-$2,000. Mobile clinic visit costs the system $36-$75. If 20 visits replace ER trips = $25,280 in preserved community wealth.
- Job Loss Prevention: A worker missing 3 days due to dental pain loses $360 (@$15/hr). Resolving the issue on Saturday preserves the income AND job tenure.
- Vocational Pipeline: Volunteers learn HIPAA compliance, data entry, trauma-informed hospitality—creating a path to Community Health Worker (CHW) certification.
2. Grief, Addiction & Recovery Groups — The Sanctuary of Stability
Turn your Wednesday night into a GriefShare or Celebrate Recovery meeting. Unresolved grief and addiction destroy household income. These groups provide the cognitive space necessary for congregants to function at work and avoid relapse.
St. Paul's Community Church — $350k Budget
After noticing a shift in altar call requests from "illness" to "nerves, addiction, and crushing grief," St. Paul's launched a dual-track ministry: GriefShare for the bereaved and a Life Recovery group based on the 12 Steps. They used the Wednesday night Bible Study slot, treating recovery as discipleship.
- Staffing
- 2 lay leaders (retired teacher + man with 10 yrs sobriety)
- Cost Model
- Church subsidized workbooks @ $20/person
- 18-Month Impact
- 3 men regained full-time employment; 1 widow returned to nursing career
Sample Budget: Grief/Recovery Group (Annual)
| Cost Category | Year 1 Startup | Year 2 Recurring |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum Kit (GriefShare/Celebrate Recovery) | $395-$500 | $0 |
| Participant Materials (2 cohorts x 10 people) | $400 | $400 |
| Leader Training (online certification) | $200 | $100 |
| Refreshments (coffee/snacks for 10-week sessions) | $500 | $500 |
| Marketing (bulletin inserts, flyers) | $100 | $100 |
| Total Cash Cost | $1,600 | $1,100 |
| Monthly: ~$100 | Per Participant: $80 | ||
Economic Impact: Relapse Prevention
- Crisis Cost Avoidance: A single DUI or possession charge costs $5,000+ in legal fees. Preventing one relapse pays for the entire ministry budget ($1,600).
- Work Stability: Bereaved employees experience "presenteeism"—physically present but cognitively absent. The group provides offloading space, preserving a $30k/year job = $15,000 in 6-month retention value.
- Vocational Pipeline: Volunteer facilitators gain the hours needed for Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) certification—roles pay $15-$22/hr.
- National Data: Faith-based recovery programs contribute an estimated $316 billion in savings to the US economy annually.
3. Fitness & Movement Ministries — Gospel Aerobics as Disease Management
Launch a Saturday morning Gospel Walk or a Tuesday night Chair Fitness class. Regular physical activity lowers HbA1c levels (diabetes management), reduces medication costs, and keeps seniors mobile enough to avoid assisted living facilities.
Ebenezer Baptist — "Temple Builders" Fitness Ministry
Facing a demographic crisis (60% of active members over age 50, half managing Type 2 diabetes or hypertension), Ebenezer declared "War on High Blood Pressure." They launched Temple Builders: a Saturday morning Gospel Walk in the local park and a Tuesday night Chair Fitness class for seniors using projected YouTube videos.
- Equipment Cost
- $0—used existing fellowship hall & local park
- Leader
- Younger member (former high school athlete) volunteered
- Result
- Participants reduced insulin & BP meds; improved mobility = avoided assisted living costs
Sample Budget: Weekly Fitness Ministry (Annual)
| Cost Category | Detail | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor Stipend | Volunteer OR $30/class | $0-$1,500 |
| Liability Insurance Rider | For fitness activities (essential) | $200-$400 |
| Equipment | Resistance bands, light weights, mats (one-time) | $300 |
| Music Licensing | CCLI/ASCAP upgrade for fitness music | $150 |
| Utilities/Cleaning | Incremental cost (in-kind) | In-Kind |
| Total Annual | $650-$2,350 | |
| Weekly Cost: $12-$45 | ||
Economic Impact: Chronic Disease Management
- Medication Savings: Regular physical activity lowers HbA1c. Reducing insulin dosage saves $50-$200/month out-of-pocket for uninsured members.
- Diabetes Cost: People with diagnosed diabetes incur $16,750/year in medical costs and lose 4.2 excess workdays annually.
- Caregiver Dividend: Seniors staying mobile reduces the burden on working-age children. If a senior can bathe/dress themselves, the daughter doesn't cut work hours—preserving $7,800/year in family labor capacity.
- Vocational Path: Paying for a member to get Zumba or Group Fitness certified ($300) creates a pathway to teach at gyms or start personal training businesses.
4. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) — The Ushers as First Responders
Train your diaconate and usher board in Mental Health First Aid. When someone enters the sanctuary in distress, trained ushers can de-escalate and connect them to care—preventing arrests that trigger legal fees and job loss.
Mt. Zion Baptist — $200k Budget
Facing escalating situations where community members entered the sanctuary shouting or weeping, Mt. Zion viewed this as "Hospitality 2.0." They invested $1,000 to train 10 leaders in MHFA. During a subsequent Sunday service, a young man in a manic state was de-escalated by a trained usher using the ALGEE action plan (Assess, Listen, Give reassurance, Encourage professional help, Encourage self-help). The usher sat with him and contacted his family.
- Training Investment
- $100/leader x 10 leaders = $1,000
- Economic Outcome
- Avoided arrest (bail $500, court fees, job loss due to no-call/no-show) = $5,000 household shock prevented
Implementation Costs: MHFA Training
| Item | Detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Course Fees | $95-$170/person (often discounted for nonprofits) | $95-$170 |
| Train 10 Leaders | One-time investment (valid 3 years) | $1,000-$1,500 |
| Instructor Training | Train-the-trainer model (optional, long-term) | $2,000 |
| Materials | Manuals & reference guides (included) | Included |
| Lunch/Logistics | Food for 8-hour training day | $150 |
| Total: Train 10 Leaders | $1,000-$1,500 | |
Grant Tip: SAMHSA and local behavioral health networks often offer FREE MHFA training to faith leaders.
Economic Impact: Crisis Diversion
- Cost of Criminalization: Arrest → legal defense + bail + fines. Long-term: criminal record bars housing & employment = permanent tax on future earnings.
- Cost of Hospitalization: An inpatient psychiatric stay costs $1,000/day. By de-escalating and referring to outpatient care, the church prevents high-cost crises.
- Vocational Path: MHFA certification is a strong credential for entry-level Behavioral Health Technician roles and a stepping stone to Peer Support Specialist certification.
5. Medical Equipment Lending Closets — Dignity in Recovery
Stock a closet with wheelchairs, walkers, canes, shower chairs, and blood pressure cuffs. Lend them out for free. This prevents families from paying $200/month for wheelchair rentals and allows seniors to age in place.
A medical equipment lending closet operates on the same model as a tool library. Churches often receive donations of equipment from families after a loved one passes or recovers. The church sanitizes, stores, and lends these items to congregants and neighbors at no charge.
- Startup Model
- Donation drive + $200-$500 to purchase essentials
- Ongoing Cost
- $150/year for cleaning supplies & minor repairs
- Economic Value
- Rental wheelchairs = $200/month. Lending prevents this cost.
Sample Budget: Medical Equipment Lending Closet
| Item | Detail | First Year | Recurring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial Inventory | 2 wheelchairs, 3 walkers, 5 canes, shower chair | $500 | — |
| Cleaning Supplies | Disinfectant, wipes (ongoing) | $150 | $150 |
| Minor Repairs | Replacement wheels, tips, etc. | $100 | $100 |
| Shelving/Storage | Secure closet or corner of storage room | $200 | — |
| Total | $950 | $250 | |
Donation Strategy: Most equipment comes from member donations after recovery or loss.
Economic Impact: Aging in Place
- Rental Cost Avoidance: Wheelchair rentals = $200/month. A 3-month recovery = $600 saved per borrower.
- Hospital Discharge: Many seniors are discharged from hospitals with no equipment at home. The lending closet prevents readmissions due to falls.
- Aging in Place: Equipment allows seniors to remain at home rather than move to assisted living ($3,000-$5,000/month).
Your 90-Day Sprint
Health ministries prevent financial catastrophe. Start with one low-barrier play that leverages your existing assets.
Launch a Gospel Walk
Days 1-30: The Captain
- • Find a member who is already active—their job is to GATHER, not train
- • Map a safe, well-lit route (church parking lot or nearby park)
- • Set the day: Saturday mornings at 8am
Days 31-60: Model the Behavior
- • Walk with the Pastor for the first 3 weeks—leaders must model
- • Promote from the pulpit: "Join us for Fellowship & Fitness"
- • Create a WhatsApp group for the walkers
Days 61-90: The Momentum
- • Set a collective goal: "Walking to Jerusalem" (aggregate miles)
- • Celebrate in worship: "This week we walked 127 miles for Jesus!"
- • Invite neighbors—this is Stage 2 outreach
Key Metric:
Miles walked & consistent attendance (not numbers, but retention)
Host Your First Mobile Clinic
Days 1-30: Audit & Ask
- • Identify 2 nurses in your congregation
- • Call the community outreach director at your nearest safety-net hospital or FQHC
- • Ask: "Do you have a mobile unit looking for host sites?"
Days 31-60: Secure the Date
- • Pick a Saturday that doesn't conflict with major church events
- • Secure a $500 budget from the trustee board for "Community Health Outreach"
- • Assign roles: Intake coordinator, greeters, prayer team
Days 61-90: Marketing & Execution
- • Print 500 flyers. Canvas the immediate 4-block radius
- • This is NOT just for members—it's for neighbors (Stage 2 Service)
- • Event day: Coffee, registration, clinic, prayer
Key Metric:
Number of patients seen vs. estimated ER visits diverted
Access detailed guides, budget templates, and partnership toolkits
Ready to Build Your Health Ministry?
Health ministries are Stage 0 economic defense—preventing health shocks that destroy household income and trigger foreclosures.