Who We Are
Building Capacity. Bridging Resources.
Faith Community Health Ministry was born in 2020 through a collaboration between Mercy Health and Clark County Combined Health District in Springfield and made possible through grant funds received from the Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation. The program began as a pilot with five churches closest in proximity to the “Engaged Neighborhood,” which was identified by a community housing study as an area of focus (Pleasant to Perrin, S. Limestone Street to Yellow Springs Street).
After the success of the pilot year and the first five churches, the program received a continuance grant, again through the BSMH Foundation, and has grown to a total of 15 churches, focusing on churches with both interest and investment in areas of need in the community. In conjunction with the growth of the participating churches, a Springfield faith-based health ministry collaborative was established for cross-congregational connection. The program also grew in partnership, adding The Nehemiah Foundation as a supporting programmatic partner through Pursuing Wholeness: Mental Health & the Church, as well as the receipt of a faith-based partnership Ohio Department of Health grant.
Our Mission
To help develop health ministries within churches in the local Springfield region.
Our Vision
To bring a holistic approach (mind, body and spirit) to health and healing in our churches and community. Bringing all denominations together while partnering to bring access to care.
Our Team
Tina LeFaive
Director
Program Coordinator, Tina LeFaive, has worked collaboratively with churches, their parishioners and church leadership to identify appropriate candidates from the congregations who could be a Faith Community Nurse or Health Minister. These identified parishioners receive additional training through the grant to provide additional health care support, navigation and capacity directly within the faith community. Tina has also assisted in supporting congregational assessments, as well as facilitating introductions to local nonprofits, health and safety agencies, advocates (like the Springfield Fire Rescue Division) and more.
Growing up, Tina had a passion for helping the poor and underprivileged and felt nursing was an excellent career choice for her. She started her nursing career in oncology but then shifted her focus to community health because it was centered around a holistic approach to health and healing. She completed her master’s in Global Health Ministry at Cedarville University, and it was through this graduate program that she was first introduced to Faith Community Health Ministry.
How It Works
Step 1
The church signs a Memorandum of Understanding to partner with our program.
Step 2
The designated Faith Community Health Minister(s)/Faith Community Nurse(s) complete(s) the Faith Community Nursing Course.
Step 3
The church completes a congregational assessment.
Step 4
The church engages in local resources based on the needs of the congregational assessment.