The Church as a Place of Healing: The Intersection of Faith and Health
By: Mikailie Caulder

In rural Alabama, churches have long been central to the lives of their congregants, not just as places of worship but as spaces of guidance, support, and community. For many, faith is the foundation of daily life. Yet, in communities where healthcare access is limited and chronic illness is widespread, conversations about wellness don’t always make it to the podium. But what if the church, a place of healing for the soul, could also be a place of healing for the body?

Recognizing this gap, the Healthy Temple Initiative was created to bring health education into faith spaces where trust runs deep. Led by Kate Bouchillon, AmeriCorps VISTA for the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative, the program engages pastors, church leaders, and health ambassadors in bridging the gap between faith and wellness. “We knew that churches have such a big influence on their communities when it comes to wellness,” Bouchillon explains. “It’s something people can relate to and know is an important part of their lives.” By engaging with faith leaders and congregations, the program aims to provide education and resources to address pressing health concerns while honoring spiritual values that shape these communities.

The Healthy Temple Initiative is grounded in a simple yet powerful belief: the body is a temple, and caring for it is an act of faith. With a focus on holistic well-being, the program aims to partner with churches to educate and empower individuals to make healthier choices and to access Auburn University’s new healthcare options. “It’s rooted in the belief that our bodies are temples, and we need to treat them as such,” Bouchillon says. Mary Jackson, a longtime nurse and faith leader, has spent decades serving her community through both medical and spiritual guidance. “Our body is a temple of the Lord,” Jackson explains, “If I can make my body good, I can receive the work of God better.”

Pastors and church leaders play a crucial role in the Healthy Temple Initiative. Their influence extends beyond Sunday sermons, shaping community values and behaviors. The program recognizes this unique ability to inspire change and works to equip faith leaders with the tools to support health and wellness within their congregations. “Faith leaders are a huge pillar of guidance and support in their communities,” Bouchillon notes. “They have this unique ability to inspire change, and we want to work alongside these church leaders.”

A key aspect of the program is ensuring that health information is both medically accurate and aligned with faith-based values. Jackson explains, “I’ve been in ministry over 30 something years, and I’ve been in nursing over 30 something years. I have to educate people about what’s good for your body because we must treat it as a gift from God.” As Bouchillon notes, “The goal is to bring factual and evidence-based information to these congregations. A lot of it is empowerment and giving people that individual impact.” By framing wellness as an extension of faith, congregants will feel more connected to their health journey in a meaningful way.

While the response to the Healthy Temple Initiative has been positive, the program has faced challenges, particularly in outreach and communication. Reaching congregations in rural areas is not always straightforward. “Communication is always a challenge,” Bouchillon shares. “Invitations were sent to 50 churches in rural Alabama. Eight invitations were returned due to incorrect addresses online. It’s about navigating how to effectively reach and connect with people.” Jackson highlights the importance of persistence in outreach and communication efforts. “We need to keep reaching out and making sure we continue to make ourselves accessible. There’s a church everywhere you look, we just scratched the surface with churches [involved] right now.”

Despite these obstacles, the trust already established between churches and their communities has been a significant advantage. Strong relationships with pastors have helped open doors and create a network of support that strengthens the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative as a whole. “It would not be as successful if we didn’t have pastor connections within the community that we’ve built previously based on trust,” Bouchillon added.

The long-term vision for the Healthy Temple Initiative is to deepen its presence within faith communities by offering direct healthcare services and increasing engagement from church representatives. Bouchillon explains, “My goal right now is to have church visits where individuals get the care they need. We envision one day providing health education, screenings, or some form of healthcare related to their needs at churches. We will come to them.” Additionally, the program aims to have a representative from each participating church attend rural health ambassador meetings, ensuring that congregations remain informed and actively involved.

Jackson emphasizes the importance of this faith-based approach. “There’s a scripture in the Bible that talks about His desire that we prosper and be in health. So, if the Lord desires that we prosper and be in health, you can see that the [Auburn University Rural] Health Initiative goes hand in hand.” Through education, outreach, and faith-driven motivation, the Healthy Temple Initiative seeks to create lasting change in rural communities by making health a shared, spiritual responsibility.

For Bouchillon, the Healthy Temple Initiative is more than just a program, it’s a deeply personal mission. “I think faith and wellness are very intertwined. If it wasn’t for my relationship with God, my physical and mental health would not be the same,” she shares. “I want to spread this initiative so people can live their full lives by having healthy minds, healthy bodies, and healthy spirits.” Jackson echoes this sentiment, emphasizing personal responsibility in faith-driven wellness. “You gotta keep the temple. It causes me to think that hey, I need to work on me. It gives me an opportunity to keep myself in reasonable health and strength so I can still do my spiritual stuff.” She adds that “you have to have strength and stamina when doing the Lord’s work.” This new program stands as a testament to the power of faith-driven advocacy, proving that when communities come together with a shared mission, true transformation occurs.