ST. LOUIS (BP) — GuideStone Financial Resources will once again offer its Wellness Center during the Pastors’ Conference and the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting, June 13–15 in St. Louis. Messengers can visit the exhibit hall during operating hours to take advantage of the Wellness Center’s free services, valued at up to $150.
Additionally, GuideStone employees will be on hand to answer participants’ retirement, investment and insurance questions. Three different seminars will be offered, focusing on retirement benefits, health care reform and younger participants getting started with retirement saving. A representative of the Social Security Administration will also be available to answer questions about Social Security benefits, both for ministers and non-ministers.
Free wellness checks
The Wellness Center at GuideStone’s booth will again offer blood-based screenings for cholesterol and glucose, as well as data to determine body mass index. Participants will receive a personalized report that is suitable to take to their family doctors. On-site physicians and other medical professionals will be available to discuss results.
For best results, it is recommended participants fast the previous 12 hours before visiting the Wellness Center.
Data from participants in last year’s Wellness Center outreach in Columbus, Ohio, indicated 43.8 percent of participating messengers were at moderate to very high risk for cardiovascular disease due to risk factors identified during the screening.
Free seminars
GuideStone will offer three special seminars. GuideStone’s popular “Retirement Income Solutions” session is designed for participants in
GuideStone’s retirement plans who are within five years of their intended retirement date and offers information on retirement income options. A second seminar, “Health Care Reform Impacts Your Church, Too,” will discuss reporting requirements, changes to premium reimbursement arrangements, penalties for non-compliance and additional regulations affecting churches and ministries of all sizes. Additionally, a new seminar aimed at younger investors, “The Struggle is Real: The Solution is Simple,” will discuss financial issues, including student loans, credit card debt, retirement planning and growing families. It will discuss considerations to make now, as well as in the future.
All seminars are free, but as space is limited, preregistration is recommended. Visit GuideStone.org/SBC16 to register.
Mission:Dignity Sunday
Materials for Mission:Dignity Sunday can be ordered by visiting the GuideStone booth in the exhibit hall. Mission:Dignity Sunday is marked across the Southern Baptist Convention on June 26; however, materials are undated to allow churches to spotlight the ministry at another time. Mission:Dignity provides financial support for retired Southern Baptist pastors and their widows in critical financial need. To order materials before Convention, visit MDSunday.org.
Giveaways
The first 500 people to visit the Wellness Center will receive a copy of GuideStone President O.S. Hawkins’ newest book, “VIP: How to Influence with Vision, Integrity, and Purpose.” Limited quantities of two other Hawkins books, “The Jesus Code: 52 Scripture Questions Every Believer Should Answer” and “The James Code: 52 Scripture Principles for Putting Your Faith into Action” will also be given away at the GuideStone booth.
For more information, visit GuideStone.org/SBC16.
