FAITH, FOOD & HEALING: GOD’S PLAN FOR WELLNESS  

“My specialty is taking care of people with chronic disease, but those are my credentials from the world,” Dr. Janie Unruh shares. “My credentials actually come from God.”

In the heart of Kamloops, British Columbia, a remarkable journey unfolds—a journey that seamlessly intertwines physical health
with a whole-hearted commitment to biblical truth. Dr. Janie Unruh, a renowned public health expert whose credentials boast a PhD in public health, a master’s in the same field, and a bachelor’s in nursing, gathers her strength not so much from her academic qualifications and illustrious career as from her connection to God.

Dr. Unruh, alongside her husband, is venturing into the establishment of a health education center—a sanctuary aimed at fostering well-being through an Adventist lens. Here, in this emerging center, lies the core of what Dr. Unruh ardently advocates: the health message.

Often asked, “What is the health message?” Dr. Unruh answers with conviction, “To me, the health message is life. It’s a spiritual matter.”

Her spiritual transformation from Atheism to Adventism underpins this passionate embrace of holistic health. Initially perceiving the health message as strictly physical, her newfound Christian faith illuminated the spiritual dimensions intertwined with bodily wellness.

“I originally connected the health message with physical health,” she recalls, “but soon after I became a Christian and came to
know the Lord, I started to link our health message with a spiritual application and our relationship with God.”

Dr. Unruh’s enlightenment began with the biblical story of Adam and Eve—a simple yet profound narrative underscoring the profundity of the choices we make in nourishing our bodies.

“I started to really dive into the health message when I understood about how Adam and Eve through one bite, one act of disobedience regarding God’s health message,” she explains. “I understood that we are in this mess the way that we are today because of one bite.”

Here, biblical history becomes a compass, guiding both dietary choices and spiritual integrity. The story of Daniel, too, contributed to her awakening. “Daniel was ready to die for the health message,” Dr. Unruh notes, admiring the resolve of this faithful figure in the face of the temptations of opulence.

Her reflections extend to the silent strength in Jesus’ 40 days of fasting—a testament to spiritual discipline and the undeniable link between spirit and sustenance. “I started to understand more about Jesus and His 40 days of fasting. That really touched me deeply,” she reveals, finding inspiration in the Savior’s quiet endurance.

Finally, Dr. Unruh’s contemplation of Nebuchadnezzar—the epitome of excess—serves as a cautionary tale. “Nebuchadnezzar was a man who ate everything.” she observes, recognizing how unchecked indulgence can derail even kings.

In sharing her journey, Dr. Janie Unruh invites others into a dialogue where health transcends our mere physical well-being, becoming a testament to faith and divine obedience. As the health education center becomes a beacon of hope in Kamloops, its foundation built upon principles both ancient and divine, Dr. Unruh continues her calling: to lend knowledge, foster health, and glorify God through the wholistic transformation of body and spirit.

To hear more of the healing strategies Dr. Unruh practices and her health center initiative, simply watch It Is Written Canada this month on CTV or the dozens of networks where It Is Written Canada is aired across Canada and around the world. Or go to iiw.ca or It Is Written Canada’s YouTube videos and click on the program entitled: “Faith, Food & Healing: God’s Plan for Wellness.”