“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”    3 John 1:2

Gerson lives in Curitiba, Brazil, with his wife and children. Running used to be one of his favorite hobbies. However, over time, he gradually gave up running and other forms of exercise, becoming completely sedentary.

Nine years passed before he decided to register for a 5K running event. In his forties, he thought he could still perform well in the race. To his surprise, however, he struggled and crossed the finish line behind a 69-year-old man. The experience left him feeling embarrassed and made him realize how much his physical condition had changed.

One evening, as he was preparing to go out for his wife’s birthday dinner, he told her and their daughter, “I don’t feel well.” Moments later, he collapsed at the restaurant. He recalls that his tongue rolled back and his arms began to tingle. His daughter screamed in fear, “My dad is going to die! My dad is going to die!”

Gerson was taken to the doctor, where he received a serious wake-up call. The doctor told him, “Pastor, you have suffered severe stress. You need to go home and change your lifestyle. You need to live the message you preach.”

That conversation became a turning point in Pastor Gerson’s life. He decided to make a complete lifestyle change by embracing the eight natural remedies, often remembered by the acronym NEW START:

N – Nutrition

E – Exercise

W – Water

S – Sunlight

T – Temperance

A – Air (pure air)

R – Rest

T – Trust in God

Pastor Gerson made a 180-degree turn in his lifestyle, and the results were remarkable. He rediscovered his desire to live a longer, healthier life. He began sleeping better, working more effectively, and thinking more clearly. His transformation also began to influence his family, his church, and the surrounding community. Inspired by his example, many people decided to take better care of the wonderful gift God has given us: our bodies.

May Pastor Gerson’s testimony be a blessing and a reminder that caring for our bodies is an essential part of being good stewards of God’s gifts. Let us honor our Creator by making wise choices, embracing a healthy lifestyle, and remembering that our physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are all important to Him.

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By Tony Correa, Texas Conference of Seventh-day Adventists Planned Giving & Trust Services trust officer for North Texas and stewardship coordinator. His article originally appeared in the November 2026 Stewardship monthly e-newsletter. Email stewardship@txsda.org to be added to the newsletter email list.