Mission, Plans, and Objectives

Health Ministry Foundation, Inc. (hereafter, HMF) was incorporated July 31, 1973 as a nonprofit public benefit corporation under the laws of the State of California. It is organized for charitable and educational purposes, and operates as a lay religious organization, complimenting the work and mission of the Seventh-day Adventist (hereafter, SDA) Church. As stated in our Bylaws, "This Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation and is not organized for the private gain of any person. It is for public and charitable purposes. The charitable purposes shall include conducting a facility or facilities where persons can be educated in and for Christian ministry to persons with spiritual, social, physical or emotional problems."

 

Non-Profit Documentation

Copies are available of the Federal and State letters of determination of our tax-exempt status as an organization described in Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).

 

Affiliation

HMF has been an organizational member of the Adventist-Laymen's Services and Industries, Inc. since 1993.

 

Source of Income and Financial Records

HMF operates on donations and on sales of published inventory. Financial statements are available for the corporation.

 

Board of Directors

Edgar Vyhmeister, M.D., President

Address:  10035 Vine Spring Rd, Sonora, CA 95370

Occupation:  Physician

Ray Foster, M.D., Vice President

Address:  P O Box 19, Hermosa SD 57744-0019

Occupation:  Physician

Fred Bischoff, M.D., Secretary and Acting Treasurer

Address:  P O Box 672, Loma Linda, CA 92354

Occupation:  Physician

Frances Foster, R. N.

Address: P O Box 19, Hermosa SD 57744-0019

Occupation:  Nurse

Todd Guthrie, M.D.

Address: 1434 Ayer Lane, Mt Shasta CA 96067

Occupation:  Physician

John Scharffenberg, M.D.

Address:  60005 Cascadel Rd, North Fork, CA 93643

Occupation:  Physician

Standing Committees (per current Bylaws)

1. Executive

The HMF board is currently functioning as the Executive Committee.

 

2. Preventive Care Center

HMF adopted The Herghelia Health and Education Center (HHEC) in Romania in December of 1993 as one of its health projects, and since then we have received substantial funds for that purpose. HHEC is a Romanian nonprofit organization (Centrul de Sanatate si Medicina Preventiva Association) which opened the summer of 1996, and is conducting preventive medicine outpatient and inpatient programs, and a city health food store. HHEC has affiliation with the SDA church in Romania, with Outpost Centers International of Apison, TN, and with Loma Linda University of Loma Linda, CA. In January of 1999 HHEC began an educational program to train college-age and older young people in medical missionary work. In September of 2004 HHEC opened an elementary school.

 

3. Pisgah Fellowship

Pisgah Fellowship comprises the lectures and seminars conducted by HMF directors and other selected speakers. Most directors are active in public speaking on health, social, and spiritual topics of general and specific interest.

 

4. Country Educational Program

From 1982 through 1988, HMF operated a rural elementary school under the name of Oak Haven School. In 1986-87 it had 17 pupils covering grades 4-9, with a supporting constituency of 32. At present, this committee is inactive.

 

Other Ministries

1. Publishing Committee (Adventist Pioneer Library)

http://www.aplib.org/

The Adventist Pioneer Library (APL) began work as a committee under HMF in 1988, and has operated as a Fictitious Business Name of HMF since 1992. Its purpose is to republish early SDA pioneer writings and history, including a CD-ROM collection that is a virtual library, a periodical Lest We Forget, and a book authored by an SDA pioneer recalling the Bible and historical roots of the church, The Great Second Advent Movement. In 2005 APL partnered with the Ellen G. White Estate to produce the third edition of its CD-ROM.

 

2. Adventist Medical Evangelism Network

http://www.amensda.org/

The Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN) began its work under HMF in 2005, operating as a Fictitious Business Name of HMF. AMEN exists to motivate, train, and equip Seventh-day Adventist physicians and dentists to become effective medical evangelists that will have an essential role as the right arm of the ministry in taking the Òeverlasting gospelÓ (Rev 14:6-12) to the entire world in these last hours of earthÕs history. AMEN's long-range plan is to form its own non-profit corporation.

 

3. Hands-on Medical Massage School Scholarship and Mission Fund

http://www.handsonmedicalmassage.com/

In 2006 HMF opened a Fund to support the charitable outreach of the for-profit organization, Hands-on Medical Massage School. This assistance includes sponsorship of worthy students and of mission outreach and trips.

 

4. Fourth Angel

http://fourthangelsloudcry.org/

Fourth Angel (FA) began its work under HMF in 2006, operating as a Fictitious Business Name of HMF. FA's activities include medical ministry, music ministry, and publications.

 

5. Good News Evangelism Training

Good News Evangelism Training (GNET) began its work as a subsidiary of HMF in 2006. Its mission is to train individuals in methods of evangelism, including health outreach. GNET plans to operate as a Fictitious Business Name of HMF, and eventually form its own non-profit corporation.

 

6. Freedom From Fear

http://www.freedomfromfear2006.org/

Freedom From Fear (FFF) began its work as a ministry of HMF in 2006. It has successfully conducted an evangelistic campaign in the San Bernardino, California, area, which included health expos. It has plans to continue to facilitate evangelistic events.

 

7. Southern California Institute

In 2007 the development of the Southern California Institute (SCI) became a ministry of HMF. SCI plans to provide facilities where local supportive Adventists can work together to further health, evangelistic, and educational work. This institute would conduct "business-ministries," operate clinical settings for intensive lifestyle medicine, provide self-supporting educational options to the SDA students and parents in the Inland Empire, and train Bible workers and medical missionaries. This ministry may develop as our local Preventive Care Center standing committee.

 

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