Benjamin F. Reaves DMin

Dr. Benjamin Reaves, serves as vice president of mission and ministries for Adventist Health System, and is responsible for helping enhance the mission priority and performance of the corporation.

Dr. Reaves previously served as general field secretary for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Prior to that, he served as president of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama for 11 years. He also formerly served as chairman of the Department of Religion and Theology at Oakwood College, professor of preaching and urban ministry at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, campus pastor for college youth at Andrews University and pastored for 11 years in the Lake Region Conference.

Reaves is an ordained minister in the Seventh-day Adventist Church and holds a doctorate of ministry in church and society from Chicago Theological Seminary, a master’s degree in church history and a master of divinity in practical theology from Andrews University, and a bachelor of arts in theology from Oakwood College. He has served as Chairman of the Members of the United Negro College Fund, and vice-chair of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education. 

Dr Reaves has a deep commitment to outreach and health ministry.  For our new essay series entitled, "What is your vision of health mission?", Dr Reaves addresses "faith-based healthcare" and the Adventist Health System.

"My Vision of Health Mission" 

My thoughts on Health Ministry begin with scripture, for the Bible credits the origin of human life, and of the earth that we inhabit, to the purposeful, creative intent of God. The very first book of the Bible records that God created man and woman in his own image, blessed them, and commissioned them to care for the earth. When creation was complete, God said that it was “very good”.

I feel that “the image of God” is an expression of those characteristics that make human beings unique--that set us apart from all other creatures. And God’s original intent was that we should enjoy healthy, vibrant lives, enabling us to develop our unique gifts and abilities to the fullest.

With that in mind Adventist Healthcare should see success on three different levels. It is success when we provide professional quality healthcare. It is success to create an overt Christian environment and have patients and families discover peace and hope in Jesus Christ.  And it is also success whenever patients and staff find the Adventist lifestyle and Church attractive enough to choose to be part of it.

The fact that more people enter Adventist Healthcare facilities than any other Adventist-owned/operated facilities compels the continuation of a healthcare ministry in which Adventists take seriously the words of Jesus, "Freely ye have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:8), and the words in His Olivet sermon: "I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me water; I was a stranger and you invited me into your homes; naked and you clothed me; sick and in prison, and you visited me" (Matthew 25:35, 36 LB). Appropriately then, Adventist healthcare has portrayed itself as continuing "the healing ministry of Christ." in the context of a rich healthcare heritage sponsored by the Adventist church for a period of nearly 150 years; with a commitment to prevention and wellness, the facilitation of recovery from sickness, and a tender care of the dying, all in an intentionally Christian environment in which we show God's character of love.

I am honored that Adventist Health System is a “faith-based” healthcare company.  To say that means a number of things.  It means that this organization is governed by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a Christian denomination with over 15 million members worldwide.  The term “faith-based” has historical significance as well. The healthcare ministry of the Adventist Church began in 1865 in a seven-room farmhouse in Battle Creek, Michigan.  The faith of those pioneer founders has been fulfilled as Adventist hospitals and clinics today circle the globe.

But most significantly, “faith-based” means that we believe that faith in God has healing efficacy. Today, physicians and employees deliver state-of-the-art medical care in AHS hospitals. The work of these dedicated professionals is supported by modern facilities and technology for the diagnosis and treatment of disease. This combination of the best available medical care, enhanced by abiding trust in God, continues the healing ministry of Christ.

Benjamin F. Reaves, DMin