The first of its kind in the Lake Union, the Niles Philadelphia SDA Church brings mobile mental wellness directly to the streets.
Mental Health Issues have exploded around the world, but especially in the United States of America, over the past several years. They were especially heightened during the ‘COVID-19’ Pandemic. It was during the beginnings of the aftermath of this devastating time (2023), that the North American Division communicated to the Union Conferences that they were looking to provide funding for unique and relevant outreach programs.
This prompted a call for proposals from the Lake Union Conference to its constituent conference leaders, who disseminated this information to their key stakeholders. Hearing about this opportunity, Sis. Ramona Minisee, and Dr. Karen Allen, members of the Niles Philadelphia SDA Church, in Niles Michigan developed a program focused on providing mobile mental health support, along with spiritual connection to citizens in Niles, MI
The title of the program as chosen by the Niles Philadelphia SDA Church is: The NPSDA Mobile Mental Wellness Ministry. It will consist of driving a 25ft RV throughout the city of Niles providing ‘Mental Health First Aid’ (MHFA). It has been approved by the City of Niles Community Development Officer – Mrs. Ann Young, and the Niles City Council. And it was dedicated by the Lake Union and Lake Region SDA Conference Officials in an amazing church service and ceremony on December 6, 2025 (see pictures below).
The NPSDA Mobile Mental Wellness ministry will be out in the community multiple times during the week, and MHFA will be provided by licensed social workers, psychologists and nurses. In addition, all will be trained and certified as MHFA counselors through a program offered by the state of Michigan. In addition to receiving MHFA, each client will receive information on the ‘Eight Natural Laws of Health’ using the ‘CREATION HEALTH’ model; either Steps to Christ or The Great Controversy, along with a list of community resources to support them. They will be recipients of personal prayer with the Pastors – if they so choose – before they leave.
The dedication was supported by all of the above donating organizations, as we listened to a wonderful sermon from Elder Ken Denslow about our role as ‘Inn Keepers’ from the Good Samaritan story in the Bible. He delineated the critical value of this ministry in doing this and showing love to the community through the Mobile Mental Wellness Ministry. This was followed by a ‘Ribbon-cutting’ for the RV.
According to Elder Carmelo Mercado who has been General Vice President of the Lake Union Conference for decades, this ministry is the first of its kind in the Lake Union. And he is engaging in future visioning with Elder Karen Allen regarding its use for Immigrant populations.
When Dr. Karen Allen met with the Niles Community Program Development Director Ann Young, Ann shared with her that two years ago when she came to her job she spoke with the Chief of Police regarding a need for mental health support, but they had no idea how to bring those resources there. However, she was amazed to hear that it was two years ago when Dr. Allen and Sis. Minisee had the vision and wrote the grant for this ministry. It was exciting to see how the Holy Spirit had given the vision for the ministry at the same time He had shared the need for the ministry.
The Niles Philadelphia SDA church, thanks God for using them to bless others. The awesome and experienced counselors/providers that will be working with the clients in the RV include: Spencer Carter, LCSW; Dr. Desi Davis, LCSW; Margaret Howell, LCSW; Ruth Hood, LCSW; Gail White, LCSW; Lavoide Wilson, Behavioral and Family Therapist; Dr. Nadine Isaac-Denis, Licensed Psychologist, and Dr. Karen Allen, RN. Our drivers and riders for this ministry will include: Pastor Earl Baldwin, Sr.; Pastor John Hood, Elder Wilbur Minisee, Sis. Ramona Minisee and Deacon Mark Hogue.
These are Holy Spirit-filled individuals who are volunteering to participate in this amazing outreach/evangelistic work. Please pray for the Mental Wellness Ministry, the above individuals, and the Niles Philadelphia SDA Church as they seek to do God’s Will.
