Church encourages parishioners to see a doctor Options

[Spectatrix]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/0...r.ap/index.html

After the fourth death in a week, Keith Troy decided enough was enough.

Pastor Keith Troy says the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church will help men who can't afford to see a doctor.

Midway through Sunday services, he looked out at his congregation and asked all the men to rise. Then he asked: Would the deacons and associate ministers please assemble in the aisles with paper and pencil? Would every man write down his name and a phone number where he could be reached?

Too many church men were dying of preventable illnesses related to poor health, Troy told the congregation at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church, a predominantly black church of about 4,500 members, including about 900 adult men.

Their pastor of 24 years issued a simple order: Every man in the congregation will see a doctor in the next three months. If they can't afford it, the church will help pay. If transportation is a problem, someone from the church will drive them.

"But one way or another," Troy said that Sunday in late November, "every man in this church will be checked out."

"Amen," parishioners responded. "Amen."

Thought this was a pretty good story.