The health message of the Seventh-day Adventist Church has often been called the “right arm” of the gospel, and rightly so, since it acts as an entering wedge to open doors for the spreading of the gospel.

Ellen White, one of the church founders of the Adventist movement, wrote this many years ago: “Let it ever be kept before the mind that the great object of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul and body. All the laws of nature—which are the laws of God—are designed for our good. Obedience to them will promote our happiness in this life, and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come.”—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 120.

The Adventist health message, which teaches ways of wellness and longevity, has recently come into the spotlight of the media and the film industry. In 2005 the National Geographic magazine carried a major story entitled The Secrets of Living Longer in which Seventh-day Adventists in California were cited as being among the longest-livers in America.

Dan Buettner, the author of the story, and a guest on CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360 and ABC’s Good Morning America, concluded with three keys—a plant-based diet, regular exercise, and a social network of family and friends—as the basis for a long and healthy life.

Now a movie has just been released called The ADVENTISTS. It is a documentary film about abiding faith, cutting-edge medicine, and longer, healthier life. It is described as a fascinating new documentary that explores the body-mind-spirit connections of Seventh-day Adventists. The film chronicles the history of the Adventist faith and investigates the reasons why Adventists are among the longest-living people in the world.

Independent filmmaker Martin Doblmeier suggests in the movie that Adventists today have just as much faith as early members, and are committed to living responsibly and positively, impacting those around them, while they wait for the Second Coming. That impact is largely rooted in the church's emphasis on healthy living, Doblmeier's film concludes.

He also emphasizes Adventists' commitment to Sabbathkeeping. "I was really moved by the Sabbath culture in the Adventist Church. Adventists are not simply sitting around being lazy on Sabbath—they're out there helping people and impacting their communities," Doblmeir said.

The response to the film from the Adventist community has been "gratifying," Doblmeier said, adding that he hopes those without a background in the Adventist Church find the film a "balanced and positive portrayal" of the church's impact in the United States.

Indeed, this is a film worth seeing and has already aired on public television. Screenings will also be held twice daily during the Church's General Conference Session from June 27 to July 2 in Atlanta, Georgia.

My friends, I’m impressed to say to you that God in his compassion has blessed His people with a marvelous message of health, healing, and longevity. We are stewards of this blessing of His. Let us continue to take full advantage of this marvelous gift from heaven—the gift of “healthgevity” and longevity.

Donald G. King is president of the Atlantic Union Conference and chairman of the Atlantic Union College Board of Trustees.