In 1979, two physicians and a businessman founded a ministry near Hermosa, South Dakota, with a clear vision: to provide a training program that would inspire and equip Seventh-day Adventist young people to serve God. Their goal was to prepare Bible workers, health missionaries, and leaders for the supporting ministries of the church.
Since those early days, hundreds of graduates have entered the field as pastors and international missionaries or have launched their own supporting ministries—ranging from wellness centers and schools to radio and TV stations. In every endeavor, the focus remains the same: reaching the world with the Gospel of Jesus and the message of His soon return.
Unique Training: The Black Hills School of Massage (BHSOM)
In 2014, the Black Hills School of Massage was established to meet the demand for Christ-centered vocational training. It stands as one of the very few programs that intentionally excludes the “New Age” or spiritualistic teachings common in most massage curricula today.
Our 650-hour program prepares graduates for licensure in almost every state. More importantly, it empowers them to use their skills as a bridge for health outreach ministry while building a sustainable career.
The Heart of the Ministry: The Wellness Center
The mainstay of BHHEC is our Wellness Center, which draws guests from around the globe. While many are told by doctors to “eat better” or “exercise more”, nearly 90% of people don’t know where to begin.
Our 10-day residential program bridges that gap. We provide the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to see how simple lifestyle changes can optimize health in a short amount of time. We use the N.E.W.S.T.A.R.T. framework to guide this transformation:
- Nutrition: Delicious, simple, plant-based meals and hands-on cooking schools
- Exercise: Personalized plans and group walks tailored to each guest’s ability
- Water: Proper hydration and herbal teas, with a schedule to maintain at home
- Sunshine: Education on the vital benefits of natural light
- Temperance: Practicing moderation in the good and abstinence from the harmful
- Air: Fresh air and proper breathing techniques for vitality
- Rest: Emphasizing the restorative power of regular sleep
- Trust in God: Recognizing the Great Physician as the source of all true healing
Following the Master’s Method
While we are an educational center rather than a medical facility, our mission is rooted in the example of Jesus. As noted in The Ministry of Healing:
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.’” (p. 143)
Through this method, we continue to see lives transformed and hearts opened to the Savior.
Shining His Light: 2025-2026 Testimonies of Grace
As we reflect on God’s blessings over this past year at the Black Hills Health & Education Center, our hearts overflow with gratitude for His constant guidance. Our primary goal is to point everyone we meet toward Jesus, reflecting the warmth of His love:
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
These testimonies illustrate how God is glorified when we cooperate with His plan:
- From Despair to Hope: One guest arrived believing he was sent to us merely to prepare for death. Instead, he encountered a God who loved him and had the power to heal. Most importantly, he found true rest for his soul. One year later, he is active in his church, remains faithful to the health program, and continues to see his health improve daily.
- Neighborly Connections: Our community “Harvest Fest” welcomed over 50 neighbors who were surprised to discover the breadth of our ministry. This outreach led to a significant increase in local residents seeking our massage services, personal training, and hydrotherapy treatments.
- Light at the End of the Tunnel: A guest arrived overwhelmed by stress and depression, unable to see any light in her life. Through the peace of nature, inspiring daily worship, wholesome food, and what she described as the “tangible love and care of the staff,” her perspective shifted. By the time she left, the quiet joy on her face told a story of a heart renewed.
- A Place to Call Home: God provided much-needed housing for our dedicated staff! We have completed quad-plex apartments, allowing staff members to move from cramped studio spaces into beautiful, two-bedroom homes.
- Educational Growth: The School of Massage restarted on January 11, 2026, with four students. We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Health Sciences Department of Union Adventist University, which will provide clinical training and hours right here on our campus.
- The Greatest Miracle: While many guests come to Black Hills praying for a physical miracle, the greatest miracle we witness is the moment they realize God’s deep, individual care for them.
Each morning, our staff family meets for worship and prayer. We recount praises that, if time allowed, could fill hours of conversation. As we continue through this rebuilding phase, we rest in the promise of Philippians 1:6:
“being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;” NKJV
“Support Black Hills with your prayers, for God to continue to support the work He entrusted us!” — Leasa Hodges, President of Black Hills Health & Education Center in Hermosa, South Dakota.
ASI Mid-America (ASIMA) is a network of professionals and ministries across the Mid-America Union, working together to provide networking, resources, and inspiration to help you turn your workplace into a place of ministry.
