Wellness Officer

The position of our part-time Wellness Officer exists to lead and strengthen District-wide efforts that promote holistic wellness among church workers, lay leaders, congregations, schools, and ministries.

The Wellness Officer grew out of the work of the Wellness Committee in alignment with our mission and vision:

WELLNESS: Promoting and encouraging health and vitality in congregations, schools, ministries, professional workers, and lay-leaders.

A Passion for Holistic Wellness

As Wellness Officer, Brandy is responsible for development and implementation of initiatives that support physical, emotional, financial, and spiritual health while fostering a culture of care throughout the District. Her work will include wellness workshops, retreats, and coaching opportunities for church workers, as well as collaboration with the NID Wellness Committee and the Church Worker Care Team.

Brandy brings both theological depth and practical experience to this new position. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English from Concordia University Ann Arbor and a Master of Arts in Systematic Theology from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. She is also an ACE-certified personal trainer and health coach, with certifications in CPR/AED First Aid and Mental Health First Aid.

In addition, as a certified instructor, Brandy will be offering Mental Health First Aid training as part of the District’s commitment to proactive care and support. Mental Health First Aid teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge, listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a person who may be experiencing a mental health challenge, and refer a person to appropriate professional support and services. This initiative strengthens our shared commitment to fostering emotionally healthy ministries and individuals across the Northern Illinois District. Training dates will be available soon.

A District Commitment to Care

Rev. Kris Whitby, Assistant to the President for Mission & Ministry, expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the Wellness Officer position:

“I believe that the value of holding up our church workers and our ministries to care for their well-being as the beloved of Christ will be greatly blessed by having a staff position dedicated to this goal. I am looking forward to seeing how the Wellness Officer will resource ministries for wellness endeavors, plan and host District-wide events and initiatives, and partner with organizations such as Concordia Plan Services, Grace Place, and the Synod’s Office of National Mission to bring meaningful care to our church workers and the ministries they serve—bringing our Lord’s care to ‘First Article’ matters of wellness.”

Brandy also shared her heart for this work:

“I firmly believe that managing personal well-being allows one to better care for others. Caring starts first with confessing God as our only source of restoration—the center of it all—and our wellness flows from His providential care and redemptive act in Christ Jesus. My desire is to help Christians bring Christ’s freedom into their wellness, step by step, so they feel capable of managing their wellness and, in turn, serve others with fervor.”

You may reach Brandy at brandy.mccoid@nidlcms.org.