Recently, an unusual trend has appeared in some Christian communities in China—pastors and church members are entering the health and wellness industry. Many justify this shift by pointing out that in today's era, a significant number of people are in a sub-health state. Medically, a person is considered healthy if they aren't sick. However, people still feel exhausted, forgetful, and sluggish. The wellness industry emerged to help people struggling with sub-health.
Many Christians, including pastors and preachers, have been involved in the health and wellness field for several years now. How have they fared so far?
Starting with Sub-health
Sub-health is a state between wellness and illness, where people feel fatigued, sluggish, and low on energy but don't have a diagnosable medical condition. In reality, most people fall into this category.
Why is this so common? Simply put, life today moves at an overwhelming pace. Some say history moves in a straight line, while others believe it's accelerating. Either way, modern life is fast, demanding, and constantly changing.
For office workers, the traditional "three-point" lifestyle—office, restaurant, and home— has been downgraded to just two points. Many people now live a "two-point" routine—work and home—often skipping restaurants in favor of food delivery. With such a lifestyle, staying healthy seems almost impossible.
From Sub-health to Health and Wellness
Where there's demand, there's a market—whether it's legitimate or not. With most people struggling with sub-health, entrepreneurs have jumped into the booming health and wellness industry, including Christian business owners who have opened wellness centers, therapy clinics, and health management centers.
For some, the motivation is simple: financial stability. While Christians focus on their faith, they still need to earn a living. Since hospitals don't always meet people's health needs and the wellness industry is profitable, pastors and preachers have turned to it as a reliable source of income.
Others see a biblical precedent. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul supported himself by making tents while doing ministry, a model that still inspires Christian leaders today. With full-time ministry often paying little or nothing, earning an income alongside ministry allows them to be self-sufficient.
This approach not only helps people improve their health—both physically and spiritually—but also provides financial stability for those in ministry, making it a win-win situation.
Hidden Concerns Behind the Win-Win Scenario—A Mixed Bag
Many Christian wellness centers and therapy clinics help people struggling with poor health. However, there have also been many problematic cases.
In a central Chinese city, a Christian entrepreneur claimed his family had practiced traditional Chinese medicine for generations and that he had some expertise in health therapy. Over the years, he switched careers multiple times, working in vastly different fields—managing a hospital pharmacy, serving as a government secretary, running a factory, and even operating a coal mine. More recently, he turned his focus to developing health-related devices and became passionate about inventing wellness equipment.
I've seen some of his inventions myself, but none had any scientific backing for their supposed therapeutic effects. His wellness services claim to treat everything from sub-health issues and post-COVID symptoms to obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, insomnia, infertility, and even stroke. He insists his methods can address all of them.
I remain highly skeptical.
He also introduced me to what he called "miraculous disinfectant water," claiming it was 80 to 100 times more effective than regular disinfectants. Unlike standard products, it was supposedly gentle on the skin, highly sterilizing, and even safe to drink for health benefits. Before I left, he gave me a bottle. Out of caution, I never used or drank it—I threw it away.
The Problem with "Miracle Devices"
Reports of fraudulent "miracle devices" have appeared in major media outlets, and one of the biggest offenders is the so-called "human energy cabin." These devices come with futuristic branding—names like "Space Energy Cabin," "Vitality Pod," or "Wellness Chamber"—and claim to heal the body simply by lying inside and switching on the power.
I once visited a Christian-owned wellness center that proudly showcased its prized possession—a "Space Cabin" supposedly worth hundreds of thousands of yuan, donated by another Christian. According to the story, the donor had been seriously ill, and her daughter, who was studying abroad, bought the device for her at great expense. After using it, the woman reportedly recovered completely. With her health restored, she decided to donate the machine to someone in need, which led to its placement in the wellness center.
I can't say for certain whether the device works since I never used it myself. However, one detail raised suspicion—the "Space Cabin" was supposedly purchased overseas in a country that doesn't use Chinese characters, yet the machine had Chinese labels all over it, strongly suggesting it was manufactured in China.
Conclusion
I don't oppose Christians working in the health and wellness industry. Many people suffer from sub-health conditions and genuinely need physical and mental relaxation. However, we must acknowledge the widespread issues in this field—especially when Christian business owners, pastors, and church leaders are involved. These problems deserve serious attention.
For Christians entering the wellness industry, two fundamental principles should be followed. First, science must be respected, faith and science are not in conflict. Secondly, Act with integrity, Christians must be honest and never deceive people for financial gain.
This standard applies beyond the health industry. In everything we do, we must ensure that our actions align with God's principles. This is especially true for pastors, preachers, and Christian leaders. As followers of Christ, we are called to live with honesty and integrity so that we may shine as lights in a dark world.
- Edited by Nicci Rossouw & Translated by Mark Cui
