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About Us
History of Carolinas Health Ministry Partnership
The Carolinas Health Ministries Partnership had its origins as a regional chapter of the Health Ministries Association (HMA) called the Carolinas HMA Chapter. The Carolinas HMA Chapter was one of the early chapters of HMA with its charter formation in February 1999 in Columbia, South Carolina. The First Co-Chairs were Rev. Bob Beavers of South Carolina and Stephanie Biggers, RN, Coordinator at Charlotte Presbyterian Hospital. Coordinators of several NC and SC hospital-based health ministry and parish nursing programs served on the initial Board of Directors. The Carolinas HMA Chapter had six Sections with a total of 12 representatives: Parish Nurse Coordinator, Health Education, Clergy, Lay Health Ministries, Health Care Organization, and Parish Nurse. Efforts were made to support at least one Chapter board member as a chapter representative at the HMA annual gathering. An annual report was submitted yearly to National HMA. The chapter was active in offering educational conferences and retreats. The first Carolinas Chapter retreat was held at Lutheridge Conference Center in Arden, NC in October 2001. In 2005, the annual conference was moved to Kanuga Retreat Center in Hendersonville, NC as the group outgrew space at Lutheridge. In April 2006, the Carolinas chapter served as the host site for the National Health Ministries Association Annual Conference. The event held at the Washington-Duke Hotel in Durham, NC hosted around 400 attendees.In 2009, because of changes in government IRS regulations related to not-for profit organizations, HMA was required to restructure and could no longer allow chapters to use the HMA 501(c) status for chapter tax purposes. The two options possible for HMA chapters were to either disband and form a separate not-for-profit organization with a new name or dissolve and submit existing chapter money to National HMA. The Carolinas Chapter of HMA chose to disband the chapter, rename the group, and apply for a separate not-for-profit status. The new organization was called Carolinas Health Ministry Partnership (CHMP) to represent its area of service in North Carolina and South Carolina and obtained Articles of Incorporation through NC General Statutes on April 22, 2010. In 2010-2011, new By-laws were written. This work resulted in CHMP obtaining 501 (c) tax exempt status on August 30, 2013. Listed under the Public Charity designation, CHMP is able to write for grants, donations, and do fund raising. Its intent is to provide for the common good by health ministry activities back in communities (educational programs, advocacy, counseling). Leadership in the CHMP Board of Directors intentionally represents both North Carolina and South Carolina. This collaborative structure supports faith community nursing and health ministry in both states. The Carolinas Health Ministry Partnership continues to offer educational programs and yearly retreats.