Effects of a Virtual Church-Based Wellness Circle Program in Chile During COVID-19

Abstract

The Christian non-profit Kingdom Workers began a wellness circle program in Linares, Chile, two months before COVID-19 restricted most in-person activities. This article describes why the program began, how it was intended to operate, and how the Kingdom Worker Chile (KW Chile) team adapted to continue the program virtually, while maintaining its core mission of partnering with Christians to share the gospel message through a health and wellness support program. The forced adaptation of the wellness circles to a virtual format contributed to an increase in the number of program participants from the community as well as from neighboring cities and countries. There was also an increase in the number of volunteers who were able to offer additional supplementary activities. While the wellness circle program is new and small, it is a valued non-profit ministry and lessons can be learned from analyzing its experiences during the pandemic. Overall, the positive effects of the program’s transition online have permanently altered its structure for the foreseeable future and KW Chile plans to continue offering virtual wellness circles to involve volunteers and participants whose engagement is no longer hindered by travel, location, or time restraints.