Abstract
This Strategic Research Project examines how churches engage in public and nonprofit healthcare partnerships to address community health disparities and strengthen congregational well-being. Guided by organizational leadership principles and supported by frameworks such as the Social Ecological Model, change theory, and systems thinking, the study explores the perceptions, experiences, and decision-making processes of pastoral leaders involved in cross-sector collaboration. Using a mixed-methods design, the research analyzes qualitative insights from leadership interviews alongside quantitative data on community health trends to identify facilitators, barriers, and perceived effectiveness of these partnerships. Findings reveal that trust building, cultural competence, shared mission alignment, and resource accessibility are critical factors that influence partnership success, while structural constraints, communication gaps, and resistance to change present ongoing challenges. The study concludes by offering a strategic model for strengthening faith–health collaborations and provides actionable recommendations to support long-term sustainability, increase organizational capacity, and enhance health outcomes within African American communities. This project contributes to growing scholarship on faith-based public health initiatives and offers practical guidance for churches seeking to expand their role as community health advocates.
Recommended Citation
Evans, Josephine Louise
(2026)
"A Strategic Research Project Exploring an African American Church’s Engagement in Public and Nonprofit Healthcare Partnerships,"
Transformations: Vol. 12:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/transformations/vol12/iss1/3