About Us
Founded in 1976, the Optimum Health Institute is entering its 46th year. As an industry-leading holistic healing center, we offer body, mind, and spiritual healing programs at our two retreat centers.
Explore who we are, investigate career opportunities, and learn more about our OHI Missionary Program, and the OHI Scholarship Program.
About FSTC
The Free Sacred Trinity Church (FSTC) is a non-denominational, Christian church rooted in Judeo-Christian doctrine. The mission of the Free Sacred Trinity Church is to:
- Create holistic healing programs to a broken world in need of healing.
- Commission healing missions such as the Optimum Health Institute to teach the Church’s holistic healing program.
- Ordain ministers committed to serving God through a ministry of healing.
The Free Sacred Trinity Church believes that by cleansing and detoxifying the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit (I Co 6:19), quieting and focusing the mind (Ro 12:2), and practicing spiritual disciplines, one comes into wholeness from the Holy Spirit within. From this point of wholeness, we are prepared to receive the grace of God and heal.
Church Creed
The Free Sacred Trinity Church is a religious organization based on the Judeo-Christian traditions. Through the establishment of Holistic Health Centers, as Missions of the Church, FSTC promotes spiritual and physical healing through the teachings about mind, body, and spiritual beliefs as stated in the Bible. We believe in serving humanity through the teachings of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Within the Church, we follow a way of spiritual growth and development, becoming whole in theological discipline, seeking the Holy Spirit within. We believe that each of the faithful of the church is following a pathway provided by our Heavenly Father. From many different and varied faiths and religious experiences, from all histories and traditions, we learn from one another. We believe that each of the faithful seeks oneness with God. We seek the union of all with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Our Mission Statement
We will serve as a change agent for humankind by improving the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of everyone we touch.
Our Core Values
Holism, Generosity, Relationships, Life-Long Learning, Stewardship, and Service
Our Guiding Principles
Trustworthiness, Respect, Empowerment, and Alignment
The Five P’s to Optimum Health
OHI’s founders identified five components to optimum health:
- Purpose to achieve a natural balance and reconnection to the Divine
- Positive mental attitude that supports the healing process
- Persistence in following the holistic disciplines of the OHI holistic healing program
- Patience with your body and yourself as you allow your body, mind, and spirit to heal
- Prayer to a higher source who will share the load with you.
Our Beliefs
We believe that God created humans as holistic beings with an integrated body, mind, and spirit. We believe we can achieve optimum health when the body is purified, the mind is quieted, and the spirit is renewed. From that place of total integration and wholeness, people are then able to strengthen their connection to God, and are transformed to receive optimum health.
We honor the virtues of love, peace, forgiveness, self-reliance, accountability, and true service. We believe these values enable us to achieve a natural balance, a reconnection to God, and to cross the bridge to our spiritual path.
Our Founders
Three decades ago, several dedicated people from different traditions were drawn together in unity to help others in their need for healing.
Raychel Solomon met Robert P. Nees, Sr. and his wife Pamela while learning about God-centered mental techniques for healing the whole person. The classes were taught by Robert’s brother, the Rev. Russell Nees an ordained Presbyterian minister. The three learned how to use the mind as a powerful force for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual transformation.
We believe the Holy Spirit called Raychel, Robert, and Pam to create Hippocrates West – a not-for-profit body, mind, and spirit healing center. The healing program at Hippocrates West combined the mental and spiritual disciplines taught by Rev. Russell Nees with Essene-based dietary and cleansing practices taught at Hippocrates of Boston.
Soon the founders of Hippocrates West recognized the need for a stronger spiritual base in their healing program. As such, they transferred the assets of Hippocrates West to the Free Sacred Trinity Church (FSTC) – a Christian church rooted in Essene traditions. The original healing center became a Mission of FSTC, and its name was changed to the Health Institute of San Diego in 1977. In 1983, the name was changed to the Optimum Health Institute.
Currently, the Optimum Health Institute, as the primary healing ministry of FSTC, has helped over 150,000 people. Supporting the Church’s doctrine of unity, and putting biblical truths into action and service, the Optimum Health Institute provide a safe environment for inquirers, adherents, and people of all traditions to heal in body, mind, and spirit at one of its healing centers in the San Diego and Austin areas.
Robert P. Nees, Jr.
Senior Pastor, FSTC Board of Elders Chairman
OHI community member since 1993
"To be witness to the healing of so many through the grace of God and the joy, beauty and courage of the human spirit in our community is the most meaningful and humbling experience of my life."
Chet Swenson
FSTC Board of Elders, Lay Minister
OHI community member since 1998
"Being an FSTC Board Member since 1998 has been a real honor and privilege. Witnessing the lifechanging impact of the body, mind, spirit program on our missions‘ guests has been a true blessing. Making a difference in people’s lives has been enriching and fulfilling."
Kent Graham
FSTC Board of Elders, Lay Minister
OHI community member since 2002
"Having been associated with FSTC for over 15 years has been one of the most rewarding and meaningful experiences of my life. Meeting so many guests of the OHI Missions and witnessing firsthand the positive impact on their lives has been as fulfilling as it has been a privilege. Joining the FSTC Board and the incredible FSTC family enables me to continue to give back to the personnel, program and practice in which I firmly believe."
OHI Scholarship Program
In a spirit of generosity, the Optimum Health
Institute offers a scholarship program to those who
are in great healing and financial need.
OHI Missionary Program
For those who have graduated from the OHI holistic healing program and are interested in growing spiritually while being of service to others – then you may be a candidate for the OHI missionary program.
Resources
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Careers at OHI
Become a change agent for humankind by improving the physical, mental, and spiritual well-being of everyone you touch:
