World Medical Mission From Samaritan’s Purse

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Sometimes, God calls a person or group to stand in a gap. That's been a recurring theme in the history of World Medical Mission. A ministry of Samaritan's Purse, World Medical Mission has been sending medical professionals on mission trips around the globe for more than four decades—and the group has no intention of slowing down.

 

How Samaritan's Purse Started World Medical Mission

In 1977, two brothers, who happened to be surgeons, were looking for an avenue to use their skills and talents on a short-term mission project. In an effort to find a good fit, they approached Franklin Graham, the founder of Samaritan's Purse. At the time, Samaritan's Purse did not sponsor medical missions trips, so Graham started looking for other groups that would meet the brothers' needs.

However, the more he searched, Graham recognized a gap in the world of missions. So, he accepted the challenge of creating a place where doctors and other medical professionals could come for short-term missions placement. As a result, World Medical Mission was born. In time, the group became a partner organization with Global Health Missions Conference.

 

How World Medical Mission Serves 

The ministry and mission of World Medical Mission are rooted in twin truths drawn from Luke 10:9

“Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.'"

 

Through short-term missions and other evangelistic endeavors, World Medical Mission seeks to promote the physical healing of those who are sick and suffering around the world, especially in underserved regions.

However, medical healing is only part of the Luke 10 equation. They also seek intentional opportunities to share the gospel with individuals who need to hear it. They strive to let people know about the Great Physician and the kingdom of God that He has established. Through medical treatment and evangelism, World Medical Mission is able to treat the whole person.

To fulfill this mission, World Medical Missions works through hospitals and clinics in several regions. These areas include Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, and the Middle East. In addition to matching medical professionals with short-term mission opportunities, the organization also provides a post-residency for individuals who are called to vocational medical missions.

World Medical Missions also sponsors what are called "surgical subspecialty teams." Recognizing that many places in the world do not have access to quality surgical options, the subspeciality teams offer individuals the chance to have basic operations that can improve their quality of life and, in many cases, extend their lives. Surgeons also provide training to local medical professionals and may even provide mission hospitals with the equipment needed to strengthen their surgical services.

Finally, World Medical Missions maintains a website called the International Health Forum. This site serves as an information clearinghouse for professionals and students who are interested in any number of medical missions endeavors. The webinars cover a variety of topics, which are categorized for easy access.

 

Why Mission Organizations Like This Matter

The Ministry of World Medical Mission focuses on three primary tasks:

 

Sharing the Gospel.

As noted, the medical services provided are a gateway to meeting the biggest need in people's lives. The gospel stands at the center of everything World Medical Mission does.

 

Support overworked staff.

In mission hospitals and clinics around the world, demand usually exceeds supply. Short staffs mean long hours under difficult working conditions. The presence of short-term medical missionaries can provide relief to these overworked individuals.

 

Train future leaders.

As with any mission endeavor, raising indigenous leaders is a key to effective ministry. Medical missions is no different. Along with providing extra sets of hands and feet, the volunteers who work with World Medical Mission also serve local medical professionals, helping them grow in their skills and become better practitioners for their patients.

 

 

Discover Medical Missions.

Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.

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