Content Resources

Theology is, simply put, our talk about God in Christ and his actions as shown to us in the Bible. Missions is all about witnessing in various ways to God in Christ and his actions in the world. In other words, theology and missions go hand-in-hand. Though we often think of "missions texts" - our go-to verses for supporting missions - missions is far more than a collection of verses but is part of a larger story of God's salvation and making that salvation known. In this session we will see how the Bible tells that story and how we are called not just to "know" but to take our place in that story and be Christ's witnesses in the world, no matter what gifts and opportunities God gives us.

This session is intended to help non-therapists or medical professionals provide therapeutic intervention for children with common motor disabilities. Mobility and play are important aspects in the development of young children. Autism, Down syndrome and Cerebral Palsy are common pediatric developmental disabilities that can have an negative impact on movement. In this practical session we will learn common motor and developmental impairments in children with these diagnoses and how to provide and teach parents low tech exercises and activities to address these impairments.

When we show Christ’s love in honor-shame cultures, often people first see merit making, proselytization and apostasy however pure our motivation may be. We will look at a worldview that is based on honor-shame, come to understand how they may interpret what we do and from there understand the risks and look at what practices may help us to show and share God’s love appropriately. The workshop will use observations from tsunami relief and urban poor work in SE Asia to illustrate these principles.

Health Environmental and Learning Program (H.E.L.P.) (www.missonforhelp.org) is a Christian development mission and non-profit organization registered in 1999 and founded by Tim and Lani Ackerman, an ecologist and medical doctor. The Ackermans served in the Himalayas for 8 years, and while there trained Nepali Christians to lead the organization, founding an NGO. Using the model of Jesus' ministry to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, HELP's focus is to equip the national church and assist them in developing their own community. In multiple areas, Christian Community Development works through literacy, animal husbandry, health, agriculture, income generation, environment preservation, an orphanage and sponsorship program we serve the poor of the Himalayas and see Christ transform. In a grass-roots approach, trainer of trainers methods, multi-tier discipleship, and close follow up, HELP partners with hundreds of Nepali believers and leaders, bringing non-formal education, health training, pesticide-free farming, gardening, income generation, veterinary work, and ministry to the poorest of the poor, addressing social determinants of health and championing social justice through the gospel. This session will help participants understand how social determinants of health, social justice, and health equity can be addressed through the church and with discipleship

Tuberculosis is an infection with global significant that takes on a whole new level of importance for those desiring to work internationally in underserved areas. Effective medicine in areas of high tuberculosis prevalence requires both an understanding of the current state of TB diagnosis and management globally as well as the current on-the-ground application of these principles in under-resourced settings. This session will discuss clinical updates in TB in both of these fronts.

We are all "Servants in Training", "Missionaries in Training" or both. What's the difference and how might God be preparing us? Dr. Dowell will be discussing the importance of each of those seasons in our development as yielded vessels "living sacrifices". We will learn the answers to those questions, find encouragement in times of difficulty, and be inspired to answer the call along the way as we glean wisdom, and learn a few guiding principles from the lives of biblical and historical servants who have been called and used of God in times past.

Merry Christmas from the MedicalMissions.com team! We hope you and your family are enjoying the holiday season and celebrating the birth of Jesus together. In the world of healthcare missions, we’ve heard stories of some of the key impact points and motivators to people’s calling. Many of those are things like CMDA student groups, Perspectives on World Missions, and the GMHC. In my opinion, at the core of each of these, and why they have such an impact, is that they are all places of great community and connection. Today we want to talk with you about the power of community. When Jesus walked on this earth, he certainly did not walk alone. He gathered people around him throughout his years in ministry. He taught them, he loved them, and he served them. The disciples were sent out in groups to share the good news of the Kingdom and throughout the New Testament we see people joining together to go on missionary journeys and share the good news of Jesus. Have you ever stopped to think about how unique it is that we serve a Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)? They are three and they are one. It’s mind blowing. But what’s so unique about our Lord is that He has always been in community. Think about it... Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have always been in perfect community with each other. And then God makes us in His image! It should stand to reason that we are built for community... it’s in our very nature. Community is lifeblood to our success - it’s necessary at every stage of life and for every venture we encounter. The encouragement for you is to stop and think about how you are currently connected in community with others. If you aren’t, then take a simple step to get connected with others in a small group, find a CMDA group (or other group), attend the GMHC, or any other number of engagement points. There are no words for the encouragement your heart will find to be on this journey with others. A note to the introvert...yes, you need to community too. It can be easy for an introvert or high achiever to just keep plowing forward and pioneering their own path. But I want to encourage you to pause a moment and find community. The biggest reason: Jesus did. In his perfection, even Jesus found community with others. There is no doubt he could have plowed through on His own plan by Himself without any problems. We are all made for community. We are made for community and we benefit from community. Why do you think Jesus gathered people around him? Why is God a triune God? Why does the Bible teach us to love our neighbor as ourself? Why are we instructed to encourage one another, disciple and teach one another, live together in unity? Why is so much of the Bible focused on the body of Christ, mutually edifying one another? Because that is the essence of Christ and the very foundation of our faith. If we live on our own, pursuing our own goals and aims, we will find that we are no longer doing anything except living for ourselves. Our faith is, by necessity, lived out in community both with, and for, others. During this Christmas season, we hope that you enjoy time to rest and be with your family. We also hope that you dwell on the larger community of Christians that you belong to. Where do you need to grow in your commitment to community?

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews12:1-2ESV This idea that we are called to run a race with endurance, surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses...have you ever really considered what this means? God is calling us to put down the things that slow us down, to train so we can endurance run...and we have cheerleaders! Scripture is giving us a beautiful picture to encourage us to fight against the desire we have to sprint, our need for instant gratification. It shows us we must commit to the longer race. There are many difficulties in this for me! The biggest one is I can’t see the finish line when I start. I like to know where I am going, what the road looks like, what all I need for the trip and the list goes on. It is hard for me to put things down – to lay aside the unnecessary weight. I have armored up and I have lots of baggage. But it is impossible to endurance run unless I put some of those things down. That’s a little bit scary because in my human frailty, I believe that I need all of my things. But today, we want to talk about the things that really matter when you are preparing for mission work (running the race that is set before us). I am so encouraged that we are not running this race alone. There are those surrounding us, a great cloud of witnesses. But for the joy set before ME, can I follow the example of Christ? When preparing for mission work, Leigh Taylor Hamilton, from World Medical Mission, asks us to consider adding these things to the checklist: Humility My dad declared at the dinner table “I feel like I’m becoming more humble lately.” I quickly said, “Dad, you can’t say that!” I believe what he meant to say was, “God has really been working on me and my pride.” After thinking about this, I realized that while most believers do not outwardly make such contradictory statements, we do harbor secret pride. Secret pride creeps into mission work because of one word: sacrifice. We secretly look at our sacrifices within material wealth, time, and skills and then think look what I gave up. We know that in mission work, if we hold onto this pride in sacrifice we will never fully experience true biblical humility therefore missing freedom from our selfishness. It doesn’t mean we do not have confidence in our calling and knowing who we are but it does mean that we need to lay aside any thoughts toward titles and renown – especially in the secret place of the heart that harbors these desires and need of recognition. 1 Peter 5:5 reminds us that, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Flexibility Missions will put your flexibility to the test. Between third-world systems, licensing, transportation, and minimal resources you will quickly realize how important it is to know your limits and how to work through those tests. This is why we must surrender any expectations of how the journey will go towards the will of God. Be open to new plans, cancellations and changes in directions. This allows for God to work through us. Versatility Be pretty good at a lot of different things. Missionary work will require you to do different things you aren’t always comfortable with or feel prepared for but we at least try and learn different ways of doing things in order to understand others we will work alongside. And Remember: Ask God to search your heart (Psalm 139:23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts) and reveal the areas that exist where secret pride creeps in, flexibility limits us, and versatility fails -the known and the unknown. May He reveal this to your hearts as you confidently accept this call to serve. To God only be the Glory.  

Today we are going to go back to the topic of short term trips. First we're going to hear from my friend Tina, who willingly steps in and serves in any capacity, any location, any time. She is an amazing servant. Then we will hear from Dr. Peter Chu and Dr. Hyon Kim, who were "Short Term Long Term" trailblazers with SIM. Both of these perspectives bring a much needed reminder that each of us brings something different to the table. God created us all to serve in the way he designed and we need to be faithful to that.  A More Excellent Way by Tina Bruner “Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” 1 Cor 12: 4-7 ESV The great thing about the body is that it MUST work together. It is many different parts with different functions – but one part without the others means it isn’t whole. Scripture is clear that each part of the body is equal. God made each of us to be part of the body that needs the other parts, and our part is needed. As a non-medical person on a trip to Nigeria to train pastors to do basic dentistry, I learned how even our teeth are created for different functions and without certain teeth and their role, eating would be difficult. During that training I witnessed how beautiful it is when the body of Christ works together. Believers teaching and serving one another so that they might better serve those in need and bring hope to the hurting. It is a powerful witness to our divided world when we work together in the way God designed us. He is showing us a more excellent way by creating us this way. Long Term Goals by Dr. Peter Chu and Dr. Hyon Kim Peter first served at SIM’s Galmi hospital in 1998 for 3 months, and shortly after returned with Hyon in 1999 to serve for 6 months to provide medical coverage and to discern future ministry direction. It was during this time that they developed a vision for “long-term-short- term-medical-mission-work”. God helped them see the need for physicians who bridged those who “sent” mission workers and those who were “sent” as mission workers. For the next 20 years, Peter and Hyon made regular annual trips to Galmi for a few weeks to months at a time. They remained flexible to the staffing needs of the hospital and tried to offer their service when long-term physicians were on home assignment or at conferences. Returning to the same hospital reduced the need for orientation and shortened learning curves and adjustment periods. Committing to one hospital and returning on a regular basis gave them a unique “long- term-outsider’s” perspective which enabled them to participate and speak into strategic hospital issues. They developed deep relationships with long-term mission workers and hospital staff, which allowed them to carry out their most meaningful ministry of walking alongside people and encouraging them to persevere in their call and faith. Although, they cared for many patients at Galmi, they look back and see how God used them to encourage the long-term workers, by providing a loving and listening ear, procuring special hospital supplies, and supporting the work financially and by prayer. “Long-term-short-term-medical-mission-work” was also a helpful way to maintain a winsome witness in their passport country. They both worked in academic settings in Toronto and had many opportunities to speak to their colleagues, medical trainees, and patients about their medical mission work and faith in Jesus. Over the years they had the privilege of taking several residents and colleagues to Galmi – people who otherwise would not have considered a mission trip except that they were invited by Peter and Hyon to serve with them. Some of these people have gone on to serve in medical missions on their own in both long- and short-term capacities. They are grateful to have had this special opportunity to serve God in medical missions. They hope others will consider doing the same.   So, can short-term teams really have an impact? Clearly, yes! To take a deeper dive into the world of short term trips, find more resources and a trip list here: https://www.medicalmissions.com/missions/shortterm To download our FREE 30 Day Journal: https://www.medicalmissions.com/finding-my-place-in-short-term-missions

This year’s Global Missions Health Conference was a special one. After a full two years, we were back in person. We got through some of the hardest days of our lives in 2020, and wasn’t it good to be together again in 2021? It felt like a family reunion, a time to gather together and remember all the ways that the Lord has been so faithful to us over the last two years. I’m going to go over some highlights that stood out to me, but I would also encourage you to talk with your family and friends about what impacted you. Don’t just let this year’s conference come and go. Take that next step in missions. Talk, pray, learn, grow, listen. And if you weren’t at the conference this year, be encouraged by the 2200 people that were in person and online being challenged to enter into the next step of healthcare missions for the glory of God. Arriving at the GMHC As the conference is getting started each year, there is always a buzz of excitement in the air that you can almost feel. Exhibitors are setting up their booths, pre-conference meetings are happening, the registration counter is priming for thousands of people to arrive. The anticipation was even greater this year after our virtual only event in 2021. As attendees, exhibitors, speakers, and volunteers started arriving on Thursday afternoon, masks were in place, but that did not diminish the joy in seeing one another in person and catching up on all that the has happened over the last few years. This year’s Thursday afternoon plenary with Dr. Daisey Dowell was an inspiring way to kick off the weekend. She challenged each one of us with her story and her perseverance and reminded us that we are all servants in training. New to this year’s conference was the addition of a Thursday evening church service with Southeast Christian Church. It gave attendees the chance to join in a worship service or take the time to visit exhibitors and learn more about what is happening in the world of healthcare missions. Breakout Sessions The breakout sessions were outstanding this year, with topics ranging from Domestic Health Disparities to International Equipping and everything in between. We had speakers from all over the globe, some even joining us via Zoom from the Middle East or Africa. Everyone had patience with this new digital world we live in, knowing that we have to be patient with technology sometimes! This was our first year to live stream some of our sessions and it was overall a great experience. Our Hands On sessions were popular as always. Everyone loves learning how to suture, do an ultrasound with minimal equipment/skills, and equipping themselves with newborn care at birth. These hands-on sessions are a great way for our undergraduate students to get a taste of what could be their future! Plenary Sessions All of our plenary sessions this year were outstanding. On Friday Dr. Phil, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Hillis shared about how we can use data to make informed, loving decisions for those around us. On Friday we heard from many different speakers from all different backgrounds about their journeys in and through healthcare missions. Dr. Donlon was an amazing facilitator throughout that plenary and led us through the many ways that we can all be challenged to learn, pray, send, and go.  On Saturday morning, Dr. Jason closed us out with a convicting talk on Z groups – the places and people in the world that have zero disciples. He called on us all to lay down on pride and our sense of self-importance in order to truly listen to Jesus’ call on our life. And we finished our time together with a call to commitment, in the traditional GMHC way – bringing a commitment card up to the map and laying it on a location we feel that God is pulling us toward. These cards will be mailed to everyone in a few months as a reminder of this time and this passion. Other Fun and Interesting Tidbits We tried out food trucks this year! The people who were in the front of the lines enjoyed the food trucks immensely…and the people in the back of the lines, not so much! While we know that some of you loved it and some of you didn’t, we are always committed to trying and improving. We’ll be back next year with something even better! Our exhibitors were amazing as always. The exhibitors represent all the ways you can move toward your next step in missions, so their presence is extremely important to us. We are thrilled that so many exhibitors come ready to engage attendees with interactive and thoughtful displays and materials. Our virtual audience was able to experience some unique interviews with speakers, exhibitors, and partners. This feature was a great way to go a little deeper and learn a little more about some of our most seasoned and experienced medical professionals. Many of them have been coming to the GMHC for years now, and they bring a wealth of knowledge. We’re lucky to have these amazing men and women in our midst! We introduced a new idea that will be percolating for all of 2022 – the Pathways to Healthcare Missions. This idea was introduced in the Friday night plenary and we encouraged attendees to take the online survey so that we can tailor the forthcoming classes, materials, and online resources to your needs. We want to create resources that will be a guide and a pathway to help people navigate their next step, wherever that might be. We’re excited for where this path is going to take us! Thank you. Thank you for being a part of the GMHC. Whether you attended in person, virtually, or historically (or if you simply hope to attend someday!), we are thankful for you. We are thankful for your heart that desires to serve and for your skills that you are willing to share. You are an inspiration to us here at GMHC/MedicalMissions.com and you are the reason we do what we do. We long to see every people group and every nation experience the love of Jesus and the physical care that they deserve – and we hope that we can be a small part of you becoming the hands and feet of Jesus.

Dr. and Mrs. McDonald have served in international ministry with over 30 years of experience. Offered an international career with the UN and World Bank, they took the path less traveled, and it has made all the difference…for eternity! With work experience in over 50 countries, together they have helped set up or empower scores of development projects that continue today. These include hospitals, clinics, medical training, orphanages, community centers, schools from preschool to graduate level, businesses, farms, plantations, factories, safe houses, all providing products and services for the local community and export. Trial and error have revealed ten important principles foundational to success in social enterprise. One of them of particular interest in ministry is the issue of multiple “bottom lines.” Profit, the usual bottom line, cannot stand alone. Their core value is that any effort must produce spiritual results, at least in opening doors. Results are God ordained, not man driven. For what profits a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul? Other principles flow from this core foundational premise. How do you determine the most strategic set of needs when there are so many? And how do you prioritize? How do you find a competitive advantage? How do you diversify to minimize risk? How do you write a business plan to know viability? How do you find the “Champion” if you are not on the ground yourself? How do you avoid colonialism while creating accountability? How do you measure results? How do you avoid corruption? Be encouraged that there is nothing greater than empowering a people group sold out to Christ to become independent to leverage the gospel in their own community! The story of McDonald’s journey is there’s no greater joy than seeing men, women and children come to know the True and Living God while standing free and reaching their own through economic, social and spiritual empowerment! Phil holds a Ph.D. from Michigan State in international development and is the CEO of L.E.A.D. Inc. Rebecca is the Founder and CEO of Women At Risk, Int’l, addressing multiple risk issues in 56 countries and licensed in all 50 states to train medical professionals in anti-trafficking. As a family, they raised four children in the developing world and know the unique challenges of marriage, family, career, ministry, business, and social entrepreneurship in a cross-cultural environment. They never expected to be serial entrepreneurs. Last year Phil authored an Amazon bestselling book entitled, “unreal: Adventures of a Family’s Global Life.” Written in memoir form, the book recounts 90 stories that highlight 60 principles learned from more than 30 years of experience.

As we approach the annual Global Missions Health Conference, I get more and more excited to see everyone together. I know we’re still in the midst of the ravaging effects of Covid-19, but I truly hope and pray that our time together will serve as a time to bolster our faith as we move forward in God’s mission. As a group of healthcare professionals, you are the exact people that are most in need right now. You are the people that can bring the only hope and healing that we need in the world – both physically and spiritually. We’ve been talking about short term trip opportunities this month on the blog and the Global Missions Health Conference always provides unique ways to engage in every kind of mission opportunity. We’re excited to see all the organizations and agencies you will interact with and learn from. One of those organizations that you will see is CMDA – Christian Medical & Dental Associations. Dr. Shari Falkenheimer, MD, MPH, MA (Bioethics), PhD works with CMDA USA as the Director of Medical Education International. She is going to share a story with us today about how short-term trips really can make a difference. We hope you will take the time to meet many others like Dr. Falkenheimer, who can share all of their resources, time, and wisdom with you while at the GMHC.                         Are short-term teams really beneficial? Can short-term trips have a long-term impact spiritually and medically? If done right, they can! Here’s an example... A US short-term medical education ministry was asked by the Kenyan Christian Medical & Dental Association (KCMDA) to provide training in trauma life support. Like many countries, motor vehicle and other trauma are common causes of death, and they wanted to be able to provide appropriate life-saving care. The US ministry sent five small teams over five years to meet the KCMDA’s goals. The Kenyans set up and advertised the training, arranged the venue, registered attendees and charged to cover their costs. The US team taught trauma life support principles, along with skills labs and a final mega-code practical to ensure students were able to use what they learned in a realistic scenario. A large number of participants attended these courses in Nairobi, many funded by a local Muslim hospital system. Optional devotions were offered each morning. After a couple of years, top graduates of the program were mentored and trained to teach the course and were mentored by the US team the first time they taught it. It was truly a training of trainers, multiplying the impact of the US team. This training became the standard of care in Nairobi medical facilities. And those Kenyan trainers took the course to over 1500 Kenyan medical personnel in 3 cities over the next 2 years and to an adjacent nation. Not long after the training, the Kenyan doctors were faced with post-election violence. They credited the course as having taught them how to respond to the resulting trauma patients. One even credited his relative’s survival to the training. Those who attended devotions were exposed to the gospel. The Kenyan CMDA became better known and appreciated for bringing the training to their country. Remaining funds from registration helped their ministry. And the KCMDA’s goal was met – they brought real improvement in trauma care not only to Nairobi but other cities and an adjacent country. So, can short-term teams really have an impact? Clearly, yes! To take a deeper dive into the world of short term trips, find more resources and a trip list here: https://www.medicalmissions.com/missions/shortterm To download our FREE 30 Day Journal: https://www.medicalmissions.com/finding-my-place-in-short-term-missions