We go to medical missions cross culturally with some expectations to partner with churches, mission agencies and local humanitarian agencies. Partnership is often seen in light of synergistic and supporting relationships for the purpose of the gospel and the Kingdom of God. How does the local governing systems and officials view our presence as health and development related services? What expectations do they have of us as their partners in serving the health needs of the community? What kind of theology of relationships do we have with these entities that may serve or complicate the purposes of the mission that we are called to? What opportunities or hindrances do governing structures post to medical missions?
Come bring your questions or comments and participate in the discussions that will be facilitated by two doctors with combined several decades of experience struggling through contexts in East Asia and Africa.
During the main GMHC conference 2015 PRIME International's CEO, Prof Richard Vincent, presented this breakout session on ‘Compassion: Foundation for Whole Person Care’.
Scientific and technical advances may be seen as the key to best medical practice, but to focus only on biological processes is to ignore other powerful influences on the causes and treatment
of illness. A solely mechanistic approach fails to deal with the basic requirement of patients to be cared for as people - in body, mind and spirit.
This session explored the topic of whole person care including its biblical basis, evidence for its benefit and its delivery to patients founded on compassion.
While weaving into his presentation personal experiences from both his time serving in Liberia and his own experience with Ebola, Dr. Sacra will discuss ways in which the response to the Ebola crisis sometimes has unintended consequences. We’ve observed cultural clashes sometimes leading to violence, both in cities and in rural areas, as well as impacts on the health system as a whole. Some key interventions carried out by the Government and NGOs have served to disempower communities rather than empowering them. We’ll review lessons learned from these first 6 months in battling Ebola.
Experience is showing that equipping women to deal with family and community concerns without involving husbands is like teaching women to clap with one hand.
Community Health Evangelism equips communities through Christ-centered health and development. Thousands of highly participatory lessons empower less skilled trainers respond to most community interests and spiritual needs. New lessons deal with being a good husband and father, understanding how men’s leadership and leadership styles affects others, how to truly love your wife, how to earn your children’s respect, and men’s health issues.
