Content Resources

1. Mixing healthcare with politics: medical service opportunities in China All official services in this and many other countries are part of a broader plan, designed to support the goals of the government. Come join this discussion of how Christian medical professionals can contribute significantly and bring blessing without compromising on our core values. 2. Mixing healthcare with politics: public health opportunities in China All official services in this and many other countries are part of a broader plan, designed to support the goals of the government. Come join this discussion of how Christian public health professionals can contribute significantly and bring blessing without compromising on our core values.

Have you ever wondered how to find or know God's will? Have you ever asked, "How do I know if God is 'calling' me into missions?" We've all asked those questions at one time or another, and maybe constantly! In this session we will take a look at how the Bible teaches us about knowing and discerning God's will, and how God guides us as we seek to follow Christ. It's less like a blueprint and more a call to faithfulness.

Jesus commanded us to heal the sick and to make disciples. In this session I will teach you how I use a story-telling format to share the gospel, and share stories of healing and human needs ministries that were paired with disciple-making. These stories are taken from twenty-five years of medical missions experience among unreached peoples.

Have you longed to integrate your Christian faith into your patient care – on the mission field abroad, in your work at home, and during your training? Not sure how to do this in a caring, ethical, sensitive, and relevant manner? This “working” session will explore the ethical basis for spiritual care plus provide you with profession, timely, and practical methods to care for the whole person in the clinical setting.

Nurses and other members of the healthcare team who serve on the mission field have the chance to be the hands and feet of Jesus as they care for the whole person. They have the opportunity to touch the untouchable, love the unloved, and be with people from a variety of backgrounds, in the same way that Jesus did. Serving others is sacred work, by showing compassion, grace, and humility with power from the Holy Spirit. People are sometimes on a search for their purpose, so this session will examine the ways nurses and other healthcare professionals can use their discipline, and all the gifts and talents the Lord gave them, to build relationships, serve others, and provide honor and dignity in a cross-cultural context. The importance of a solid spiritual foundation will be included, and culturally appropriate approaches to health promotion strategies will be explored. Some of the ways cultural values and beliefs influence healthcare practices will also be discussed. And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send Me” (Isaiah 6:8)

In this session we will look at several clinical tropical diseases seen in nationals and expatriate travelers. Real clinical cases and research studies will be described as unknowns. The challenge will be to recognize various travel related illnesses and making a diagnosis. We will explore cases of fever, skin rash, abdominal complaints, and some emerging tropical diseases around the world.

The Art of Ministering to Muslims by Telling Bible Stories

Jericho Road is a Christian federally qualified community health center in Buffalo , NY that provides care to marginalized and vulnerable populations , including many refugees from over 80 nations. Since 2009 Jericho Road has followed some of their refugee friends back home to their countries of origin and have helped them start and operate health centers that also serve the most vulnerable. Today Jericho Road operates health centers in Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of Congo and Nepal. Each of these health centers is led and operated by local folks from those countries. By empowering local leaders Jericho Road in Buffalo has been richly blessed and our ability to demonstrate the love of Jesus has been enhanced. This workshop will focus on the lessons we have learned along the way.

While recognizing the medical limitations in the developing world, one must also capitalize on the "assets" present there. "Specialists" are rare, unavailable, and/or too expensive for most of the poor, disabled people. "State-of-the-art", while the aspiration of the west, is usually unavailable in the developing world. How do we capitalize on the assets and provide a reasonable alternative for the numerous disabled of the developing world? Some African countries have modified their medical approach and have found their solutions in alternative medical practitioners with less training and credentials but sufficient skills and judgment to reasonably meet the needs of many of the disabled. Some of these objectives were achieved in a mission hospital in Africa not because it was the first choice, but it was seemingly the only choice. Now, at that facility, a higher level of care has been achieved. However, can such a model be replicated in other settings in Africa?

Today opportunities abound to teach healthcare professionals and students in all parts of the world. Medical missions hospitals are increasingly focused on providing advanced training for local professionals. Short term teams can often meet requests for specialized training in particular skills and topics. Speaking or teaching cross-culturally requires the speaker to consider how to effectively communicate their topic to those from a different language and culture. This session gives practical advice on preparing the session and working with translators and interpreters.

Diagnostic uncertainty can add significantly to the stresses associated with caring for patients in resource-limited circumstances. With ultrasound technology advancing rapidly, it has become more portable and accessible by many in the field. We will discuss the potential uses of ultrasound in helping identify causes of hypoxemia or shock and discuss the ability to image organ systems that you may not have considered. Hopefully, this session will provide a glimpse into ultrasound imaging capabilities to help improve your diagnostic certainty both here and abroad.

This session will review the most common medical considerations you should be aware of before traveling on a short-term medical mission trip. I will review common malaria prophylaxis medications, immunizations, treatment of traveler’s diarrhea as well as other tips and tricks to know. This session is ideal for those with minimal international travel experience.