Comprehensive Health Ministry: Mission, Hope, and Healing Peter Landless, MB, Bch, Mmed, FCP (SA), FACC, FASNC The speaker does not have any relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests

“Lord, make him to be a missionary in the four corners of the earth.”

Which Passion? Question: Pastor or Physician? Answer: The Blended Ministry

The physician has pastoral opportunities and obligations

The Blended Ministry “The gospel ministers should preach the health principles, for these have been given of God... That as a people we might be prepared in both mind and body to receive the fullness of God’s blessing. The medical missionary work [i.e. health ministry] has its place and part in this closing gospel work.

The Blended Ministry “The Christian physician has a high calling. With his fuller knowledge of the human system and its laws, he is in a position to spread the gospel of salvation with much efficiency and power. “The first and chief object of the gospel and all that pertains to it is to seek and to save that which is lost. The ministry of the gospel whether by the minister or the physician, is to reach out to man a helping hand wherever it is needed. It is to minister to the sick and suffering physically as well as to the sin-sick soul.

The Blended Ministry “Here the gospel ministers and the Christian physician unite, and the Bible worker in her visit from house to house as well.” Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, Oct. 29, 1914.

The Blended Ministry “No line is to be drawn between the genuine medical missionary work and the gospel ministry. These two must blend. They are not to stand apart as separate lines of work. They are to be joined in an inseparable union, even as the hand is joined to the body.... A solemn dignity is to characterize genuine medical missionaries. They are to be men who understand and know God and the power of His grace.” Ellen G. White, Letter 102, 1900.

Not just programs and plans – Focus on our relationship with Jesus; to know Him, to experience His love and grace, and then become the conduit of these characteristics.

What does it require? Buy-in Collaboration Sacrifice of egos Willingness to learn from each other Following Christ’s method – mingling, caring, ministering to needs, winning confidence, encouraging others to follow Him.

Good Great

ACTION: “The dream gave Paul his map. He went to work at once getting things ready to cross over into Macedonia. All the pieces had come together. We knew now for sure that God had called us to preach the good news to the Europeans.” Acts 16:10 (The Message)

What does Comprehensive Health Ministry really look like? 1. Jesus is amongst us! Sick – cared for Hungry – fed Naked – clothed Sympathy Love Inclusivity

What does Comprehensive Health Ministry really look like? 2. Not a method – a ministry and a mission – “to make men whole”. 3. Concerned with wellness and wholeness as well as treatment of disease – preventive lifestyle initiatives. 4. Continuum of care – includes physical, social, mental and spiritual. (4 markers as listed by Dr. Lowell Cooper)

Every church a Health Center Christ’s method Mingling Sympathizing Meeting needs Winning confidence Sharing timeless spiritual truths

Foundations: The Bible Spirit of Prophecy Teachings Peer-reviewed evidence-based science (General Conference Working Policy)

A United Ministry Pastors Administrators Educators Health workers Every church member Various ministries We need each other!

Our Health Institutions In the 19 th century, E.G. White wrote with unmistakable foresight about the future of our healthcare institutions. “I saw that in an institution established among us, the greatest danger would be of its managers departing from the Spirit of the Present Truth, and from that simplicity which should ever characterize the disciples of Christ.” 1 Testimonies, page 560

“God forbid that these afflicted ones (patients) should ever be disappointed and grieved in finding the managers of the Institute working only from a worldly standpoint instead of adding to the hygienic practice the blessings and virtues of nursing fathers and mothers of Israel.”

“Let no one obtain the idea that the Institute is the place for them to come to be raised up by the prayer of faith. That is the place to find relief from disease by treatment and right habits of living, and to learn how to avoid sickness.” 1 Testimonies, page 561

“But if there is one place under the heavens more than another where soothing, sympathizing prayer should be offered by men and women of devotion and faith, it is at such an institution.” 1 Testimonies, page 561

A United Ministry “For in fact the body is not a single member, but many. If the foot says, ‘Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body’, it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. And if the ear says, ‘Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body’, it does not lose its membership in the body because of that. If the whole body were an eye, what part would do the hearing? If the whole were an ear, what part would exercise the sense of smell?” 1 Corinthians 12:14-17.

Our message Eternal life one day in Jesus. A more abundant life now. “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV) Be used of God to give it to the peoples of the world.

Together we can – and will – make a difference, now and for eternity, through the grace of God.