Globally, 22% of under-fives—roughly 150m children—are malnourished to the point of stunting. This has devastating effects on human flourishing, both for these children and subsequent generations. This is just a reminder of the overwhelming physical needs of the world, especially among the poor. If we add in chronic disease and mental health needs, there is no shortage of opportunities to do good. But as Christians, where do we start?
Which opportunity?
If we look deeper, we find that the world’s physical and emotional needs are symptomatic of the social determinants of disease. As Christians who are called to live under God for the sake of others, we want to treat today’s problems and prevent tomorrow’s. Systemic social and cultural issues include violence, stealing, adultery, and idolatry – all of which go against God’s design for human beings. Government corruption is another leading cause of poor health.
Our opportunity, then, is to address humanity’s whole brokenness, not just its physical needs. Physical disease is a symptom of our deeper brokenness, especially our need for God. Our broken relationship with God undermines the entire human project. When sacred order pulls away from God, social order breaks down. Using Bible words, “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34)
The gospel does not remove us from the world but sends us into the world as servants of God for the sake of others. Rather than being overwhelmed and discouraged, we can be confident that even a cup of water given in Jesus’ name is significant. God’s means of blessing the world is through the good news of the gospel – which shows His generosity to the whole needs of man. He changes communities and brings about shalom, or wholistic health. Jesus changes men and women from the inside out. By dealing with sin, He changes our whole direction.
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Our opportunity in healthcare missions is to respond to Jesus’ call to bless the nations by addressing the whole person. This means gospel proclamation and gospel good works. Words and works together demonstrate the love of Christ for a hurting world.
Health professionals can’t care for health alone
We arrive at a problem. There will never be enough healthcare professionals to meet the world’s health needs, and there will never be enough pastors to meet spiritual needs. But even if there were enough of these sorts of “professionals,” could we do it in isolation from each other? Medical doctors and nurses can’t meet the needs of an entire community, and they shouldn’t try. Pastors certainly can’t meet a community’s spiritual needs, although they can help their flock become more missional. The healthcare needs of the world must drive us to collaborate. It will take all of us – from “professional” medical people to “professional” church leaders and teachers –to address human brokenness, sickness, and sin.
What if we could work together? Could medical professionals collaborate with pastors and Christian “lay” leaders to find new and creative ways of blessing the community? One person is good at logistics, another at giving a caring hand. One sees the big picture and another the details. We are made for each other. During the COVID pandemic, church leaders asked for training from medical people in SIM to reach out to individuals in the communities who had lost loved ones. We helped them marry the best of science with the gospel. This kind of cooperation helped equip ordinary believers – not just “professionals” for ministry.
Our opportunity is to move together into the space created by brokenness and bring redemption. The overwhelming health needs of the world are an opportunity to do what we are called to do, to glorify God in the world’s hardest places. We must find ways of breaking down barriers between medical mission and church mission, as well as barriers between mission from “here” and mission from “there.”
The ICMDA (International Christian Medical and Dental Association) fosters north-south relationships through fellowship and training, helping bridge the gap. The Lausanne Congress on World Evangelism is also focused on worldwide collaboration. We, as healthcare professionals, must not just focus on treating today’s needs but plan for tomorrow’s. Tomorrow’s needs are not only temporal but eternal.
To respond to our God-given call in the world, let’s seek leadership for a new mission collaboration. Rather than working in isolation, let’s build relationships of trust among those serving God – from doctors to pastors and mission leaders. Let’s build a table that brings health and mission together. Will you be at that table?
Leave a Reply