Resources for Missionary Reentry: Navigating the Transition Home

The old cliché reminds us that every journey begins with a single step. If you’re considering the role God has for you in Christian medical missions, that first step could be understanding what’s available. As you consider your calling to medical missions, along with your skills and passions, knowing your options can help you define God’s plans more clearly so you can move in the right direction.   Finding Your Place in Medical Missions The field of Christian medical missions continues to grow. As a result, the opportunities for those interested in pursuing Christian medical missions are expanding as well. Below are six great ways that you can help fulfill the Great Commission by plugging into Christian healthcare ministries.   16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:16-20   1. Short-Term Missions The simplest way to become involved in Christian medical missions is through a short-term trip. But don’t let the term “short-term” fool you. Whether you’re on the field for a week or a month, you can still make a long-term impact through the work you do.  To make that happen, keep two important things in mind. First, prepare well for your trip. While a prepared missionary can make a huge difference in people’s lives, an unprepared missionary can do a lot of damage to the ongoing work on the field. So, spiritually and professionally, prepare yourself to be as effective as possible. Second, go with an organization that emphasizes sustainability. In other words, pick a sending agency that has feet on the ground all the time, not just for a week or two every so often. There are mission organizations that serve many purposes, so finding the one that's right for you is important. That allows you to be a part of something bigger and ensures that others will be able to follow up on your efforts after you leave.     2. Long-Term Missions Some refer to this as “all-in” missions because it requires a calling and a commitment that goes beyond short-term experiences. Whether you’re thinking about Christian medical missions as a career or as an extended season of your life, long-term opportunities mean your world is going to change in major ways. As you think about the potential of long-term medical missions, focus on three phrases tied to the Great Commission. The first is God’s call. Make sure He is calling you to share the gospel and make disciples as a medical missionary. Next, lean into God’s power. On your own, you are not enough. But as Christ equips you, His power provides all you need to fulfill His plan for your life. Finally, recognize God’s presence. The truth is, He is always with you—even when you may not feel it. Take comfort in the reality that He will not leave you or forsake you.     3. Domestic Missions Not all the lost and hurting people are overseas. Millions right here at home need the hope and ministry provided by Christian medical missionaries. So, you can put your skills and passions to work without ever leaving the country. Many domestic medical missions organizations focus on helping the poor and marginalized residents of underserved areas. Some of these might live in urban areas, while others could be from rural regions. In every case, they are vulnerable and isolated from a variety of basic health care resources. So, whether you serve in a secular setting or a faith-based organization, domestic missions allow you to be Jesus’s hands and feet in a powerful way.     4. Marketplace Workers The apostle Paul was a religious scholar and a Christian missionary. But he was also a tentmaker who used this unique skill to open doors for ministry. Today, the job descriptions have changed, but the strategy of using “ordinary” careers to share the gospel has not. And, among such marketplace ministries, health care offers one of the widest avenues. That makes sense because people around the world need health care. And, in many nations, the need outpaces the availability of medical professionals. So, health care missionaries can step in the fill some of those gaps. What’s more, because of this great need, Christian medical missionaries can gain access to places traditional missionaries could never reach. So, you don’t necessarily have to choose between work and missions. As a marketplace missionary, you can use your God-given skills and your unique wiring to make a difference in the world.     5. Disaster Relief From the comfort of our homes, natural disasters can produce a mixture of pity and isolation. We feel bad for those who are affected, but the devastation can seem a million miles away. But, in reality, such disasters can provide incredible ministry opportunities for Christian medical missionaries. By their very nature, disasters create medical emergencies. As a result, those in Christian medical missions can be among the first responders on the scene. In addition, people tend to be more open to the gospel in times of crisis. At the very least, you can be the hands and feet of Jesus is an incredibly practical way by ministering to people at the darkest times of their lives.     6. Medical Education The apostle Paul once encouraged his friend Timothy to pass along all the things that he had shared with Timothy to others (2 Timothy 2:2). That way, the gospel would continue to move from generation to generation. While Paul was primarily talking about doctrine and faith issues, the principle of passing knowledge and experience also applies to other areas—including medical missions. Medical missionaries in other nations benefit from the education and experience that Christian medical missionaries can provide. It might be information that sharpens their minds, or it could be a procedure that enhances their skills. Ultimately, medical educators have the chance to connect students to great physicians.  Historically, mission endeavors grow as missionaries train indigenous people how to do the work on their own. Medical educators provide that through their teaching and ministry. It’s an important step toward passing the gospel on to future generations.   The time is now As you can see, you’ve got plenty of options when it comes to finding your fit in Christian medical missions. You have a world of awesome medical mission opportunities at your fingertips. Through spiritual disciplines like Bible study, prayer, and meeting with mentors, you can get a better handle on what God wants you to do and where He wants you to do it. Your journey awaits. It’s time to take the first step.   Discover Medical Missions. Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.  

Sometimes, God calls a person or group to stand in a gap. That's been a recurring theme in the history of World Medical Mission. A ministry of Samaritan's Purse, World Medical Mission has been sending medical professionals on mission trips around the globe for more than four decades—and the group has no intention of slowing down.   How Samaritan's Purse Started World Medical Mission In 1977, two brothers, who happened to be surgeons, were looking for an avenue to use their skills and talents on a short-term mission project. In an effort to find a good fit, they approached Franklin Graham, the founder of Samaritan's Purse. At the time, Samaritan's Purse did not sponsor medical missions trips, so Graham started looking for other groups that would meet the brothers' needs. However, the more he searched, Graham recognized a gap in the world of missions. So, he accepted the challenge of creating a place where doctors and other medical professionals could come for short-term missions placement. As a result, World Medical Mission was born. In time, the group became a partner organization with Global Health Missions Conference.   How World Medical Mission Serves  The ministry and mission of World Medical Mission are rooted in twin truths drawn from Luke 10:9 “Heal the sick who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near you.'"   Through short-term missions and other evangelistic endeavors, World Medical Mission seeks to promote the physical healing of those who are sick and suffering around the world, especially in underserved regions. However, medical healing is only part of the Luke 10 equation. They also seek intentional opportunities to share the gospel with individuals who need to hear it. They strive to let people know about the Great Physician and the kingdom of God that He has established. Through medical treatment and evangelism, World Medical Mission is able to treat the whole person. To fulfill this mission, World Medical Missions works through hospitals and clinics in several regions. These areas include Central and South America, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Europe, and the Middle East. In addition to matching medical professionals with short-term mission opportunities, the organization also provides a post-residency for individuals who are called to vocational medical missions. World Medical Missions also sponsors what are called "surgical subspecialty teams." Recognizing that many places in the world do not have access to quality surgical options, the subspeciality teams offer individuals the chance to have basic operations that can improve their quality of life and, in many cases, extend their lives. Surgeons also provide training to local medical professionals and may even provide mission hospitals with the equipment needed to strengthen their surgical services. Finally, World Medical Missions maintains a website called the International Health Forum. This site serves as an information clearinghouse for professionals and students who are interested in any number of medical missions endeavors. The webinars cover a variety of topics, which are categorized for easy access.   Why Mission Organizations Like This Matter The Ministry of World Medical Mission focuses on three primary tasks:   Sharing the Gospel. As noted, the medical services provided are a gateway to meeting the biggest need in people's lives. The gospel stands at the center of everything World Medical Mission does.   Support overworked staff. In mission hospitals and clinics around the world, demand usually exceeds supply. Short staffs mean long hours under difficult working conditions. The presence of short-term medical missionaries can provide relief to these overworked individuals.   Train future leaders. As with any mission endeavor, raising indigenous leaders is a key to effective ministry. Medical missions is no different. Along with providing extra sets of hands and feet, the volunteers who work with World Medical Mission also serve local medical professionals, helping them grow in their skills and become better practitioners for their patients.     Discover Medical Missions. Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.