Content Resources

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.

Can short-term health care teams play a key role in indigenous Gospel movements? Come hear the incredible story of God’s indigenous-led movement in a corner of Asia and the important role that short-term teams played in its advancement. Join in a discussion of the dynamics of an effective short-term partnership that bolsters indigenous work. Understand the key aspects of an “opening doors” access strategy using mobile health and dental clinics. Identify advantages and pitfalls of short-term indigenous partnerships, key contributions of short-term health care workers, and the central role of prayer and encouragement in God’s kingdom work. Christ-centered health care teams can play a strategic role in promoting sustainable indigenous ministry and Gospel advancement.

The COVID 19 pandemic has many similarities to the early days of HIV/AIDS in Uganda when I worked with the National Control Program for AIDS while advising the Uganda Protestant Medical Bureau. Communication resource, scientific advances, technology, and knowledge have all advanced. This session will compare the two pandemics and present some observations and lessons learned, both professionally and spiritually, that might be applicable to this generation of healthcare professionals as they navigate a worldwide pandemic.

Historically, the vast majority of physicians who provide pediatric care on the mission field and other resource poor settings are not pediatricians. They are brave and innovative physicians who made the determination to make a difference, drawing on available resources. Every physician on the mission field wants to be equipped to deliver quality care that is Christ-centered, patient-focused, evidence based, and culturally sensitive. Recognizing that the leading causes of death in children worldwide are mostly preventable through basic public health interventions, the mission-minded physician is presented with the perfect intersection between clinical medicine and public health practice. In this session your confidence in treating pediatric illnesses and emergencies will be enhanced as you gain a better understanding of evidence-based protocols, using clinical cases drawn from Dr Ojuola’s many years of experience providing pediatric care in various resource-poor settings.

Exploring how the story line of the Bible is the theology of missions and how we take our part in that story. We all have a story--like a testimony, for instance--but how often do we think of how our personal stories are connected to the story of God's work in the world? In this session we will take a look at how the story of missions unfolds throughout the Bible and learn how each of can learn to internalize, communicate, and actively participate in that story. In other words, how to build and live out a Biblical Theology of Missions.

Spiritual warfare is an often misunderstood or neglected aspect in the preparation for missions. This session will briefly overview the Biblical understanding of spiritual warfare and examine how our Western worldview (which is not entirely Biblical) is often limited in addressing the broad needs present in a host culture. As some illnesses may be spiritual in their origins, an appropriate understanding and application of spiritual warfare can bring a comprehensive view to treating illness. Also, some basic weapons necessary to prevail in warfare will be presented.

This is a breakout session about sustainability in missions. When called into ministry, our passion to serve Christ and our love for people often motivate us to engage in God’s work with joy and excitement. As we hope to continue to serve the Lord and grow in our work, it is important to consider sustainability in ministry, when the work is hard, whether that be difficult work itself, disappointments, life challenges or even faith challenges. It is important to acknowledge difficulties and we may face, and consider how we can face challenges when they come. Together we will consider how God helps us sustain our faith for ministry when we are surprised by difficulties in ministry.

Faith Based Mental Health Care in Post Crisis Populations. Even when this abstract is being prepared during the active early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, signs of significant mental health problems are emerging not only in patients who have suffered with the disease, but in their families, colleagues, work associates, friends, and the health care workers that are active in prevention, sub acute care, acute care, rehabilitation care, and post pandemic phase of life changes. Strategies are already being developed for population surveillance and early intervention after the worst of the crisis has resolved. This session will address the strategies being developed during the pandemic for post pandemic care and what has been learned over the months following the peak of the pandemic

Whether or not they all identify as Christians like us, tens of thousands of Muslims from diverse corners of the Muslim world are transferring allegiance from Mohammed and the Qur'an to Messiah Jesus and His Kingdom. They welcome you and your medical skills to serve with them in the Muslim World. But what's your ultimate objective? Is it physically healed Muslims, a few of whom join churches? Or is it a Church Planting Movement among Muslims who transfer their allegiance to Jesus and then bring in His Kingdom? It's easy to focus on the former and pay too little attention to the latter. You'll learn of "Muslim Believers" who focus on both ... and how you can participate.