Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matt 4:23
For billions of people, access to safe, timely, and affordable healthcare is a distant hope, but in the face of this massive need, healthcare is a wonderful means of sharing Christ’s love.
More than half of the world’s population (about 4.5 billion people) lack full access to essential health services* but it presents a huge mission field for Serving In Mission as compassionate medical care serves as a bridge to share the good news about Jesus.
Serving in places where hospitals are scarce and access to safe and affordable medical care is limited, our cross-cultural workers are called to use their expertise and knowledge as a bridge to point others to Jesus, as they seek to heal both the body and soul.
Through the practice of good medicine, prayer, caring treatment, and training, physical and spiritual needs are met.
Serving In Mission has hospital and healthcare service partners in countries throughout the world and today, 250 medical professionals are working in 36 hospitals and clinics, as well as nearly 50 programmes focused on the health of communities, or specific vulnerable groups.
As well as partnering with hospitals, other mission teams, and churches, our workers develop and take part in outreach ministries that lead to church planting, disciple-making and good Bible teaching for those living in rural communities.
While SIM’s medical mission workers serve in a variety of roles, together, they’re a testimony to Christ’s love as they use their skills and experience to have a lasting impact on the lives of people living in places without the hope of the gospel.
The rejected
Sixty years ago, SIM started a leprosy centre in Danja, Niger, to provide compassionate care and healing for people suffering from the chronic disease.
Today, what started as a leprosy mission has grown into a multi-purpose health centre that reaches out to the neglected and rejected communities of rural Niger, including including those from two of the country’s least-reached peoples, the Hausa and Fulani.
Many former patients have come to faith at Danja, such as Abdou, who received treatment for three years: “I felt accepted and loved. The nurses would touch me; they would care for me, and I had a family. I was healed and because of the hospital, I met Jesus.”
Abdou’s new life flourished and he became confident enough to learn French, which enabled him to become a professional translator that helps him support his family.
The ostracised
Disabled children and their families face significant stigma and shame in Ethiopia and because of this stigma, children are kept at home with no opportunity for physical rehabilitation. Hidden Abilities is a long-standing SIM project that provides practical help and hope for disabled children and their families.
The centre offers physiotherapy and occupational therapy and doesn’t charge any of the families who attend, helping the poorest with food, medical and education expenses, and sometimes paying school fees or buying uniforms and books. It’s a place where families are welcomed, respected, and cherished and parents can discover their child’s hidden abilities.
The homeless
In one South Asian country, there are many homeless and destitute women who’ve been left without any means to take care of themselves or their children.
However, a SIM ministry is showing how God’s love brings hope and restoration as it empowers mothers to forge a new path for themselves and their families.
The Children’s Uplift Programme (CUP) extends hope to at-risk women by providing a safe space for them and their children as they’re trained to find good employment and a way out of poverty and desperation. As CUP walks alongside mothers, it takes care of their children by providing healthcare, food, and schooling.
The poor
In 1950, SIM opened Galmi Hospital on the south edge of the Sahara Desert in Niger — one of the world’s poorest countries where there’s no nationalised healthcare — treating up to 300 men, women and children at the outpatient clinics each day. It’s also the only hospital in the country that provides emergency, life-saving care without requiring payment upfront.
Last year, SIM celebrated 100 years of ministry in Niger, giving thanks for how God’s using this 180-bed hospital to help thousands of Nigeriens from all walks of life and to give them hope as every patient has the opportunity to hear the gospel message.
The hospital also serves as a training center for surgical residents from several African countries where there’s a critical shortage of physicians.
Good news for everyone
For the past seven years, SIM UK’s Ted Watts and his wife Rachel, a paediatrician, have worked at the Good News Hospital, Madagascar, which is part of a project seeking to make the good news of Jesus known in Mandritsara, and beyond.
The mission hospital lies in a remote town in the northern hills of the island and it’s where Ted first went during his elective as a medical student: “It’s where my call to medical mission really got going and I was struck by the model of mission at Mandritsara, where every member of staff is a Christian, committed to proclaiming the gospel and to the delivery of high-quality medical care.”
For 25 years, the hospital’s been a beacon of hope in Madagascar — one of the world’s poorest nations — and God has provided and grown his work in amazing ways over the years.
“We’ve been privileged to see a number of patients responding in faith and to see them embracing not only a new life physically, but a new eternal life,” says Ted, who’s supported by Beeston Free Church.
Today, the hospital provides a training programme for Malagasy surgeons alongside surgery, maternity, paediatrics and ophthalmology.
“The eye team plays a vital role in outreach in the area, meeting physical needs alongside our team of evangelists to share the gospel and to plant churches,” explains Ted.
However, medical ministries are by no means only medical, and the project’s latest plan is to upgrade the hospital radio station that broadcasts gospel programmes seven days a week.
“Mandritsara is a very mountainous region, and currently only 50% of the population of the district can receive our programmes,” explains Ted. “The plan is to build new facilities and increase its current reach to 80% by placing the transmitter and antenna in a higher location. The new building will include a live studio (to produce Christian music in the local Tsimihety language), production spaces and an office with much better sound-proofing.
“The radio is an incredible support to Christians in remote areas, a training resource for village pastors, and a way for many to hear the good news of Jesus for the first time.”
Please pray
- For the sick to receive the treatment they need and to turn to the Great Healer, Jesus, in their suffering.
- For the Lord to uphold all SIM healthcare workers as they proclaim Jesus and make disciples through their compassionate ministries.
- Praise God for progress with the new radio project.
Raising awareness
In 2020, SIM UK couple Victor and Rachel Fredlund founded ‘Ngithume Nkosi’ (Send Me Lord’ in Zulu) to encourage healthcare professionals into mission from the South African churches they’ve worked amongst during their many years of service.
In addition to raising awareness for medical missions, the project aims to match people with short- and long-term medical ministry opportunities in South Africa, surrounding countries, and around the world – wherever there are people who still need to hear about the healing power of Christ, both in the present and for eternity.
Search opportunities to serve
Medical ministry opportunities are available in community-based programmes, as well as in hospitals and clinics, and include a broad range of healthcare professions.
Is God leading you to serve with your unique healthcare skills and move overseas? Go to sim.co.uk/serve or email [email protected] to take the next step.
*The 2023 Universal Health Coverage Global Monitoring Report