Introduction
For nearly 40 years the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement has perhaps been THE most effective mobilizing tool for getting Christians involved in the mission of God. But this excellent course speaks little about the contributions of those who have been and are presently involved in what has traditionally been called “medical missions.” We prefer the term “ministries of health, healing and wholeness,” as this more fully represents what we believe God has called the global Church to be involved in. That calling is to bring people from every nation (ethne) into a healthy relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah.
The “Outlook in the Christian Global Health Movement: A course to educate and mobilize the Church to bring healing to the nations,” fills the gap left in the Perspectives course by highlighting the ministries of health, healing and wholeness.
God’s original design was that Adam and Eve were to continually experience complete health in the Garden of Eden. There was no death or disease in His original plan. But man decided he knew better than God and that he wanted to be like God, knowing good and evil. The result? Death, suffering and dis-ease entered the world. No longer were the minds of Adam and Eve at complete peace with their Lord. Now when God sought out the man and the woman they became fearful, and for the first time in history dis-ease became the norm for humans. Childbirth would become painful and undoubtedly a bit stress-inducing for the woman. Some would die from complications of childbirth. Now in pain and by the sweat of his brow would the man have to struggle to eat and sustain himself and his family.
The world now experiences the fallout from this catastrophic decision of Adam and Eve. Death and destruction seem to rule the day. Satan seems to be winning. Children still die needlessly from easily prevented illnesses. Mothers still die from complications of childbirth on a regular basis in the majority of the world. Malaria, TB and any number of preventative diseases still ravage large parts of the world. Now non-communicable diseases are increasing quickly on a global scale. No one can predict with accuracy the full impact of obesity, diabetes and hypertension on the world in the future. Globalization/Westernization of the world brings an entirely new set of challenges to those involved in dealing with Global Health challenges.
Into this overall picture of ill health God has planted His Church, which has been involved in ministries of health, healing and wholeness from its beginning. Borrowing from the introduction to the Perspectives course:
“The point of this course is not to persuade you to become a (“medical”) missionary. Neither is it to train you in skills you need to serve as a missionary. The point of exposing you to many of the practicalities and challenges is to persuade you of the feasibility and to set you on a path of ongoing learning to plan your part wisely and well.”
The foundation of this course is the belief that God desires His people to live full and meaningful lives of health and wholeness. What’s more, He expects that as His people are blessed with healthy lives they will be compelled to be a blessing to all peoples so that they too might experience the peace (Shalom) of God in their own lives and communities.
We are convinced that God has a “world-sized” role for every Christian in His global purpose. He is enlisting His followers to lead lives that utilize the gifts and knowledge that God has given them to partner with Him in his Kingdom-building activity.
Basic outline for this course:
For nearly 40 years the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement has perhaps been THE most effective mobilizing tool for getting Christians involved in the mission of God. But this excellent course speaks little about the contributions of those who have been and are presently involved in what has traditionally been called “medical missions.” We prefer the term “ministries of health, healing and wholeness,” as this more fully represents what we believe God has called the global Church to be involved in. That calling is to bring people from every nation (ethne) into a healthy relationship with God through Jesus the Messiah.
The “Outlook in the Christian Global Health Movement: A course to educate and mobilize the Church to bring healing to the nations,” fills the gap left in the Perspectives course by highlighting the ministries of health, healing and wholeness.
God’s original design was that Adam and Eve were to continually experience complete health in the Garden of Eden. There was no death or disease in His original plan. But man decided he knew better than God and that he wanted to be like God, knowing good and evil. The result? Death, suffering and dis-ease entered the world. No longer were the minds of Adam and Eve at complete peace with their Lord. Now when God sought out the man and the woman they became fearful, and for the first time in history dis-ease became the norm for humans. Childbirth would become painful and undoubtedly a bit stress-inducing for the woman. Some would die from complications of childbirth. Now in pain and by the sweat of his brow would the man have to struggle to eat and sustain himself and his family.
The world now experiences the fallout from this catastrophic decision of Adam and Eve. Death and destruction seem to rule the day. Satan seems to be winning. Children still die needlessly from easily prevented illnesses. Mothers still die from complications of childbirth on a regular basis in the majority of the world. Malaria, TB and any number of preventative diseases still ravage large parts of the world. Now non-communicable diseases are increasing quickly on a global scale. No one can predict with accuracy the full impact of obesity, diabetes and hypertension on the world in the future. Globalization/Westernization of the world brings an entirely new set of challenges to those involved in dealing with Global Health challenges.
Into this overall picture of ill health God has planted His Church, which has been involved in ministries of health, healing and wholeness from its beginning. Borrowing from the introduction to the Perspectives course:
“The point of this course is not to persuade you to become a (“medical”) missionary. Neither is it to train you in skills you need to serve as a missionary. The point of exposing you to many of the practicalities and challenges is to persuade you of the feasibility and to set you on a path of ongoing learning to plan your part wisely and well.”
The foundation of this course is the belief that God desires His people to live full and meaningful lives of health and wholeness. What’s more, He expects that as His people are blessed with healthy lives they will be compelled to be a blessing to all peoples so that they too might experience the peace (Shalom) of God in their own lives and communities.
We are convinced that God has a “world-sized” role for every Christian in His global purpose. He is enlisting His followers to lead lives that utilize the gifts and knowledge that God has given them to partner with Him in his Kingdom-building activity.
Basic outline for this course:
- The Biblical basis for “health in mission.”
- Historical perspective
- Cultural aspects
- Present and future strategies
