As the world prepares to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this Christmas season, it is an opportune time to reflect on the profound connection between this joyous occasion and the work of medical missions. While the nativity story is often associated with themes of love, compassion, and the miracle of Christ’s birth, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the call to serve those in need, particularly through healthcare initiatives. In this blog post, we will explore how the birth of Jesus at Christmas relates to medical missions and why this connection is so vital in today’s world.
The Nativity Story: A Message of Hope and Healing
The story of Jesus’ birth, as recounted in the Bible, is one of humility and purpose. Mary and Joseph, simple and faithful individuals, journeyed to Bethlehem, where there was no room for them in the inn. Jesus was born in a humble stable and laid in a manger, a symbol of God’s presence in the midst of poverty and simplicity. This narrative holds a profound message for medical missions:
Embracing Humility and Compassion The humility of Jesus’ birth encourages those serving in medical missions to approach their work with a similar spirit of humility. It reminds them that true healing often begins with a humble heart, a willingness to meet people where they are, and a deep sense of compassion for the suffering. Just as Jesus came to the world in a lowly manger, missionaries must strive to reach the marginalized and underserved, offering hope and healing to those who need it most.
The Call to Serve The birth of Jesus is a reminder of the Biblical call to serve others. In the nativity story, the angels proclaimed “good news of great joy” to the shepherds, inviting them to witness the Savior’s birth. Medical missionaries also see their work as a calling to share the good news of hope, health, and salvation with those in need. The mission field becomes a sacred space where medical professionals express their faith through healing.
A Symbol of God’s Presence Just as the manger symbolized God’s presence in the midst of poverty, illness, and despair, medical missions volunteers see themselves as vehicles of God’s love and healing grace. They strive to be a tangible expression of God’s presence in the lives of patients, offering not only medical treatment but also spiritual support and comfort. In doing so, they bring light into the darkest corners of the world!
The Healing Ministry of Jesus
Jesus’ ministry on earth was characterized by compassion and healing. He touched the lives of countless individuals, restoring sight to the blind, enabling the lame to walk, and even raising the dead. His ministry serves as a model for medical missions organizations, like Mission Partners For Christ, in several significant ways:
Healing as a Sign of God’s Kingdom Jesus’ healing miracles were not just acts of compassion; they were signs that pointed to the arrival of God’s kingdom. Those serving in medical missions also view their work as a means of ushering in God’s kingdom by alleviating suffering and demonstrating His love. Healing becomes a tangible expression of the gospel message.
The Wholeness of Body and Soul Jesus’ ministry emphasized the holistic nature of healing. He not only addressed physical ailments but also ministered to the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals. Missionaries offering medical care follow this example by providing comprehensive care that addresses not only the physical symptoms but also the spiritual well-being of patients.
Serving the Vulnerable and Marginalized Jesus’ ministry was particularly focused on reaching out to those who were marginalized and oppressed. Like Jesus, missionary volunteers prioritize serving the most vulnerable populations, including the poor, the displaced, and those without access to adequate healthcare. They work tirelessly to ensure that no one is left behind in their pursuit of healing.
The Nativity Scene: A Symbol of Unity and Inclusivity
The traditional nativity scene often includes various characters, such as Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi, and the animals, gathered around the infant Jesus. This diverse assembly of individuals from different backgrounds and social statuses reflects the inclusive nature of Christ’s message, which evangelical medical missionaries seek to emulate.
Breaking Down Barriers Just as the nativity scene brings together people from different walks of life, medical missions help to break down barriers and promote unity. Healthcare is a universal need that transcends cultural, ethnic, and religious boundaries. These missions create spaces where people of diverse backgrounds come together for a common purpose: healing and hope. And its in this common purpose that the gospel can be shared in word and in action.
A Message of Inclusivity The presence of the shepherds, who were considered lowly and marginalized in society, in the nativity story sends a powerful message of God’s inclusivity. Medical missionaries extend this message by providing care to those who are often overlooked and marginalized. They demonstrate that in the eyes of God, every life is valuable and worthy of healing.
The Role of the Magi The arrival of the Magi, who were foreigners and gentiles, at the nativity scene signifies that the message of Jesus is meant for all people, regardless of their background. Medical mission volunteers recognize their responsibility to reach out to those in need, sharing the love of Christ with people of all nations.
The birth of Jesus at Christmas serves as a profound reminder of the core values of evangelical medical missions. The nativity story embodies the principles of humility, compassion, calling, and inclusivity that are at the heart of these missions. By following the example of Jesus’ healing ministry and embracing the message of the nativity scene, medical missions continue to bring hope, healing, and the good news to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations around the world. This Christmas season, let us remember the deep connection between the birth of Jesus and the vital work of medical missions, and may it inspire us to support and participate in this life-changing ministry.
In the coming days, you will probably hear a lot about giving because next week is Giving Tuesday!
It’s a relatively recent holiday, starting in 2012 as a global movement to incorporate a day of giving into our yearly calendar. Here, in the USA, the timing of Giving Tuesday feels particularly apt. The day is sandwiched between two major holidays: Thanksgiving (a day to give thanks for all the blessings in our lives) and Christmas (a day to commemorate the greatest Blessing of all: the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ).
So let’s quickly dive into the Bible to see what it has to say to us about the act of giving.
Giving Is An Act Of Stewardship
A central belief of Christianity is that every good thing in our lives is a gift from God. This includes the extra money in our bank accounts. There are wonderful things that could be done to help others with that money, but the first step is to acknowledge that because the money came from God, it belongs to God. And because it belongs to God, it is important to think carefully about how best to use it for His purposes.
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms
Worship is not just about showing up in church on Sunday mornings and singing some hymns. Worship is an attitude (Romans 12:1-2). Worship is a way of life. Worship is about how we love Jesus and how we love others.
Whatever you do (including the act of giving) is absolutely an act of worship if it is done in the name of Jesus Christ.
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Giving to those in need is an act of service, but it is also an act of love. It is declaring that the people you choose to give your money and time to are worthy of God’s blessings. It is a declaration that they are beloved by God. In choosing to give to those who need it most, you are choosing to love.
And love, as Paul once taught us, is the fulfillment of the Law (Romans 13:8).
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Mission Partners For Christ Is In The Business of Changing Lives
Thanks to the generous donations of supporters, like you, Mission Partners For Christ has managed to do amazing things for people around the world. Here are just a couple of examples of what your generous donations have made possible:
We have partnered with Renew World Outreach to make the gospel more accessible than ever before. Long after we leave a location, our local partners can continue to share the gospel for many years to come via The Jesus Film Equipment. For a long time, accessibility to the Bible has been a major obstacle for many people due to illiteracy and vision problems, but now that obstacle has been overcome – thanks to God! Technology allows evangelists and missionaries to open doors to a whole new population through Jesus film equipment and audio Bibles.
For each location that Mission Partners For Christ serves, we leave behind the equipment necessary for our local missionary partners to continue to share the gospel long after we’re gone. The cost for this equipment starts at $1550.
Here are just a few pictures that capture the our evangelist partners as they share the gospel with the Jesus Film equipment:
Solar Audio Bibles allow African people to hear the Bible in their own languages. Our partner, MegaVoice, supplies us with all the solar audio Bibles we need to equip brand new believers with the Word of God. These are quite amazing inventions and allows people all over the world the ability to learn about God and grow in their faith in a way that simply wasn’t possible for so very long.
Each solar audio Bible starts at $50, and we bring many along with us at each of our medical mission trips. Your generous donations make it possible for us to continue to provide these at out medical outreach clinics.
Here are just a couple of pictures of the solar audio Bibles we take with us on each medical mission trip:
Here’s How You Can Help Today
Today is Giving Tuesday. 100% of the donations raised through this fundraiser go to the mission work; none of your contributions will go to our administrative cost, so you can rest assured that all of your money will go directly towards the work done in the mission field.
What’s more, your donations are tax-deductible!
You can donate directly to Mission Partners For Christ here on the website or through PayPal.
A Final Thought
To all those who make the generous choice to financially support Mission Partners For Christ, we want to take a moment to thank you. From the very bottom of our hearts, we appreciate the gifts you give so selflessly to support our work in medical missions.
It is not an exaggeration to say that lives are saved and changed for the better through the donations that you send; those who support our work financially are just as important as those who physically travel with us into the field.
If you’ve ever looked into going on a medical mission trip, you’ve probably wondered if the cost participants pay is worth it. The costs may be higher than other types of mission trips, but so are the benefits.
When you join a medical missions team, it’s normal for participants to pay for flights, accommodations, and food during the trip. Most organizations (but not us!) also ask participants to pay extra to cover the supplies needed to conduct medical exams or to leave with the patients.
But despite those expenses, there are three key reasons why medical missions trips are worth the cost:
1.Medical mission trips provide additional training for students outside of the regular classroom.
There are so many things that cannot be taught within the walls of a classroom. Some of the first people to sign-up for medical missions opportunities are students because they can finally use their knowledge in a situation that isn’t hypothetical. Students can not only see the global healthcare needs up close but also serve through hands-on experiences that make a difference! Now, this isn’t to say that volunteers should use a medical missions trip to experiment or put patients at risk by doing more than they’re trained to do. It’s simply an opportunity to experience more and serve those in need.
Medical mission trips have a transformational impact.
Short-term missions trips aren’t always equally beneficial between the communities served and the volunteers. The lasting transformations happen from building relationships, and that can’t always occur in a couple of weeks time. Of course, sharing the message of Jesus is the biggest gift you can give someone, but what’s impactful about short-term medical missions trips is that the few short weeks are enough time to change a person’s life spiritually and physically — leaving a transformational impact on those served.
Healthcare professionals can further develop their skills.
Certain diseases or medical needs are prevented in the states but still exist overseas. For example, thousands of people in Tanzania test positive for malaria each year.
In the US we often have more than enough resources and an optimal environment to treat patients. When volunteers put their skills to use in less than ideal conditions with little resources, they are developing their skill sets, providing great care, and gaining a positive learning experience in the process.
When the costs for a medical missions trip seems overwhelming, remember that there are ways to raise money such as crowdfunding and fundraising opportunities with organizations such as Volunteer Forever (https://www.volunteerforever.com/). Volunteer Forever offers scholarship opportunities that allow volunteers to serve on medical missions trips no matter the expense.
And when it comes down to it, what price would you put on offering life-saving preventions and interventions to people in need? Medical missions trips are always worth the cost.
Let’s talk about comfort zones. We all have them. They’re like the warm blanket we wrap ourselves up in when the world gets too scary or uncertain. But what if I told you that stepping out of your comfort zone could actually be one of the best things you could do for yourself? It’s true.
By pushing ourselves to try new things and take risks, we open ourselves up to a whole world of possibilities. We become more resilient, more adaptable, and more confident in our ability to handle whatever life throws our way. And what better way to step out of your comfort zone than by serving on a medical missions trip? Imagine being immersed in a culture that’s completely different from your own, working alongside healthcare professionals to care for those in need, and challenging yourself to grow and learn in ways you never thought possible.
It’s an experience that will change you forever.
What Is A Medical Mission Trip, Anyway?
At their core, medical missions trips are about providing healthcare and other essential services to communities in need.
They are typically organized by religious or humanitarian organizations and involve sending volunteers to areas of the world where medical care is limited or nonexistent. The purpose and goals of a medical missions trip are simple: to help people who are in need and to make a positive impact on the world while saying the love and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Volunteers who participate in these trips might help with everything from basic medical care and hygiene education to more complex procedures like surgeries and dental work. They might also work on infrastructure projects like building clinics or wells.
Ultimately, the goal is to provide support and resources that will help communities become more self-sufficient and improve their overall quality of life. It’s an incredibly rewarding experience that allows volunteers to use their skills and knowledge to make a tangible difference in the world.
At Mission Partners For Christ, our goals are to provide whatever medical treatment we can at our free healthcare clinics. We also offer free education of healthcare and hygiene. We also partner with other organizations to hand out important tools like The Shoe That Grows and eyeglasses to those who are in need.
The Benefits Of Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone
Trying new things and taking risks can be scary, but the benefits are worth it. Stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to personal growth and development in ways you never thought possible. It can help you become more confident, more resilient, and more open-minded. And when you push yourself to try new things, you might even discover new passions or talents that you never knew you had.
Perhaps you have found yourself at a crossroads in life, and you’re unsure of the direction you can take. A medical missions trip may be able to help you with this. Through exposure to a new country, new languages, new cultures, and the work done on medical missions trips, you may find that God is leading you somewhere.
Step Out Of Your Comfort And See What God Has In Store For You!
Maybe this is the motivation you need to go back to school to become a nurse or a dentist or some other kind of medical professional. Perhaps you’ll be inspired to seek out other missions-based opportunities so that you can more fully invest your time and your talents in the mission field. It could also be a time of re-evaluating your own life and your priorities once you see how others are living their own lives and how they follow Jesus in ways you may not have considered.
How Do Medical Mission Trips Help You Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone?
Serving on a medical missions trip can be one of the most transformative experiences of your life. It’s a chance to step out of your comfort zone and embrace a completely new way of living and serving. For many volunteers, this can be both exciting and challenging. Being in a new environment, working alongside people from different cultures and backgrounds, and facing unfamiliar medical issues can be daunting. However, it’s precisely these challenges that can push you to grow and develop in ways you never thought possible.
Volunteers on medical missions trips often face obstacles like language barriers, cultural differences, and limited resources. But through these challenges, they develop resilience, empathy, and problem-solving skills that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. Many past volunteers have shared stories about stepping out of their comfort zones on medical missions trips and coming back transformed. The lessons they learned on these trips can inform the choices they make moving forward both in professional and ministerial settings.
Ultimately, serving on a medical missions trip is an opportunity to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, embrace new experiences, and make a difference in the lives of those in need.
How to Prepare For Your Upcoming Medical Mission Trip
Preparing for a medical missions trip is a crucial part of ensuring a successful and impactful experience. As you get ready to embark on this journey, there are a few things you can do to help make the most of your time serving.
First and foremost, it’s essential to do your research. This means learning as much as you can about the community you’ll be serving and understanding the culture and customs of the area. Taking the time to learn some basic phrases in the local language can also go a long way in building relationships with the people you’ll be working alongside.
Mental and physical preparation is also key. Volunteering on a medical missions trip can be both physically and emotionally demanding, so it’s important to be in good health and to take care of yourself before and during your trip. This might mean getting enough rest, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods. It’s also important to mentally prepare yourself for the challenges you might face, whether it’s seeing patients with severe illnesses or working in unfamiliar conditions.
Don’t forget to do an internal inventory to see if you are properly prepared to serve in this way. A previous blog post listed the type of characteristics that are important for work in medical missions. Be sure to check it out to see if you’re a good fit.
By taking the time to prepare yourself and your team for your medical missions trip, you’ll be better equipped to make a positive impact and create meaningful connections with the community you’ll be serving.
God Will Transform Your Life When You Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone!
In conclusion, the benefits of stepping out of your comfort zone and serving on a medical missions trip are numerous. By taking risks and trying new things, you’ll develop important skills like resilience, empathy, and problem-solving. Serving on a medical missions trip can also open your eyes to new cultures, ideas, and perspectives, and allow you to make a meaningful impact on the world.
If you’re considering taking the leap and embarking on a medical missions trip, I encourage you to do so. It may be challenging, but it will undoubtedly be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Whether you’re a healthcare professional or simply someone who wants to make a difference, serving on a medical missions trip is an opportunity to challenge yourself, grow, and learn. So why wait? Take the first step today and begin your journey towards making a difference in the world.
You can check out our upcoming medical mission trips here.
Medical mission’s trips are a great opportunity to explore new cultures and serve people who are in desperate need of medical attention. Of course, medical mission’s trips always require some medical professionals on the team, but not everyone is required to have a medical background! In fact, many members of the team are students because they are able to get healthcare experience and — in some cases — receive class credit or volunteer hours they need for school.
Maybe you’re someone who is looking for some hands-on medical experience. Or, maybe you want to serve but need an organization to help you with the logistics. We would love to help!
Here are a few reasons why you should go on one of our trips:
You will grow closer to Jesus.
You will learn to see the world differently.
You will have to step outside of your comfort zone.
You will be following God’s command (Matthew 28:19-20)
We are confident that when you say “YES” to one of our trips, you are opening yourself up to the world-changing impact that God can give through you!
Are you looking for an opportunity to provide medical attention and education to communities in need? Go on a mission trip! Would you love the idea of shadowing local doctors and nurses and playing an essential role in someone’s care? Come on one of our trips! Do you want to plant the seed of the Gospel into the hearts of people who may have never heard of God’s saving love and grace? Join us on a mission’s trip!
Here on the blog, we have everything you need to know to prepare for your trip!
Did you know that the phrase, “Do not be afraid” is written (in one form or another) 365 times throughout the Bible. It’s almost as if God was trying to communicate something, isn’t it?
Something we hear a lot of from aspiring short-term missionaries is a theme of fear. People are afraid of the unknown. People are afraid of traveling to a place they’ve never been. People are afraid of how they might feel while on a trip.
There is a whole lot of anxiety wrapped up in the very idea of committing to a short-term medical missions trip. While that is very normal and understandable, we also want to encourage you to remember the overwhelming message found in the Bible: do not be afraid.
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
When fear strikes our hearts, it is easy to become stuck. It’s easy to allow that fear to block us from moving forward. This is because there is a message that fear is communicating to us at that moment: “you will not be safe. You must protect yourself by getting out of this situation.”
Fear has a way of convincing would-be medical missionaries that they will be better off not submitting that application. Fear is telling them that they will be safer staying at home. Fear also has a way comforting us by telling us that it is okay if we do not go; someone else will go and do the work instead.
Imagine if everyone allowed fear to stop them?
No hospitals would be built.
No doctors would exist to heal.
No one would go when the call rings out.
And souls will be left struggling with no access to healthcare, health education, clean water, etc… Worse still: there’d be no one to deliver the good news of the Gospel.
When we can give ourselves permission to push past the fear, we allow ourselves to also trust in the promises of God.
He will be with us wherever He calls us. He will be our greatest Supporter and Friend in the midst of all circumstances. He will be the One holding our hands as we walk out in faith in answer to His call.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” – Psalm 27:1
Fear can only exist in the dark; Fear occurs because we find ourselves caught in a moment of not-knowing. We can’t see what lies ahead for us. We don’t know, when we commit to a short term medical missions trip, if we will feel comfortable. We don’t know who we might meet or what opposition we might encounter to the gospel. There is a whole lot that we do not know.
But when we take a minute to breathe and really think through the root of our fear, we can also remember this beautiful promise found in Psalm 27: “The Lord is my light and salvation.”
Wherever we go, in obedience to God’s call, we are walking the light of God’s love and guidance. He is the one who holds tomorrow in the palm of His hand. We can trust that He will also guide us safely through the work He’s given us to do.
More than that, we know that God is preparing hearts who will be open to hearing the gospel and receiving the love of Christ that we offer through our health clinics. We may meet people who are not interested in the gospel, but we will also meet people who are longing to know that they are irrevocably loved by the Creator of Heaven and Earth.
Can you imagine how wonderful it will feel to get to be the one to deliver that message to people who are waiting to hear it?
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
In the end, we all have a choice: will we allow fear to hold us back? Or will we be the ones who step out in faith and trust that where God may be calling us, He will also be our Most Holy Protector?
This is not to say that the choice is an easy one to make. Of course it isn’t. We are merely human, and fear is a human emotion. A compelling one at that.
But we are also children of God. As such, we have a beautiful promise from our Heavenly Father that we can find our peace and hope in Him.
The more we choose to focus on our God and His promises to be with us, keep us safe, and give us peace, the less power fear has over us. We have a hope in God that we cannot find elsewhere.
So today, I want to encourage you: if you hear the voice of the Holy Spirit prompting you to join us on a medical mission trip, please follow that leading. Fear will always tell you to stay safe and stay home, but God is the only One who can promise our safety. If He calls you to it, He will also bring you through it.
Applications are closing soon for our next medical mission trip to Burundi. We still need doctors, nurses, dentists to volunteer to join us. We also need those without experience in the medical field. Everyone is welcome.
Is God calling you to join us in Burundi? The deadline to apply is April 30. You can get all the details for that trip here.
When you join a medical missions team, it’s normal for participants to pay for flights, accommodations, and food during the trip. Most organizations (but not us!) also ask participants to pay extra to cover the supplies needed to conduct medical exams or to leave with the patients. 
In the US we often have more than enough resources and an optimal environment to treat patients. When volunteers put their skills to use in less than ideal conditions with little resources, they are developing their skill sets, providing great care, and gaining a positive learning experience in the process.
