MEDICAL MISSIONARY

Ellen White went so far as to assert that “soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work” (White 1951:533), which means to combine teaching with healing. Notwithstanding this clear counsel to integrate health ministry with evangelistic ministry, many ministers do not do so.

 MEDICAL MISSIONARY

Q. What is meant by Medical Missionary?

A. The true medical missionary is a teacher, giving instruction in the principles of healthful living, using “a knowledge of physiology and hygiene” as “the basis of all educational effort.” Education 195.

Medical missionary work is the gospel in action. A call to medical mission­ary service is a call to practice the principles of the gospel. This call is all-inclusive. It is a call not only to physicians and nurses, but to every member of the church.

It is important that we understand that one does not become a medical missionary until he unites both sides of the Pattern. A medical missionary ministers to the diseases of both soul and body.

AIM FOR HEALTH REFORMER:

Q. Who are called for ?

A. "We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar (a poor and disease) house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truth that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realise their responsibility to impart these truths. Those who have been enlightened by the truth are to be light bearers to the world. To hide our light at this time is to make a terrible mistake. . . .7 Testimonies, p. 62

All gospel workers should know how to give the simple treatments that do so much to relieve pain and remove disease.—Ministry of Healing, 146.

God is calling Bible workers, and other consecrated laymen of varied talent who have a knowledge of present truth, to consider the needs of the unwarned cities. There should be one hundred believers actively engaged in personal missionary work where now there is but one. Time is rapidly passing. There is much work to be done before satanic opposition shall close up the way. Every agency must be set in operation, that present opportunities may be wisely improved.—Medical Ministry, 248.

" God will use men who are willing to be used. It is not the most brilliant or the most talented persons whose work produces the greatest and most lasting results. Men and women are needed who have heard a message from heaven. The most effective workers are those who respond to the invitation, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me." Ministry of Healing, 150.

"God's people are to be genuine medical missionaries. They are to learn to minister to the needs of soul and body." Welfare Ministry,127.

"Missionary nurses who care for the sick and relieve the distress of the poor will find many opportunities to pray with them, to read to them from God's word, and to speak of the saviour.."Counsels on Health,388.

"Mothers, especially, should know how to care for their families in both health and sickness.”—Ministry of Healing, 237

“Take time to read to your children from the health books, as well as from the books treating more particularly on religious subjects . ."

7 Testimonies, 64- 65. 

“Let our ministers who have gained an experience in preaching the Word, learn how to give simple treatments, and then labor intelligently as medical missionary evangelists.”—Counsels on Health, 397.

 And thus should our physicians labor. They are doing the Lord’s work when they labor as evangelists, giving instruction as to how the soul may be healed by the Lord Jesus. Every physician should know how to pray in faith for the sick, as well as to administer the proper treatment.

“As the canvasser (colporteur) goes from place to place, he will find many who are sick. He should have a practical knowledge of the causes of disease, and should understand how to give simple treatments, —Counsels on Health, 463-464.

God will use men who are willing to be used. It is not the most brilliant or the most talented persons whose work produces the greatest and most lasting results. Men and women are needed who have heard a message from heaven. The most effective workers are those who respond to the invitation, "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me." Ministry of Healing, 150.

Q. Why medical missionary?

 A. The medical missionary work is a door through which the truth is to find entrance to many homes in the cities.—Counsels on Health, 556.

Restoration of the body prepares the way for the restoration of the soul.“The world has departed far from true principles of restoration and health. Perverted appetite and base passion have taken control of the minds of many. Satan can find access to the soul through perverted appetite, to debase and destroy it. 

"Remember that the restoration of the body prepares the way for the restoration of the soul." Medical Ministry,240

 Medical Ministry, p. 238.

 “The right hand is used to open doors through which the body may find entrance. This is the part the medical missionary work is to act. It is to largely prepare the way for the reception of the truth for this time.”

God has shown that health reform is as closely connected with the third angel's message as the hand is with the body." Counsels on Diet and Foods, 71-72,

MEDICAL MISSIONARY WORK IS TO BE BOUND UP WITH THE MESSAGE, AND SEALED WITH SEAL OF GOD. WELFARE MINISTRY 121

 “I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work”Evangelism, p. 523.

THERE SHOULD BE ONE HUNDRED BELIVERS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN PERSONAL MISSIONARY WORK WHERE NOW THERE IS BUT ONE. TIME IS RAPIDLY PASSING. THERE IS MUCH WORK TO BE DONE BEFORE SATANIC OPPOSITION SHALL CLOSE UP THE WAY. EVERY AGENCY MUST BE SET IN OPERATION, THAT PRESENT OPPORTUNITIES MAY BE WISELY IMPROVED. MEDICAL MINISTRY, 248

"We are told that in time of trouble "there will be sick ones, plenty of them, that will need help" so because of the need, but also "for their own sake, they should, while they have opportunity, …Evangelism, p. 523.

“Often the relief of their physical needs is the only avenue (way) by which they can be approached.”—Welfare Ministry, 126.

There is a time coming when commandment-keepers can neither buy nor sell. Make haste to dig out your buried talents.. Historical Sketches of the Foreign Missions of the Seventh-day Adventists, 292

The world has departed far from true principles of restoration and health. Perverted appetite and base passion have taken control of the minds of many. Satan can find access to the soul through perverted appetite, to debase and destroy it. 

Q. Why it is was given to us ( Remnant Church)?

A. Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel, the door through which the truth for this time is to find entrance to many homes. God's people are to be genu­ine medical missionaries; for they are to learn to minister to the needs of both soul and body. The purest unselfish­ness is to be shown by our workers as, with the knowledge and experience gained by practical work, they go out to give treat­ments to the sick. As they go from house to house they will find access to many hearts. Many will be reached who otherwise never would have heard the gospel message. Welfare Ministry,125

The Place of Herbs in Rational Therapy, p. 29.

 "The truth for this time, the third angel's message, is to be proclaimed with a loud voice as we approach the great final test. This test must come to the churches in connection with true medical missionary work." We are told that in time of trouble "there will be sick ones, plenty of them, that will need help" so because of the need, but also "for their own sake, they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention and cure, and those who will do this will find a field of labor anywhere."

" God has shown that health reform is as closely connected with the third angel's message as the hand is with the body." Counsels on Diet and Foods, 71-72,

Medical missionary work is the right hand of the gospel. It is necessary to the advancement of the cause of God. As through it men and women are led to see the importance of right habits of living, the saving power of the truth will be made known. Every city is to be entered by workers trained to do medical missionary work. As the right hand of the third angel’s message, God’s methods of treating disease will open doors for the entrance of present truth.—Testimonies for the Church 7:59

Q. When should we start?

A. Workers—gospel medical missionaries—are needed now. You cannot afford to spend years in preparation. Soon doors now open to the truth will be forever closed. Carry the message now. Do not wait, allowing the enemy to take possession of the fields now open before you. Let little companies go forth to do the work to which Christ appointed His disciples.... Let them pray for the sick, ministering to their necessities, not with drugs, but with nature's remedies, and teaching them how to regain health and avoid disease.—9 Testimonies 172

"We have no time to lose. The end is near. The passage from place to place to spread the truth will soon be hedged with dangers on the right hand and on the left. Everything will be placed to obstruct the way of the Lord's messengers, so that they will not be able to do that which it is possible for them to do now, we must look our work fairly in the face, and advance as fast as possible in aggressive warfare." Evangelism,30-31

"If ever it has been essential that we understand and follow right methods of teaching and follow the example of Christ, it is now." Evangelism, 53

" Today the same needs exist. The world is in need of workers who will labor as Christ did for the suffering and the sinful." Welfare Ministry, 54

“Young men and young women, gather a stock of knowledge. Do not wait until some human examination pronounces you competent to work, but go out into the highways and hedges, and begin to work for God. Use wisely the knowledge you have. Exercise your ability with faithfulness, generously imparting the light that God gives you. Study how best to give to others peace and light and truth and the many other rich blessings of heaven. Constantly improve. Keep reaching higher and still higher..... Seek the Lord most earnestly, that you may become more and more refined, more spiritually cultured. Then you will have the very best diploma that anyone can have—the endorsement of God.”—7 Testimonies, 281.

Q. Where to start?

“The first great business of your life is to be a missionary at home.”—4 Testimonies, 138.

“Our households must be set in order, and earnest efforts must be made to interest every member of the family in missionary enterprises.." Christian Service, 207.

Wherever you are, you can begin at once. Opportunities are within the reach of everyone. Take up the work for which you are held responsible—the work that should be done in your home and in your neighborhood. Wait not for others to urge you to action. In the fear of God go forward without delay, bearing in mind your individual responsibility to Him who gave His life for you.”—Counsels on Health, 425-426.

Q. What can we learn from Jesus?

 “During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching.

He was like a vital current, diffusing life and joy. Ministry of Healing, p. 19-20.

Christ method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Saviour mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, "Follow Me." Ministry of Healing, 143

"Make Christ's work your example. constantly He went about doing good- feeding the hungry and healing the sick. No one who came to Him for sympathy was disappointed." Welfare Ministry, 53

" Christ stands before us as a pattern Man, the great Medical Missionary- an example for all who should come after." Welfare Ministry. 53

"What a busy life He led... Wherever He went, He carried blessing." Ministry of Healing, 24

"Wherever He went health sprang up, and happiness followed wherever He passed." Welfare Ministry, 57

 “The Saviour made each work of healing an occasion for implanting divine principles in the mind and soul. This was the purpose of His work. He imparted earthly blessings, that He might incline the hearts of men to receive the gospel of His grace.”

"If we would have the true missionary spirit, we must be imbued with the love of christ; we must look to the Author and Finisher of our faith, study His character, cultivate His spirit of meekness and humility, and walk on His footsteps," Welfare Ministry, 55

Q. Where to enroll Medical Missionary? or

How to receive training?

A. 1. Study the Word of God, the Bible 

—“There is very precious work to be done in connection with the interests of the sanitarium and school at Loma Linda; and this will be done when all work to that end. The Word of God is to be our lesson book.”—Medical Ministry, 59. 

“From the study of the Word of life, students may come forth with minds expanded, elevated, ennobled. If they are, like Daniel, hearers and doers of the Word of God, they may advance as he did in all the branches of learning. Being pure-minded, they will become strong-minded. Every intellectual faculty will be quickened. They may so educate and discipline themselves that all within the sphere of their influence shall see what man can be, and what he can do, when connected with the God of wisdom and power.”—Ministry of Healing, 466.

2. Study of Jesus life- and medical wisdom

“Make the life of Christ your constant study, and labor as He did, following His example.”—Welfare Ministry, 128

“The book, Ministry of Healing, may do the same work for our sanitariums and health institutions that Christ’s Object Lessons has done for our schools. This book contains the wisdom of the Great Physician.”— 9 Testimonies, 71.

3. The home school-

“Many who desire to obtain knowledge in medical missionary lines have home duties that sometimes prevent them from meeting with others for study.... Fathers and mothers, obtain all the help you can from the study of our books and publications . . Take time to read to your children from the health books, as well as from the books treating more particularly on religious subjects. Teach them the importance of caring for the body—the house they live in...." counsels on Health 427.

“Parents should seek to interest their children in the study of physiology..."Counsels on Health, 428.

Mothers, (home missionary) especially, should know how to care for their families in both health and sickness.”—Ministry of Healing, 237. 

4. Local Church-

“The medical missionary work should be a part of the work of every church in our land.”—Counsels on Health, 514.

“Pastors and teachers are to work intelligently in their lines, instructing church members how to work in medical missionary lines.  When the professed followers of Christ have an indwelling Saviour, they will be found doing as Christ did. They will have no opportunity to rust through inaction.”—Welfare Ministry, 123

5. Medical missionary school at camp meeting and other large gatherings:

“At our large gatherings, instruction should be given upon health and temperance. Counsels on Health, 449.

“At the camp meeting, instruction on health topics should be given to the people.."—Counsels on Health, 467.

“On such occasions as our annual camp meetings we must never loose sight of the opportunities afforded for teaching the believers how to do practical missionary work in the place where they may live. 9 Testimonies, 82-83.

6. Country Sanitariums-

“The Lord calls upon our young people to enter our schools and quickly fit themselves for service. In various places, outside of cities, schools are to be established, where our youth can receive an education that will prepare them to go forth to do evangelical work and medical missionary work.”—“—Counsels on Health, 395.

“From our sanitariums trained workers are to go forth into places where the truth has never been proclaimed, and do missionary work for the Master.”— Medical Ministry, 323.

There is a way in which many doors will be opened to the missionary. Let him become intelligent in the case [care] of the sick, as a nurse, or learn how to treat disease, as a physician; and if he is imbued with the spirit of Christ, what a field of usefulness is opened before him! MMis January 1 1981 par 7

Q. What was the commission given to His disciples? 

Physical healing is bound up with the gospel commission. When Christ sent His disciples out on their first missionary journey, He bade them, "As ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have re­ceived, freely give." Matt. 10:7, 8.