Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
Menu
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Your state news
  • Request a free trial

IMB’s MedAdvance 2022 spotlights risks, blessings in medical missions

  • June 27, 2022
  • International Mission Board
  • International Mission Board, Latest News, Medical Issues, Missions
Matthew and Amanda Waldraff, IMB missionaries in the Americas, present mission opportunities to MedAdvance attendees. The affinity marathon times were one of the highlights of the MedAdvance conference. Attendees heard about opportunities for healthcare missions in each of the IMB’s eight geographic areas of focus.
(IMB Photo)

IMB’s MedAdvance 2022 spotlights risks, blessings in medical missions

Nick is a pediatric nurse practitioner. He also serves as a missionary, formerly in Ukraine.

Before the war broke out, he used his gifts, talents and passion for medicine in underserved areas affected by the smaller ongoing conflict. In addition to helping with church-planting efforts, he partnered with established churches to offer clinics for the community. Now, living outside Ukraine, he partners with Baptist unions in bordering countries, to deliver food, water and medical supplies inside the border and minister to refugees.

He’s found that healthcare helps to build a bridge to the gospel, showing people the love of Christ and helping to dispel misconceptions they may have about evangelicals. He is seeing people in their 50s and 60s opening their hearts to the gospel.

“When they see that you’re a doctor who actually cares, their interest is piqued,” he shared.

Nick was one of the missionaries present at MedAdvance 2022. Attendees had face-to-face interactions with seasoned medical missionaries at the International Mission Board’s June 23-25 conference. It was hosted by Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Glen Allen, Virginia. Nearly 200 attended.

Connection, prayer and discovery

Conference leaders explained that MedAdvance is an annual conference for healthcare professionals, students and church leaders to:

  • connect with IMB missionaries and leaders for networking and questions;
  • discover how God is at work as healthcare missionaries share stories from around the world;
  • learn how to serve God’s mission at home and overseas using God-given talents, skills and experiences in the healthcare field.

A main event at the annual conference was the Affinity Marathon, where attendees heard about opportunities for healthcare missions in each of the IMB’s eight geographical areas of focus. In addition to the Affinity Marathon, attendees were offered breakout sessions on topics from “Being a Healthcare Volunteer” to “Theology of Suffering and Spiritual Warfare.”

Attendees also gathered as a large group for worship and to hear encouragement and information from current and former IMB missionaries and personnel. During these sessions, times of intentional prayer were prioritized.

Medical missions – ‘risky business’

Todd Lafferty, IMB’s executive vice president, addressed some of the hardships missionaries face on the field. He expressed that he wanted to present the real picture of missions.

“There’s cost, and it’s risky business to share the gospel among the nations,” Lafferty said.

Knowing the risks, “Why give your life to this?” he asked. “Because Jesus has all authority.”

He added, “This Commission starts with the supremacy and glory of Christ, then we go out and make disciples.”

Lafferty shared six ways to fulfil the Great Commission.

  • Going
  • Seeking
  • Baptizing
  • Obeying
  • Growing
  • Multiplying

“Jesus didn’t promise us an easy way,” Lafferty noted. The easy people groups have been taken. The difficult ones remain, he explained.

He emphasized, “We’re not promised a safe life, but we’re promised an abundant life through Christ.”

Lafferty referenced the IMB’s Revelation 7:9 vision of “a multitude from every nation, tribe, people and language knowing and worshiping our Lord Jesus Christ.”

“But we can’t do it alone. We need our churches ­— we need you — walking with us, walking down those streets, into those cities, and up those mountains, carrying this good news of Christ,” he said.

“Will you go?”

This … for the rest of her life

Heidi Haun, a missionary surgeon at the Baptist Medical Centre of Nalerigu, Ghana, also spoke.

She shared that 20 years ago, another missionary surgeon asked her this question: “Can you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?”

Her experiences providing help and hope to those in need in Nalerigu have led her to give a resounding yes to that question.

  • Yes! “I have seen how God has provided a light to my path and direction every step of the way.”
  • Yes! “I have delighted in the Lord. He has given me the desires of my heart.”
  • Yes! “Knowing that this is the opportunity to glorify God with my life and work each and every day.”
  • Yes! “As God draws me to abide in Him, I have found my strength and joy and rest in Him.”

In conclusion, though, she asked attendees the same question — “Can you see yourself doing this for the rest of your life?”

Lifetime of clinging to the promises of God

Rebekah Naylor, IMB’s global healthcare strategies consultant and organizer of the MedAdvance conference, spoke on the promises of God from Joshua 21:45.

She explained that “our ability to rely on promises that have been made, depends on the one who made the promise.”

Naylor said that in the Great Commission, the Lord promised to be with His disciples. “God’s character mandates that He will keep His promises,” Naylor added.

Naylor shared some of God’s promises and how God kept them throughout her entire ministry.

  • In Proverbs 3:5-6, He promises that He will provide direction.
  • In Deuteronomy 31:8, He promises His presence.
  • In John 14:13-14, He promises to answer prayer.
  • In 1 Thessalonians 5:24, He promises He will enable us to do what He calls us to do.
  • In John 14:27, He promises peace.
  • In John 15:11, He promises joy as we abide in Him.

Naylor recounted how God led her through medical school and her surgical residency, even though as a woman in the 1960s, that was rare.

She shared about a time her practice as a missionary surgeon in India was in jeopardy over local laws and regulations, and God provided a way for her to remain in practice.

She recollected a local strike when an effigy of her was hung. Still, God protected her.

Naylor shared testimony after testimony of God’s grace in her ministry and of Him fulfilling His promises to her.

She closed by quoting the words to the hymn “Standing on the Promises”:

“Standing on the promises I cannot fall, / List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call, / Resting in my Savior as my all in all, / Standing on the promises of God.”

Next year’s MedAdvance conference will be held at Brentwood Baptist Church near Nashville, Tennessee, August 3-5. For more information on healthcare missions, visit imb.org/healthcare.


EDITOR’S NOTE —This story was originally written by Myriah Snyder and published by the International Mission Board. 

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • American Indian boy helps missions team lead 30-plus to Christ
    American Indian boy helps missions team lead 30-plus to Christ
    August 18, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight
    The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments
  • China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries
    August 17, 2022/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

American Indian boy helps missions team lead 30-plus to Christ

A 10-year-old American Indian boy who recently came to faith in Christ in Montana has inspired a mission team from First Baptist Church Jonesboro with

The Baptist association: An amazing secret hiding in plain sight

Recently I toured the Bunker at The Greenbrier in West Virginia. It was the secret location where the U.S. Congress would move in case of

China tightens restrictions on Christian ministries

 The Chinese Communist Party, which restricts Christian ministries, is clamping down even tighter with the institution of new legal restrictions. The relief group Barnabas Fund

Reaching the next generation: the difference between struggling, succeeding

Many churches are having a difficult time reaching the next generation with the message of Jesus Christ. Not only are churches struggling to connect with

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
Menu
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
Menu
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
Menu
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209

Copyright © 2022 TAB Media Group

  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Menu
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
Menu
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
Menu
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel