For the last 18 years, as the relationship has deepened between Southeast Christian Church and Life in Abundance, an African organization, much has been learned about how to minister cross-culturally together. As these 2 organizations serve alongside one another, exponential kingdom impact has happened by engaging the skills that both entities possess in a complementary way. As we look at the issue of dependency around the world, this is a refreshing model to consider as a solution to this struggle in missions.

The Next Generation of students, just like each generation before it, is different and is engaging the world in a new way. In order to effectively attract and retain these students, the church will have to adjust as well. Students no longer want to be a part of a church where they sit, listen and give an offering each week—students of this generation want to know where their money is going and to be a part of the movement. They want to engage in the mission of God in a tangible and real way. Because the entire world is available to them more than ever before, they want to be involved both locally and globally.

Faith-based medical ministries have substantial opportunities to conduct biomedical research that positively impacts the communities they serve. In addition, biomedical research can help mission organizations achieve their strategic goals. In this session missional, ethical, and practical aspects of research in faith-based, developing-world settings will be discussed.

We go to medical missions cross culturally with some expectations to partner with churches, mission agencies and local humanitarian agencies. Partnership is often seen in light of synergistic and supporting relationships for the purpose of the gospel and the Kingdom of God. How does the local governing systems and officials view our presence as health and development related services? What expectations do they have of us as their partners in serving the health needs of the community? What kind of theology of relationships do we have with these entities that may serve or complicate the purposes of the mission that we are called to? What opportunities or hindrances do governing structures post to medical missions?

Come bring your questions or comments and participate in the discussions that will be facilitated by two doctors with combined several decades of experience struggling through contexts in East Asia and Africa.

During the main GMHC conference 2015 PRIME International's CEO, Prof Richard Vincent, presented this breakout session on ‘Compassion: Foundation for Whole Person Care’.

Scientific and technical advances may be seen as the key to best medical practice, but to focus only on biological processes is to ignore other powerful influences on the causes and treatment
of illness. A solely mechanistic approach fails to deal with the basic requirement of patients to be cared for as people - in body, mind and spirit.
This session explored the topic of whole person care including its biblical basis, evidence for its benefit and its delivery to patients founded on compassion.

Experience is showing that equipping women to deal with family and community concerns without involving husbands is like teaching women to clap with one hand.
Community Health Evangelism equips communities through Christ-centered health and development. Thousands of highly participatory lessons empower less skilled trainers respond to most community interests and spiritual needs. New lessons deal with being a good husband and father, understanding how men’s leadership and leadership styles affects others, how to truly love your wife, how to earn your children’s respect, and men’s health issues.

It's estimated that more than 4 Billion people in the world are oral learners. They can't, don't or won't read. Regardless of the reasons or situation, oral communication methods and participatory/discovery learning processes are important tools in most of the world. In this session we'll look at case studies and experiences helping friends in North India create mother-tongue audio recordings of community development/health information and also Scripture stories. The session will give you a taste of how to use stories/arts to transfer information more effectively in oral cultures.

Community Health Evangelism (CHE) is a breakthrough mission strategy that seamlessly integrates evangelism and discipleship with disease prevention and community-based development. Through these ministries people become followers of Jesus, churches are planted, and entire communities are lifted out of cycles of poverty and disease.

The power of story for the medical missionary

Ebola has emerged as an extremely complex epidemic that has not only revealed a plethora of underlying problems in the affected countries, but calls for a complex and multi-faceted approach to address it. Adequate and appropriate treatment of Ebola is one aspect of the solution, but a solid public health response is essential to the cessation of this epidemic as well. In addition to the health-related measures that are required, understanding and addressing the cultural factors of the region plays a huge role in stopping the spread of the virus. Additionally, there is the monumental task of spiritual and psychosocial care which is needed, and to which the Church can and must respond. Come and learn more about the various roles available for those who want to engage this crisis from a non-clinical standpoint.