Developing Medical Leadership in Global Health Missions

As a medical professional, you know the power of a healing touch. You also understand that you can make a huge difference for God’s kingdom right in your own backyard. There are plenty of people who need your help in your own hometown. But global health mission trips can open new doors for you, doors that you may have never considered in the past. These medical mission trips just might be God’s way of speaking to you about the plan He has for your life and ministry.   What's Your Role in Global Health? In some ways, the definition of “global health” is exactly what you might think. It relates to health concerns and issues in different parts of the world. And mission trips that focus on global health strive to meet those needs to some degree.  But these trips can also take a wide variety of forms. For example, you could serve in a hospital or clinical setting in an underserved nation. Or, you could work with community and national leaders to create healthcare initiatives. You can even minister as a teacher in a classroom or as a disaster relief responder. You could be a medical doctor or a dentist, an optometrist, or a physical therapist looking to serve global health missions around the world. In other words, global health issues cover a broad spectrum, and global health mission trips allow you to plug into regions and specialties that resonate with you. You can work where your greatest calling meets some of the world’s greatest needs.   The Source of Global Health Missions One of the amazing things about global health mission trips is how God uses them to transform lives. You might set out determined to make someone else’s life better. Yet, as you pour your life into them, you find a greater blessing than you ever could have imagined.  Of course, mission trips focused on global health also include other, more tangible, blessings. Here are five practical reasons a global health mission adventure might be a great idea for you. Jesus said to go. Jesus’s Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) is foundational to the life of a Christ follower. After all, He told His people—including us—to go and to share Him with the world. A global health mission trip is one way to fulfill that command. If you’re wondering how to get started, you could explore our “Get Started” page or even attend the Global Health Missions Conference.   The need is great. As mentioned, many medical professionals find ways to minister closer to home. But you can be a tremendous blessing to doctors and other health workers across the globe. Plus, many mission sending organizations have missionary roles ready to be filled (Browse our list). You can stand in the gap and provide encouragement and support for medical missionaries who could use another pair of hands and another willing heart. The opportunities are there. You just need to find the one God is pulling you toward.    You can gain experience. Of course, ministry and obeying Jesus have rewards of their own. But a global health mission trip will also allow you to learn about medical procedures and practices that you could never learn anywhere else. Beyond that, you’ll also get the chance to work in a different culture, which will make you more sensitive to people’s needs wherever you serve. These global health mission experiences will make you a better healthcare worker and a stronger Christian.    See things with your own eyes. If you want to know what’s going on with global health issues, you can read and research the facts. You can even talk to missionaries who are in the trenches every day. But nothing compares to the kind of firsthand experience a global health mission trip can provide. You will see for yourself the pain that people are experiencing and the victories that God is orchestrating. It’s a perspective you cannot get any other way.   Use your gifts for the gospel. As a healthcare professional, God has gifted you in unique ways. He’s wired you to change the world one person at a time. A mission trip focused on global health gives you a priceless opportunity to use your gifts and talents to be Jesus’s hands and feet in the world. You will get the chance to work in your strengths, sharing Him by offering hope, help, and healing to people in need.   Find Your Global Health Mission Trip God has given you a heart for health care. He’s also given you a heart for missions. Those two passions don’t have to be an “either/or.” They can combine to be a beautiful “both/and” through global medical mission trips. Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.

You have a heart for the nations. It may involve a longing to pack your bags and settle on the other side of the planet, or it may be a call toward short-term mission work. Whatever the case, God has His hand on you. Your next step will be to filter through a list of Christian missionary organizations and find the one that’s right for you. You’ll need to identify the right partner, the team that will support you and equips you to be the most effective representative of Jesus Christ possible. And, when it comes to Christian missionary organizations, you have a lot of options.   Knowing What A Sending Organization Can Offer Christian mission organizations often serve as the bridge between missionaries and the people they serve. Some could be classified as sending agencies, while others focus on support and networking. These missionary organizations can provide training and logistical support for those called to the mission field. In some cases, they also may assist in areas like placement and fundraising.  Christian missionary organizations can be great allies. But you need to find the one that best fits your calling. In the list below, we’ve highlighted ten trusted Christian missionary organizations. The first five primarily focus on medical missions, while the second half of the list focuses more on general missions. Since many medical mission agencies also enlist non-medical volunteers and many non-medical agencies are open to medical professionals, all ten might be a potential mission agency for you.   Medical Missions Agencies If you’re interested in Christian missionary organizations that emphasize medical opportunities, these are reliable options to consider:   Medical Missions Medical Missions is affiliated with the Global Health Missions Conference, which is held every year in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to the conference, Medical Missions provides information and networking opportunities for individuals who feel a call toward medical missions. This includes a job board, information on dozens of sending agencies, community groups, and a blog filled with helpful articles and videos.   MAP International While medical missionaries have an abundance of the skill and compassion necessary to make a difference in the world, they often run short on one thing: medical supplies. Whether it’s equipment or medicine, medical missionaries need help getting these basic tools of their trade. MAP International is a Christian missionary organization that stands in this gap. The group’s mission is to provide medicine and supplies to people who need it, regardless of their backgrounds or beliefs.   Blessings International Like MAP, Blessings International focuses on providing resources for medical missionaries in the United States and around the world. For more than 40 years, Blessings International has worked under the premise that healthy individuals create healthy communities. By providing medicine, vitamins, and other resources, Blessings International helps medical professionals fulfill the Great Commission and expand the kingdom of God.   Cure International In so many corners of the world, children suffer from conditions that could be remedied by a relatively simple surgery. Cure works through a network of eight hospitals in Africa and the Philippines to provide free life-changing operations for children while sharing the good news of Jesus. Cure also works within communities to support families and strengthen healthcare options for underserved regions.   GO International If you’re looking for a Christian missionary organization that specializes in short-term opportunities, GO International might be a great option. GO works within communities overseas to plan and provide mission trips that address a variety of needs. These experiences include medical missions, disaster relief, church planting, discipleship, clean water projects, feeding programs, and children’s ministry.   Samaritan’s Purse You may be familiar with Samaritan’s Purse through its Operation Christmas Child shoebox ministry, but this mission organization does so much more to spread the hope of Jesus. Through its work in medical missions, doctors and other healthcare professionals minister to individuals around the world. The goal is to provide relief and comfort for those dealing with disease, natural disasters, wars, and poverty. Like its namesake character from Luke 10, Samaritan’s Purse strives to meet the physical needs of outcasts—all to earn a hearing for the gospel.   Non-Medical Missions Agencies If you’re looking for Christian missionary organizations that are more general in nature, these are proven groups that are making a difference in the world:   Youth with a Mission (YWAM) This non-denominational mission organization was founded in the early 1960s andfocuseds on bringing glory to God by sharing the gospel with the world. Its goal is to empower young people to serve Christ. Today, in addition to providing mission trips around the world, YWAM also offers an in-depth, six-month Discipleship Training School that includes classroom training and field experience for college students and young adults.   Operation Mobilization (OM) In 1957, a group of friends began passing out Scripture and Christian literature in Mexico. From that simple start, Operation Mobilization (OM) grew into a steadfast Christian missionary organization. As a trailblazer in overseas missions, OM began working in Muslim and Communist countries in the 1960s. Today, the group sponsors short-term experiences around the world, including through its OM Ships ministry.   CRU Originally known as Campus Crusade for Christ, CRU was founded in 1951 by evangelist Bill Bright. This missionary organization currently has a presence in 191 countries around the world. While CRU originally focused on discipling college students, it now provides mission trips for a variety of age groups with a variety of interests. Trips range from a few weeks in length to a few months and seek to find common ground through things like sports, media, humanitarian aid, and more. CRU also offers internships, study abroad, and career ministry opportunities.   World Venture Founded in 1943, World Venture has stood the test of time among Christian missionary organizations. With ministries in the United States and around the world, World Venture focuses on a variety of needs, including church planting and evangelism. World Venture also shares the gospel through sports ministries, education, and marketplace missions. Short-term and career opportunities are available.   Send International As the name implies, Send International serves as a missionary sending agency that focuses on mobilizing believers and planting healthy churches. In its mission, Send highlights the role of the local church in identifying and commissioning missionaries. They also emphasize cultural and language training so missionaries can live out the gospel in meaningful ways wherever they serve.   Although this list isn't exhaustive, you now have an idea of which type of Christian missionary organization might work best for your calling.   Discover Medical Missions. Medical Missions serves to connect your professional skills and biblical calling to the largest database of healthcare mission organizations, professionals, and thought leadership. Join us at the Global Missions Health Conference to find your Medical Missions calling. Or, browse our full list of partner organizations to find the right mission for you.