Content Resources

What is a call? How does a person know if God is calling them to mission service? Join in a discussion as these and other questions are addressed. Speaker(s): Rebekah Naylor B.A., M.D Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/a-call

In this session, we will review 10 potentially practice-changing articles for primary care in the developed and developing world from 2020-2025 and will present each of these articles in a few minutes, critically appraising the articles and highlighting the positives and negatives of each. We will also discuss issues related to the applicability of this research in different settings. Speaker(s): Philip Dooley; Jeff Leman Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/top-10-research-papers-in-global-health

Missionaries meet spiritual and physical needs across cultures, using whatever they've been given to build trust and share the gospel. That's the big picture, but what do missionaries do day by day? That can vary significantly and may involve medical training, cross-cultural communication, teaching, or even running a business, anything that helps serve people and reflect Christ.   Key Takeaways Presence Before Preaching: Missionary work starts with presence, not a pulpit, serving real needs and building trust long before preaching begins. A Call for All Believers: The Bible's call to "go and make disciples" applies to all believers, and missionaries live this out through obedience, wherever they're sent. Every Profession Has a Place: Missionaries come from all professions, nurses, teachers, carpenters, and more, using their everyday skills to serve and uplift communities. Varied Day-to-Day Work: Day-to-day, missionaries may run clinics, teach, disciple, or plant churches, always working to love the people they serve. Mission Starts Where You Are: You don't have to move overseas to live on mission; wherever you use your gifts for the gospel, you're participating in God's global story.   Missionary Work Starts with Presence, Not a Pulpit What do missionaries do? More than many realize. While evangelism is central, missionary work often begins with service: caring for physical, emotional, and relational needs. Many missionaries spend their days listening, building trust, learning a language, and participating in the daily life of a community. Whether through teaching, farming, or healthcare, they reflect the heart of Christ by meeting people where they are. The history of medical missions, in particular, shows that healing bodies has opened doors to healing hearts.   What Is Missionary Work According to the Bible? Scripture has plenty to say about mission work; the calling is clear from the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 to Paul's letters, filled with stories of travel, encouragement, suffering, and teaching. Missionaries aren't defined by a title. They're defined by obedience. Whether they cross oceans or work in their hometown, they carry the gospel with them, fulfilling the call to go and serve.   Missionaries Are Nurses, Carpenters, and Students One of the biggest myths about missionary work is that it only applies to pastors or Bible teachers. Missionaries come from all backgrounds. You'll find healthcare workers leading pediatric mission trips, engineers helping build water systems, and tech workers training local nonprofits. Medical mission trips continue to be some of the most strategic and sustainable forms of outreach, especially when they support and strengthen long-term partnerships already in place. Whether they're worth the investment is a question that comes up often, and the answer depends largely on how well the trip is structured and connected to local partners.   What Missionaries Actually Do Day to Day Depending on their assignment and setting, missionaries might: Run health clinics or mobile medical units Teach in local schools or vocational training centers Plant and support churches Train local leaders and disciple new believers Offer trauma counseling and family support Start small businesses that provide jobs Translate Scripture or teach English Missionaries build bridges, not empires. They enter slowly, listen well, and serve with a quiet and generous spirit.   Do Missionaries Get Paid? Are They Sent? Missionaries don't always earn a traditional salary, but many receive financial support from churches, mission agencies, or individual donors. Most raise personal support by building a team of partners, people who give monthly or annually so the missionary can focus on their work full-time. Support-raising often involves casting vision, building relationships, and sharing regular updates with those who give. In some cases, missionaries work part-time or full-time jobs (known as bi-vocational missions) to support themselves while serving. Others receive a stipend or are fully funded through sending organizations that handle their logistics and care. Regardless of the model, missionaries are typically responsible for their own budgets, which can include housing, travel, insurance, ministry expenses, and retirement. It requires faith, planning, and a lot of communication, but it can result in a network of people who are spiritually and financially invested in the mission.   You Don't Have to Move Overseas to Be a Missionary What is missionary work if not something reserved for distant fields? Mission work isn't always global. Many communities across the U.S. need the same kind of intentional, Christ-centered service found on international mission fields. Whether you're supporting refugees, mentoring youth, or serving in under-resourced medical clinics, you're living out the mission. Finding domestic mission opportunities that interest you can help you discern how your unique gifts can be used right now.   Related Questions   What is the main purpose of a missionary? To share the gospel and serve others as Christ did.   Do missionaries make money? Many raise support, others are salaried, and some are bi-vocational.   What are the activities done by missionaries? Activities range from teaching and healing to mentoring, building, translating, and church planting.

Have you ever considered how your professional skills can be used to advance God’s kingdom? Your career and ministry should not function separately — your career is your ministry. Speaker(s): Brian C.; Wes Sheffield Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/ministry-in-the-marketplace

Honor and shame cultures shape how communities define identity, morality, and restoration, and in many parts of the world, shame, not guilt, is the dominant force shaping how people hear and respond to the gospel. Ministering in honor-shame cultures requires a shift in language, posture, and practice.   Key Takeaways Identity Shaped by Community: In honor and shame cultures, identity is shaped by community perception, not just personal guilt, making relational restoration more meaningful than legal forgiveness. Traditional Gospel Presentations May Miss the Mark: Gospel presentations centered on guilt may miss the heart questions of belonging, restoration, and dignity that honor-shame cultures are asking. Cultural Fluency Is Essential: Effective ministry in these contexts requires understanding communal decision-making, avoiding public shame, and restoring honor with care. Scripture Speaks Directly to Shame: Jesus bore public disgrace so we could be re-honored (united to God), and passages like Romans 8:1 offer deep healing beyond guilt removal. Long-Term Ministry Requires Long-Term Learning: Sharing the unchanging gospel requires understanding the people who hear it, which means ongoing humility and cultural sensitivity.   What Is an Honor and Shame Culture? In Western contexts, guilt and innocence tend to define moral failure. If you break a rule, you're guilty. Justice means punishment, and forgiveness wipes the slate clean. But in many cultures across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, morality revolves around honor and shame. It's not just about what you did; it's about whether your actions bring honor or disgrace to your family, tribe, or community. People live with the constant awareness of how others perceive them. Honor builds identity. Shame destroys it. Understanding honor-shame dynamics is one of the most important preparations a cross-cultural missionary can make.   Why the Gospel Must Sound Different in Honor-Shame Cultures If your gospel message is built around guilt and legal forgiveness, it may not connect in honor-shame cultures. You're speaking a language people aren't asking questions in. Imagine telling someone, "Jesus paid the penalty for your sin," but they aren't primarily concerned with guilt. They're asking: Have I brought shame on my family? Can I be restored? Do I belong again? The Bible speaks directly to these needs. The prodigal son wasn't just forgiven, he was re-clothed, re-named, and re-honored by the father (Luke 15:22). Jesus endured public shame so that we might be honored/restored in Him (Hebrews 12:2).    How to Minister in an Honor and Shame Culture To serve well in these contexts, you need more than cross-cultural curiosity. You need cultural fluency. That means paying attention to unspoken rules and relational dynamics that determine what's honorable and what brings shame. The importance of cross-cultural missions goes far beyond logistics; it shapes how the gospel is heard. That said, here are a few starting points: Understand the weight of community over individualism. Westerners often focus on personal faith. But in many places, the group matters more than the individual. Decisions are made collectively, and faith often grows best in family or community settings. Restore before you rebuke. Public correction can create unbearable shame. If someone has failed or sinned, privately restoring them is often a more biblical and effective path (Galatians 6:1). Watch how honor is gained and given. In some cultures, being served is an act of shame. You may think you're offering help, but the form it takes could unintentionally disempower. Understanding how honor-shame cultures work helps prevent these moments of accidental harm. Let the gospel speak to shame. When Paul writes, "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1), that's not just legal language. It's relational healing. Condemnation isn't only about guilt. It's about being cast out. And Christ brings us back in.   Why Cross-Cultural Awareness Isn't Optional The more deeply you enter into long-term missions, the more essential this becomes. Without cultural awareness, you may unknowingly offend or confuse the very people you're called to love. And when you're already in a new country, learning from scratch can feel overwhelming. Minimizing culture shock through structured debriefing starts by preparing your heart and mindset beforehand and processing well after. More than ever, the global mission field requires humble learners. The gospel never changes, but how it's heard depends entirely on context.   Long-Term Ministry Requires Long-Term Learning Ministering in honor and shame cultures isn't about mastering a checklist. It's about posturing yourself as a servant in every setting. Cross-cultural missions will stretch your assumptions about communication, hospitality, and leadership. But if you stay patient, observant, and grounded in Scripture, you'll find the gospel opens up in powerful, unexpected ways.   Ready to Go Deeper? If you feel called to share the gospel cross-culturally, explore long-term mission opportunities designed to help you grow in cultural fluency and spiritual resilience.   Related Questions   What is an example of an honor culture? Many Middle Eastern, African, and Asian cultures operate primarily as honor-shame cultures, where reputation defines morality.   What is the difference between a guilt culture and a shame culture? Guilt cultures focus on internal conscience and rule-breaking; shame cultures emphasize social reputation and communal judgment.   Was ancient Israel an honor-shame culture? Yes, ancient Israel was rooted in honor and shame, as seen throughout its family structures, legal systems, and biblical narratives.   What is the shame and honor culture in China? In Chinese culture, maintaining family honor and avoiding public shame strongly influence personal behavior and social relationships.

What else might be asked of a physician, dentist, nurse or other healthcare professional serving cross-culturally that may stretch, challenge, and sometimes frustrate the committed and called servant of Christ? Being prepared for such extra tasks and determining to be flexible and joyful might just surprise the new (or old) healthcare missionary who humbly approaches the extended job description. Speaker(s): Dave MD, MA (Bioethics) Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/the-healthcare-missionary-job-description-you-want-me-to-do-what

The causes of refugee problems in the world are rarely simple. From armed conflict and religious persecution to economic collapse, millions are being displaced. Understanding the reasons for the refugee crisis is the first step toward responding with the compassion and competence the situation demands.   Key Takeaways Layered Causes, Not Simple Events: Refugee crises are often caused by a complex mix of conflict, persecution, climate disasters, and economic collapse, not just sudden events. Behind Every Statistic Is a Story: Behind every refugee statistic is a long, layered story of injustice, loss, and survival, often unfolding quietly long before headlines appear. Help Starts with Humility: Effective support prioritizes listening, presence, and empowering long-term healing over quick fixes. Trauma Doesn't End at the Border: Resettlement often brings emotional strain that churches, clinics, and volunteers can help address locally. Scripture Makes the Call Clear: Refugee care isn't optional for the Church. It is part of God's mission to restore.   The Real Causes of Refugee Problems in the World The most visible refugee stories, border crossings, boat rescues, packed shelters, are often just the final scenes of a much longer crisis. Conflict, persecution, famine, failed governance, and climate disasters are all leading causes of refugee problems in the world. Today, over 100 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide. Many flee with no guarantee of safety, dignity, or return. The United Nations defines refugees as people forced to flee across borders due to conflict or persecution. But that's only part of the story. Some are fleeing war zones, like Ukraine. Others are escaping slow violence: political oppression, famine, or rising waters that erase entire villages. Displacement is not always sudden. Often, it builds over years until staying home is no longer an option.   Behind Every Crisis Are Layers of Injustice The reasons for the refugee crisis are layered and often invisible to outsiders. Political failure in one region can ripple into economic collapse in another. A local drought can become a widespread famine. Ethnic targeting can silence entire communities and force them into hiding. In Eastern Europe, for example, the war in Ukraine has displaced millions. But for many families, the crisis didn't begin with the first missile. Years of tension, instability, and economic strain had already pushed people to the edge. And yet, God had already been present in Ukraine, working through believers and organizations who were quietly walking with the displaced before the headlines ever came. Refugee crises are not just about geography: they're about people who lose identity, stability, and access to healthcare, education, and hope.   How to Help Refugees without Causing Harm A natural question arises: How can you help refugees? The answer starts with humility. Not every solution is helpful. Some forms of aid—however well-intentioned—can create dependency or overlook what refugees actually want. The goal is not to "fix" displaced people, but to honor their dignity and walk with them toward healing. There are meaningful ways to help. Healthcare professionals, for example, bring skills that are urgently needed. One pharmacy student working with refugees found that the most valuable part of her time wasn't just medicine but also meeting with the people, and especially the kids.   Refugee Trauma Doesn't End When Borders Are Crossed The crisis doesn't end once a person crosses into a safer country. In fact, many refugees report the greatest emotional strain after resettlement, when the weight of loss, uncertainty, and culture shock truly sets in. That's why refugee care isn't just global; it's local. Many U.S.-based churches and clinics are now involved in refugee care in the United States, offering counseling, medical help, ESL support, and spiritual community. Short-term volunteers can play a vital support role here too.   What Scripture Calls the Church to Do The Bible is clear: God sees, loves, and defends the displaced. In Deuteronomy 10:18, "He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing." And again in Leviticus 19:34, Israel is told, "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself..." Refugees are not strangers to the Kingdom. They are part of God's mission. And for the Church, they are not an afterthought—they are an invitation.   You Don't Have to Go Far to Start Helping The causes of refugee problems in the world are complex. Whether it's advocating, serving locally, or joining a team abroad, there's a role for anyone willing to start small and stay faithful. If you've been wondering how to help refugees in a way that honors both their story and God's heart, consider starting with short-term missions. These experiences provide on-the-ground exposure to real needs while supporting long-term efforts already in place.   Related Questions   What are the main causes of the refugee crisis? Armed conflict, political persecution, human rights violations, poverty, and climate change are the leading causes.   What is the biggest problem for refugees? Lack of safety, access to basic needs, and long-term legal protection are the most pressing issues.   What is the biggest reason people become refugees? Most refugees flee due to violence or persecution that makes remaining in their home country impossible.

There are so many options of sending agencies, that many potential missionary workers don’t know where to begin. As a result, they often get overwhelmed and paralyzed. We help make that journey manageable by teaching you what to look for to find your best-fit sending agency. Speaker(s): Josiah Harling; Steve Harling Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/finding-your-best-fit-mission-agency

Church planting is one of the most foundational expressions of the Great Commission. Wherever the gospel takes root in a new community, the natural outcome is a gathering of believers, a church, that can disciple, worship, and witness together for generations. Church planting missions exist to catalyze that process in places where no such community yet exists.   What Church Planting Missions Involve Church planting is not simply starting a religious organization. It is the intentional work of introducing the gospel to an unreached community, making disciples, and helping those disciples form a self-sustaining, locally led church. How a church planter differs from a pastor is a question worth understanding before pursuing this work, as the roles require different skills, temperaments, and strategies. Church planting missions typically involve extended time in a single location, deep language and culture learning, and a long-term commitment to relationships. Unlike short-term outreach, church planting requires a willingness to stay long enough for real community to form.   The Relationship Between Church Planting and Healthcare Medical work and church planting have a long shared history in global missions. Healthcare opens doors in communities that might otherwise resist outside influence, building the relational trust that makes gospel witness possible. Integrating healthcare and church planting is a model that many mission organizations have found particularly effective in regions closed to traditional evangelism. In this model, a medical missionary is not simply a doctor who happens to share their faith. They are a church-planting missionary whose clinical skills provide access and credibility in a community that would not otherwise receive them.   Who Does Church Planting Missions Christian missionaries engaged in church planting come from a wide range of professional and theological backgrounds. Some are ordained pastors. Some are doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, and business professionals; in some regions, a professional role provides access a ministry title would not. Theological training matters, but it is not the only preparation required. Cultural humility, language acquisition, and a long view of gospel ministry are equally essential. Missionary schools and training programs can help prepare those who sense a call to church-planting missions but are not yet sure where to start.   Is Church Planting a Long-Term Calling? Church planting missions are almost always long-term commitments. The work of introducing the gospel, making disciples, and establishing a self-sustaining local church cannot be compressed into a short-term trip. That does not mean short-term service has no place in church planting, but it does mean that those called to this work should expect to invest years, not weeks. If you sense a call to long-term church planting missions, browse long-term mission opportunities to find organizations actively planting churches in unreached communities around the world.   Related Questions   What is the purpose of church planting? Church planting exists to fulfill the Great Commission by establishing gospel-centered, locally led communities of believers in places where no such community yet exists.   How long does it take to plant a church? The timeline varies widely by context, but most church planting missionaries expect to invest five to ten years in a single community before a self-sustaining local church is established.   How is church planting different from evangelism? Evangelism shares the gospel with individuals; church planting goes further by gathering new believers into a community that can worship, disciple, and multiply together over time.

Short-term missions. Whether you have participate in many or are just considering finding your first one, short-term mission trips do a lot of good around the world. We will be discussing five principles to ensure that our short-term mission efforts have a long-term and sustainable impact on those with whom we serve. Speaker(s): Jaime Saint Session webpage: https://www.medicalmissions.com/events/gmhc-2024/sessions/five-principles-for-long-term-sustaining-impact-on-short-term-trip

Working with human trafficking victims is one of the most demanding and meaningful forms of mission work. It requires clinical skill, emotional resilience, cultural sensitivity, and a deep theological grounding in the dignity of every human being. For healthcare workers and missionaries who sense a call to this work, understanding what rehabilitating victims of human trafficking actually involves is the essential first step.   Who Human Trafficking Victims Are Trafficking victims are not a monolithic group. They come from every background, age, and nationality. Some were coerced through deception. Others were sold by family members. Many have spent years in situations of extreme control and violence before anyone identified them as victims at all. Identifying and supporting survivors of human trafficking requires practitioners to understand the complex psychological and relational dynamics that keep victims bound, often long after the physical danger has passed. Trauma bonding, fear of authorities, and shame all contribute to why survivors are frequently reluctant to identify themselves or accept help.   What Working with Human Trafficking Victims Requires Effective care for trafficking survivors is not transactional. It is relational, long-term, and trauma-informed. Healthcare workers and missionaries working with human trafficking victims must be trained to recognize the signs of trafficking, respond without retraumatizing, and connect survivors to appropriate resources. Practically, this means understanding that a survivor may initially deny their situation, may return to their trafficker, or may not trust the people trying to help them. Patience, consistency, and a non-coercive approach are not optional extras in this work. They are the foundation.   Rehabilitating Victims of Human Trafficking Rehabilitating victims of human trafficking involves addressing a wide range of physical, psychological, and spiritual needs simultaneously. Physical health needs are often acute, including injuries, sexually transmitted infections, malnutrition, and untreated chronic conditions. Mental health needs are equally significant, with high rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and dissociation among survivors. Spiritual care plays a role that secular rehabilitation models often underestimate. For survivors who have been told their lives have no value, the message that they are known and loved by God is not abstract theology. It is often the deepest form of healing available. Heather's story illustrates how that spiritual dimension of recovery intersects with the practical dimensions of rebuilding a life. Rehabilitating victims of human trafficking also requires addressing practical needs: safe housing, legal support, job training, and ongoing case management. No single organization or individual can meet all of these needs, which is why collaboration and referral networks are essential.   Getting Involved Working with human trafficking victims requires preparation, accountability, and connection to organizations that have established trust with survivor communities. Going in alone or without proper training does more harm than good. If you sense a call to this work, browse anti-trafficking mission opportunities to find organizations with proven models, trauma-informed approaches, and a clear gospel foundation. The need is real, the work is hard, and the right preparation makes all the difference.

Medical mission trips are not just about the people served; they reshape the people who serve. The benefits of medical mission trips extend in both directions: communities receive care they could not otherwise access, and healthcare workers return home with clinical experience, cross-cultural competence, and a deepened sense of calling that no domestic rotation can replicate. If you’ve ever asked "Why go on a medical mission trip at all?" you’re not alone. Many healthcare professionals wrestle with the tension between a busy career and the quiet tug of a deeper purpose.  But those two things aren’t in conflict; they’re often two sides of the same coin. On these trips, you get to meet physical needs with an eternal perspective. You serve in communities where healthcare is scarce, but the opportunity for transformation is abundant. And as you give, something in you begins to change too.   Key Takeaways Medical mission trips offer more than physical impact; they bring spiritual clarity as you step into need and experience God moving through your obedience. These trips provide essential care to underserved communities, often serving as the only consistent source of medical help in remote or overwhelmed areas. Sustainable mission efforts focus not just on service, but on equipping local providers to build lasting healthcare systems rooted in dignity and partnership. Short-term medical missions can lead to long-term transformation; many participants return with renewed purpose, vision, and direction for their calling. Saying yes to just one week of service can open doors to a lifetime of impact, both for the people you serve and the path God reveals in your own life.   You Give Help, But You Gain Clarity The impact of medical mission trips is not one-sided. While your hands offer treatment and care, your spirit receives something just as vital: clarity. Many who serve on the field return home with a renewed sense of calling, not because all their questions were answered, but because they saw God move while they were in motion.  There’s something about being on mission that clears the fog. The pressure to have it all figured out begins to fade, and you find yourself open to God's leading in a new way. This kind of clarity doesn’t come through overthinking. It comes through obedience. Participants often share that their sense of purpose sharpened not before they went but while they were serving.  In 2 Corinthians 9:8, Paul writes, “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” When we step into need with open hands, we find God’s grace is more than enough. The act of giving doesn’t leave us empty; it fills us with His presence, His strength, and His joy.   Medical Mission Trips Help Real Communities This isn’t just about personal growth. Medical mission trips bring tangible relief to places that need it most. In many low-income countries, local clinics are overwhelmed or inaccessible, and mission teams are often the only source of consistent medical care.  These teams deliver far more than medicine; they bring dignity, compassion, and relationship. In fact, a report from the Jamaica Observer highlights the long-term benefits of humanitarian medical missions, showing how they’ve improved healthcare outcomes and built trust in underserved areas through ongoing care and connection. The lasting impact of medical mission trips on global health goes beyond meeting short-term needs. Sustainable mission models now prioritize training and equipping local providers, building systems that continue long after the short-term trip ends. These aren't pop-up service projects. They’re investments in the Kingdom, made one patient, one prayer, and one moment at a time.   Short-Term Trip. Lifelong Change. Many people assume medical mission trips are only for the ultra-committed, the long-termers. But that’s not true. The benefits of medical mission trips are often unlocked in short-term service.  One week can change a heart. One moment can shift your path. And for those in the early stages of their healthcare career, these trips can be a meaningful part of discerning God’s call. Participants return with a deeper understanding of God's heart for the nations. Some come back with a fresh vision for their clinical work. Others begin considering longer-term missions or local outreach. Many are surprised to find their passion for medicine reignited. That transformation is at the heart of the purpose of medical mission trips, not just to serve others, but to shape those who go. It’s not unusual for medical school applicants to reference their mission trip experience as pivotal in shaping their sense of purpose, and admissions boards tend to notice. These trips reflect more than compassion; they demonstrate character, courage, and cross-cultural awareness. You don’t need to commit to a lifetime of missions to be part of God’s story. You just need to say yes to the next step. What might God do with your willing hands and a week of your time? Start now by exploring short-term medical mission trips that interest you. Related Questions   Why are medical mission trips important? They meet urgent healthcare needs while also deepening participants’ spiritual and professional clarity. Are medical mission trips worth it? Yes. Both for the lives touched abroad and the transformation sparked within those who go. Are medical mission trips good for med school? Absolutely. They show maturity, compassion, and a willingness to serve beyond comfort zones. Do you get paid for medical mission trips? Typically, no. Most trips are volunteer-based, but some organizations may help with travel or lodging costs.