Poverty

With nearly 2.2 billion people comprising the Global Church, there are more followers of Jesus in the world today than at any point in history. And yet, 21,000 children die silently every day from preventable and treatable diseases. Across the world, 1.4 billion people live on less than $1.50 daily. More than 260 million Africans cannot read or write. And, perhaps most troubling of all, the vulner...

This session will review the many causes of cognitive impairment and provide detailed information about several of these causes, including early malnutrition, iron deficiency, diarrheal diseases, and prenatal alcohol exposure. The session will discuss the demographics of cognitive impairment and the negative effects on individuals, families, communities, economics and governments. The session will...

This session will review the missionary influence on WHO evidence-based international guidelines to achieve global development goals. Lack of implementation of these Biblically-based guidelines has resulted in a world-wide “Slow-Motion Disaster". The global epidemic of non-communicable diseases primarily due to obesity and smoking recently resulted in the second ever UN General Assembly on He...

This session will give an overview of the current picture of trafficking in persons within the United States focusing mainly on child sex trafficking, the major form of trafficking in persons within the U.S. In addition, the session will address specific ways that health professionals can become abolitionists.

In the wake of the AIDS pandemic and other disasters remain those least capable of caring for themselves. How do we best respond to their needs? Drawing from the speaker's international experience and using case studies and an interactive format, the session will explore the health issues of OVCs and the physical, mental and social components to their care.

How can a ministry continue after we leave? Drawing from the speaker's mission expereince and using case studies and an interactive format, participants will explore successful principles and strategies for sustainability in medical missions.

The worlds population slipped over 50% in 2010 now living in the city with it becoming 70% by 2020. Working with people living in the city is different then the rural world. I will use a 10 minute TED Talk with the balance of the session discussing in how how urban settings are different then rural setting where Community Development has been historically done and the implications for doing so in...

Disability: Displaying the Works of God in Wholisitic Development People with disability were a priority in Jesus' ministry while on earth. He even defined himself in terms of his disability ministry when questioned by John's disciples on whether or not he was the promised Messiah. By examining Jesus' ministry among the disabled, we will discover how His Body should prioritize ministry...

How can an “outside” Church, NGO, Short term team or missionary help a community in need without creating dependencies, stripping dignity, and under minding long-term development?

Using Stories for Wholistic Health Education Stories are proving to be an extremely effective way to communicate "truth that sticks." They naturally break down resistance, and create interest. They are more easily understood, remembered, and repeated. Stories change lives. Stories are best if they are short, clear, and relate to the listener's life experience. The impact of stories i...

Christian Connections for International Health (CCIH), a global health membership organization has prioritized advocacy efforts to strengthen U.S. and global commitment to improving the health and well-being of people in developing countries. This presentation will begin with an overview of why Christians should be involved in advocacy, including a Biblical case for advocacy and speaking for the v...

Professional education programs are geared toward preparing students to do curative care in healthcare settings. In order to reach into the community with preventive healthcare requires an additional set of knowledge and skills. We will look at the principles that were operative in the 1978 Alma Ata and examine what needs to be included in the education of healthcare professionals to achieve Healt...

Best Practices in Short-term Medical Missions In recent years there has been a tsunami of short-term healthcare volunteers going into the developing world; both faith-based and humanitarian. Recent estimates tell us that 29% of students enrolled in medical schools participate in some type of short-term global health project prior to graduation. Dental, nursing, and allied health schools are also b...

This is a NEW EMERGING model of empowering the local church to care for the most vulnerable. Globally there has been a growing realization that the church (called civil society in government and UN circles) in its manifold expressions has been under-utilized in developing countries in community development in general and specifically in the fight against HIV and AIDS, especially with the drastic r...

Global health does not stand still. The needs remain high, the priorities change, the field gets ever more complex. Deciding what's the most important way to contribute is a big challenge, whether we are students or experienced professionals or somewhere in between. And discerning our own gifts and how we can be of most use to God is most important of all We will explore global health trends a...

Medical mission or what I prefer to call Health Care Mission remains a crucial issue for 21st century Christians. Yes, we need to be fully involved in medical missions but just as important, be effective as people of faith in secular environments where we can be agents of change and transformation. In this breakout session we will try to discern together how medical missions can help to become mor...

Health networks are becoming increasingly essential in global health. By working together through intentional groupings of those with similar interests and objectives, we can have a greater impact, and work more effectively with government and donors Most important of all we can mazimize our value to God's Kingdom by demonstrating harmony, unity and joint purpose This session considers health...

Short-term missions offer a unique opportunity for sustained spiritual formation away from the distractions of a busy life in the U.S., in a setting where the traveler is often far removed from their comfort zone and power zone. This workshop presents ideas and guidelines for the trip leader in recruiting, selecting, and preparing trip participants to act as the Body of Christ in their service, an...

Everyone who has been on a medical mission has some embarrassing and/or hilarious stories of cultural insensitivity or language blunders. Sometimes the events are just funny. Sometimes they can seriously compromise the intended impact of the whole mission, including our Christian witness. This session offers perspective, spiritual grounding and practical tools for building healthy relationships, a...

Dental Surgery can be particularly challenging on the mission field. Often dealing with cross cultural and language communication problems, the proper positioning of the patient, proper light, possibly no x-rays, limited or no suction, sometimes limited trained assistance, and possibly not all the equipment that you might need. Many dentists do only limited oral surgery in their practices. The cha...

Storm the Gates of Hell

What Will it Take?

Only a small minority of healthcare students who aspire to be missionaries actually serve long-term. One in five medical missionaries don’t stick with it for more than four years. There are daunting obstacles to going and to staying. Using both research data and the presenter’s experiences, this session will identify the best strategies for preparation that lead to long-term success.

In 2000 the global community through the United Nations adopted ambitious goals to improve the lives of especially the least advantaged in the world by 2015 – Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Since 1970 the Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP), Jamkhed, India, has pioneered the philosophy, principles and practice of comprehensive, community-based primary health care. Through this ap...

The course will deal with poverty in the urban slum. Attention will be given to a Biblical framework for development and a strategy for doing "Kingdom Development". Illustrations will come from lessons being learned in Nairobi, Kenya, Addis Ababa Ethiopia, and Bangkok Thailand.