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Exploring Medical Missions
Going Global
For the past 12 years, the Global Missions Health Conference (Louisville, Kentucky) has helped thousands of people explore their participation in medical missions. From its small beginnings—when a cardiologist experienced his first-short term mission trip—to its current three-day gatherings, the GMHC has become the largest conference of its kind in the world with more than 2,000 attendees each year.
The event, a ministry of Southeast Christian Church (also Louisville) and held each November on Southeast’s campus, includes plenary sessions, workshops (many with continuing education credit), exhibitors, and more.
“Each year the GMHC connects health-care professionals and students with one another and with mission workers, agencies, nonprofit organization leaders, and ministers,” the organization writes. “Networking among like-minded believers fosters action and unity regarding the call to evangelize every people.”
The event also includes a preconference to focus on specific issues like HIV/AIDS or holistic healing.
“Whether you are a dentist seeking opportunities in short-term medical missions or a medical missionary looking for partners, the GMHC provides one of the most inclusive gatherings for all areas of health ministry around the world,” says the conference. The 2010 event is scheduled for November 11-13.
www.medicalmissions.com
Hope for Suicide Survivors
After Nancy Cayward’s son killed himself, she discovered that many support groups allowed participants to remain “stuck” in their grief and anger.
In 2003 Cayward started her own group, The Anchor, at Colonial Point Christian Church (South Windsor, Connecticut).
“I determined this would be a place for people to move toward healing,” she says. “And Dave Johnson, our lead minister, said, ‘With God they usually heal better.’”
Therefore Cayward makes no apologies for calling the group “faith-based,” although she emphasizes The Anchor is open to anyone dealing with a suicide regardless of spiritual background or beliefs.
“A team of people at church regularly pray for this group,” she says. “I don’t talk a lot about the Bible because not everyone is a Christian. But we talk about God because many survivors are angry with God, and people know we will pray with them if they ask.”
The twice-monthly meetings begin with a candle lighting to represent the loved ones who died and the survivors around the world. Participants introduce themselves around the circle and share their own stories or react to discussion prompts Cayward prepares. Every meeting closes with the serenity prayer and hugs.
“We do a lot of hugging,” Cayward says. “We’ve bonded closely.”
Although he has not lost a loved one to suicide, Johnson often attends the meetings to support the group, and he speaks for a special preholiday gathering each fall.
Although she initially felt ill prepared to start The Anchor, Cayward says training by both the church (in small group leadership) and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention equipped her for the role.
Of course, her own experience as a survivor is the most significant “qualification,” and she recommends every group include at least one leader who has lost someone to suicide.
“There is a stigma attached to suicide, even in the church,” she says. “A professional therapist can be a great coleader, but there is no substitute for someone who has been through it. Our loss is no better or worse than anyone else’s, but it is unique.”
www.colonialpoint.com
Happy Campers
The new Fine Arts Summer Academy program launching this summer at Milligan College in Tennessee will give high school students new opportunities to explore music, multimedia, theater, and storytelling—and even receive a college credit.
Taught by Milligan faculty, the programs include hands-on workshops and lessons, afternoon and evening activities, worship and devotion times, and fun outings to destinations such as the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, and the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Students live in the college residence halls during their camp experience, and the seminars end with public performances for family and friends. Find detailed schedules, faculty bios, and registration information at www.milligan.edu/artsacademy.
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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