Churches and Medicine A
lmost 45 million people in the U.S. have no health insurance coverage, according to the U.S. Census Bu- reau. Known as the working poor, many of these have jobs but don’t have the benefi t of insurance and can’t aff ord medical coverage or care.
When an uninsured person receives emergency medical care, the cost of that care is covered by government subsidies, an increase in the amount physicians and hospitals charge other patients, and by increasing how much insurance companies charge their customers. One way Southern Baptists are battling this chronic problem is through healthcare ministries. As healthcare ministries consultant for the North Ameri- can Mission Board, Bill Sisson’s mission is to help Baptists at the community and state level diagnose the need for clinics in their area and encourage them to start free medical and dental clinics. “I really try to encourage Baptists to share Christ through quality healthcare,” says Sisson. “Together I think we can make a diff erence in peoples lives physically and spiritually.”
mission as volunteer counselors determine patients’ physical health, family health, mental health and understanding of the gospel. In explaining to patients the mission of MOJ, the intake volunteer explains God’s plan through Christ for the health of the whole person.
So when people like Eva Bragner come in des- perate for help with very little money to offer, she’s opening herself up to more than just a quick fi x for a swollen leg.
“We don’t preach at our patients,” says Theresa Nelson. “But we do pray for them, we show them God’s desire to heal them as whole people.” “Whenever Jesus met people He always addressed
fi rst their immediate needs,” says cardiac doctor Stan Horst, who sees patients at MOJ and maintains a pri- vate practice in Edmond. “We address an immediate need so they’re open to their eternal need.” OM
Adam Miller is associate editor of On Mission magazine.
Providing medical care to the underprivileged and under- insured in your community doesn’t have to be a daunting task, nor does it need to be comprehensive. You can start and build in increments with what you already have available. Is there a nurse or doctor in your church? Begin with who you know and what you have and make connections along the way. You don’t have to have a lot of money or provide a full range of services to be a benefi t to your community. Doctors who were in retirement can renew their licenses in some states and give of their time and skills, and often hos- pitals will partner with free clinics to provide other services including MRIs and treatment for chronic illness. Several states have legislation that provides either liability immunity or free liability coverage for medical professionals who do- nate their services.
“I’m here to remove misconceptions and obstacles and to teach all sides of this system how to work with churches, save money and hopefully provide better care,” Sisson says. “Healthcare ministry is believed by many to be the most ef- fective evangelism strategy in the world. It opens doors and gives the church entrance into people’s lives.” To fi nd out more about healthcare ministries visit
www.namb.net/minis- tryevangelism.
ON MISSION • Fall 2010 19
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