Medical missions have a long and impressive history. During the past two

centuries, missions were the first to bring medical care into many parts of the

world and to make it available to a multitude of people groups. From the

beginning the emphasis was on providing care for the poor and the underserved,

thus following the example of Christ. Millions of people were cured of a variety of

diseases. The compassion of Christ was demonstrated, and great numbers of

people came into the Kingdom of God through the efforts of medical missionaries.

Thousands of nurses and other healthcare workers were trained in mission

medical facilities. And mission medical programs often served as models for

government and other medical services.

During the latter half of the twentieth century, much has changed. Government

health services expanded rapidly in most countries and were better funded and

equipped than most mission medical services. Governments established medical

schools and training schools for other health workers, and began placing

restrictions on the services and training programs offered by missions. Escalating

costs of medical care made it increasingly difficult for missions to maintain quality

health services. At the same time churches were growing in many of the areas

served by medical missions and began assuming responsibility for the medical

programs. On the political side, governments of some nations expelled all foreign

missionaries, forcing the turnover of medical institutions to national control. A

strong feeling then developed in North American and European churches and

mission agencies that the era of medical missions was over.

Is the era of medical missions indeed over? The answer to this is both Yes and

No. The old paradigm of medical missions is over and should have disappeared a

decade or more ago. On the other hand, the challenges, opportunities, and

responsibilities facing Christian health ministries are greater than ever.

Furthermore, the mandate Christ gave to his disciples to heal the sick has not

changed. Obedience to this mandate in the twenty-first century will require new

paradigms and a whole new orientation to health needs and ministries around the

world.

Dan Fountain, MD, MPH

Global Health Training Program

King College, 1350 King College Road

Bristol, TN 37620-2699

Phone (423) 652-4708; FAX 423-652-4788

E-mail:

DEFountain@King.edu

New Paradigms in Christian Health Ministries

Letter

from the

Editor

Crossne

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Journal