I was recruiting for volunteers to go to Haiti for my 2nd trip there.
The previous year, my wife and I and a handful of volunteers from my church went to visit our church member Elsie, who felt called to go back to her home country of Haiti and planted a children’s ministry in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
It was life-changing as it was the first time I had encountered that level of poverty personally. We had no running water or more than 2 hours of electricity per day. We met many young people that barely had a single meal a day and at that time, Elsie’s ministry had a healthy food program for her young people.
The following year, I knew that I wanted to return with more ministry programs for the children and youth.
In the lobby of church, a young Haitian woman came up and asked if I would be interested in doing a medical clinic during our trip.
I said that’s a great idea - but I had no idea what would be involved in it. I had never thought of such a thing and had never known anyone else who had done such a thing.
We prepared as best we could and we found a charity that gave us $20,000 worth of medicines for free (because it would expire in 3 months).
I figured that we would see 50 people. Back then, there was no social media, no Facebook, no Instagram or any way that such a thing could be announced in the community other than word of mouth.
On the first day, we were overwhelmed by the response. Dozens of people came to camp out in front of the ministry house before dawn. We only had 2 physicians and a nurse and a prayer team.
Every day, we were completely swamped by desperate people wanting to be seen.
We ended up seeing ~750 people. It was a wake-up call to the need and demand for medical missions to the poorest of the poor, the under-served.
I was greatly moved by the conditions I saw, the stories I heard of pitiful lack of access to any kind of healthcare and the desperation of the people. It reminded me of the story in the Bible of the woman with an issue of blood, but multiplied by 750.
This was the beginning of medical missions for me and my church and ultimately World Compassion Fellowship.
And here we are 25 years, 20 countries, 37,000 people in our mobile clinics and 175,000 people in our Life Center, later.
Here are some Scriptures that talk about healing, having compassion on the sick, and medical missions.
30 Bible Verses
Jesus’ Example and Teaching on Healing and Care
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'
As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”
Compassion and the Role of Medicine
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to one's whole body.
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
God as Healer and Restorer
He said, “If you listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.”
Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays.
Prayer and Faith in Healing
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.
Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Purpose and Calling of Medical Missions
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
Join a Medical Mission Team
Use your medical skills to bring compassionate care and the love of Christ to underserved communities. World Compassion Fellowship invites doctors, nurses, dentists, physical therapists, and other healthcare professionals to explore medical mission opportunities in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Your skills can make an eternal difference.