Pre-field Orientation

Your mission sending organization will give you a general orientation to medical missions. This conference focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities in healthcare missions overseas. Visit our website for registration and other information on this great seminar.
 
This conference is for everyone who will be involved at any level of healthcare ministry - not just doctors and dentists! If you are married, bring your spouse. We will be covering topics that both of you need to hear – topics like the following:

• How do I live with a sense of never finishing what “ought to” be done?
   
• What I will face as a single or as a married person with a family? Where will I find friends? What about my spouse and kids? How do we survive and even thrive? I have concerns about school, adjustments, socialization, and so many others.
   
• What are the keys to developing and maintaining empathy, compassion, love and joy in my medical ministry?
   
• I desire to be “holistic” but how do I minister to spiritual needs across culture? It seems easier in the areas of the world open to the Gospel but I feel called to the Unreached countries where the Gospel is not welcome. How do I minister there? How do different religions view health, disease and medical care and define “healer”?
   
• Have you thought about some key principles for the developing world - accessible, affordable, equitable and sustainable healthcare principles? Have you thought how these critical issues should impact your ministry?
   
• What are the key ethical issues in medicine and missions?
   
• How do I become an effective healthcare team member in the culture I will be entering? Health systems in the developing world require a much greater emphasis on a health-team approach, how do I integrate?
   
• How do I empower others? What are the keys to not creating dependency but to empowering communities and individuals in healthcare?


• How do I learn and function in crucial areas for which I am not prepared? What are these areas and what are the resources to help?

   
Come and join this special time and meet others who are at the same point in their missionary career. You will leave with new friends and be better prepared for what God has called you to do.

For the first time, this conference will be held at Jubilee Retreat Center in Abingdon, VA (just 12 miles up the road from where participants have stayed in the past).  

Apply early!