Health Care Opportunities

The situation in Ukraine, both economic and spiritual, is good soil for Christian medical activity. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the resulting independence of Ukraine, we are experiencing religious freedom. However, we are also facing an economic crisis with high unemployment, insufficient salaries (i.e. $40 per month to doctors), and rising inflation.

Believers and non-believers alike encounter serious health problems. American Christian health care professionals can encourage believers by coming to Ukraine to provide medical assistance. Free clinics organized by Christian doctors and nurses, both American and Ukrainian, attract unbelievers. When the church expresses unconditional love, such as through helping meet medical needs, people are more deeply touched by the gospel.

ABWE missionary physician Miriam Wheeler has done this in the Odessa area, even helping to start new churches through the clinics.

Many times, physical symptoms are caused by emotional and spiritual problems. We learned more about this relationship at a seminar for pastors and medical personnel. Miriam and her ABWE colleague Sharon Rahilly, RN, Ph.D., taught about the connection between physical and spiritual problems. We enjoyed the fellowship with Ukrainian Christians from other cities, and appreciated the practical lessons which were applicable to our medical practice.

Another aspect of medical ministry is for Christian health care professionals to reach out to their unsaved peers. In the spring of 2000, professionals were asked to bring their unsaved colleagues to another seminar in Odessa. We enjoyed the interaction and lectures, and our unsaved friends were challenged to seriously consider the gospel for the first time. Encouraged by the impact of this seminar, my church hosted an evangelistic medical seminar in November 2000. Miriam and Sharon came to Irpen (near Kiev) as our main speakers. Forty unsaved doctors and nurses attended. They heard medical topics and a gospel presentation. Some are asking when the next seminar will be. Health care professionals in my church are helping me follow up on these contacts. A dentist recently trusted Christ as her personal Savior. In April 2001, Dr. John Greene (an American professor of medicine) and Dr. Jack Sorg (ABWE missionary) spent a week lecturing on the subject of AIDS at various hospitals and universities. We planted seeds of truth in the hearts of 200 Ukrainian health care professionals and 1,200 students.

The example of ABWE medical missionaries has emboldened me to reach out to my peers and encouraged me to use medicine to touch people's hearts for Jesus Christ.

For information about Medical Missions Interface, medical missions trips, or needs for medical personnel in various countries, please contact: Dr. Jack Sorg, Director of Medical Missionary Enlistment. Phone: (770) 466-3795 E-mail: 110561.3047@compuserve.com