MH page 144

We should ever remember that the object of the medical missionary work is to point sin-sick men and women to the Man of Calvary, who taketh away the sin of the world. By beholding Him, they will be changed into His likeness. We are to encourage the sick and suffering to look to Jesus and live. Let the workers keep Christ, the Great Physician, constantly before those to whom disease of body and soul has brought discouragement. Point them to the One who can heal both physical and spiritual disease. Tell them of the One who is touched with the feeling of their infirmities. Encourage them to place themselves in the care of Him who gave His life to make it possible for them to have life eternal. Talk of His love; tell of His power to save.

The ultimate aim of medical missionary work is to direct suffering individuals to Christ for spiritual and physical healing. This articulates the religious purpose and theological framework underlying health ministry.

This is the high duty and precious privilege of the medical missionary. And personal ministry often prepares the way for this. God often reaches hearts through our efforts to relieve physical suffering.

Relieving physical suffering is a means of personal ministry that helps prepare hearts to receive spiritual truth. The paragraph discusses the duty of medical missionaries and how physical care aids spiritual outreach without making empirical biomedical claims.

Medical missionary work is the pioneer work of the gospel. In the ministry of the word and in the medical missionary work the gospel is to be preached and practiced.

Medical missionary work serves as pioneer work for the gospel, combining the preaching and practice of the word. This is a statement regarding the philosophy and methodology of religious outreach and ministry.

In almost every community there are large numbers who do not listen to the preaching of God's word or attend any religious service. If they are reached by the gospel, it must be carried to their homes. Often the relief of their physical needs is the only avenue by which they can be approached. Missionary nurses who care for the sick and relieve the distress of the poor will find many opportunities to pray with them, to read to them from God's word, and to speak of the Saviour. They can pray with and for the helpless ones who have not strength of will to control the appetites that passion has degraded. They can bring a ray of hope into the lives of the defeated and disheartened. Their unselfish love, manifested in acts of disinterested kindness, will make it easier for these suffering ones to believe in the love of Christ.

Meeting the physical needs of those outside religious circles through unselfish service opens avenues to share spiritual hope and comfort. It highlights ministry methods and social engagement strategies for reaching unchurched populations.