Ministries Making a Difference Medical missions—local and abroad

Last month, my dad fell ill. He had spent a week in his recliner feeling sluggish and weak with no appetite. Then he got hit with body spasms that left him lethargic. What we didn’t realize was a kidney infection had been brewing until it simmered into sepsis.

A late night ER visit turned into emergency surgery and a three-day hospital stay. Today, thankfully, my dad is still recovering but on his way back to full health.

I was struck by how differently it could have gone. Without the ambulance, nearby hospital, medical team (and brilliant ER nurse), imaging, and antibiotics, my dad could have died.

It was a potent reminder that life is short, death is certain, and the best intentions don’t replace faithful action. I will be checking in with my dad a whole lot more often.

I was also a reminder of how important medical professionals are to those who need care. We had access to what we needed for my dad—so much so that I’d almost take it for granted. But many people around the world—and maybe even our own communities—do not. There are ministries standing in the gap for them.

Many of those ministries will be at the 30th annual Global Mission Health Conference next month. The event, held in Louisville, Kentucky, will feature more than 100 medical mission-related ministries, including Eye Doc In A Box, whose innovative eye kit is being used by one of the ministries we’re featuring this week.

Medical missions—whether local or abroad—is the inspiration behind this week’s Ministries Making a Difference.

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The Neighborhood Christian Clinic in Arizona last week announced the appointment of Angela Shope as the ministry’s new executive director. Neighborhood Christian Clinic provides healthcare to the uninsured and under insured throughout Phoenix, Arizona, and is bold about empowering medical staff to share the Gospel with patients. The team gathers for prayer twice a day, and doctors offer to pray with patients. The Neighborhood Christian Clinic is one of MinistryWatch’s Shining Lights, with five stars, an A transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100.

 

Real Options Obria Medical Clinic in San Jose, California, is walking out its mission to provide holistic care for women and families by focusing on prevention, intervention, and restorative services. Just last week, Real Options hosted one of its health workshops—called RealTalk—for ninth graders at Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School in Oakland. More than just a pregnancy resource center, Real Options also helps women work toward emotional healing after pregnancy loss, and sends out college outreach teams to support students who are pregnant or parents. RealOptions Obria Medical Clinics has 3 stars and an A transparency grade in the MinistryWatch database, and a high donor confidence score of 92.

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In 2024, Christian Health Service Corps was able to serve 811,986 patients who live in areas where healthcare is scarce, and helped deliver 19,238 babies, according to its annual report. CHSC specializes in child health, maternal care, and surgical services. The ministry supports 30 hospitals throughout 27 countries like Ukraine, Honduras, India, and throughout Africa, providing quality, affordable healthcare to people who need it. CHSC is another of MinistryWatch’s Shining Lights, with the highest rating in each of our three categories—5 stars, an A transparency grade, and a donor confidence score of 100 (“Give With Confidence”).

 

This week, a team with Elder Orphan Care is in Romania serving at a home that cares for elderly men and women who were once forgotten. The team is using an innovative “Eye Doc in a Box” kit to test people’s vision and distribute glasses. While Romania is where the mission for Elder Orphan Care was born, its headquarters are in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, where it works with local elderly men and women, providing healthcare, companionship, and compassionate care.