Content Resources

Poverty is commonly associated with lack. Long term missions in Haiti has received significant contributions to address that lack during the last several decades - personnel, materials and more. What is the current status in this hurting country? Is this help continuing and in what ways? What is being done and can it be done differently? There are some initiatives in the country that are rising as examples of success. What are the key guiding principles in these new initiatives and how are they modeling and instilling fresh hope in this devastated country?

This workshop will explore concepts, principles and recommendations for the involvement of people of faith and the local church in HIV and AIDS ministry. At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to: • Identify characteristics, roles and functions of faith communities which are suited for HIV and AIDS ministry and programs.• Explore personal and congregational barriers that hinder faith-based involvement in HIV and AIDS efforts. • Develop a specific individual and corporate plan of action for addressing HIV and AIDS within their communities and congregations.

The panel will address the challenges and rewards of serving internationally as a single person. It will provide food for thought and prayer for those who are considering and preparing for cross-cultural service.

Missions is about who we are and what we're called to be. We often think of missions as primarily something we, or others, "do." Of course we engage in missions but when we look at the Bible we find that missions is at the heart of God's story of making all things new in Christ. We are called to take part in this story--not only tell it and study it but live it. When we see that missions in the Bible is not simply a handfull of texts but is at the very heart of God's unfolding plan then we can find our place in God's redemptive story. In this session we'll take a fresh look at what missions is all about in the Bible, and how God has gone about fulfiliing his promise to the nations in Christ and what that means for us today. Hopefully each of us will go away with a renewed vision for the missional life God has given us.

This session describes how healthcare professionals, working in developing countries, will require a lot improvisations. In addition, the speaker will explain how healing requires more than healing just the body. There will be a discussion on how to provide healthcare with limited medications, technology, help and limited understanding. There will be a brief discussion on how healthcare providers put themselves at risk and finally, a overview of how to train and equip locals to sustain healthcare once the healthcare team has left the area.

Sign up for this workshop when you arrive at the conference registration desk. Space is limitedThe skills of wound management and suturing are frequently needed by medical and nursing professionals in mission settings. Often there is not a surgeon available, and the next most qualified person to take care of the patient may be you. Accurate suturing skills are an important part of acute wound management which can be performed well with a little training in careful technique. This workshop is a practical hands-on approach to suturing for non-surgeons. We will walk you step by step through closure of a wound by using a pig's foot in place of the patient. Basic, easy to use, but reliable techniques of suturing will be introduced or reviewed. This session will include a demonstration and practice of: • the basics of wound healing and closure• guidelines for choosing the correct suture and needle • correct knot tying methods ( for right or left handed persons)• wound closure with a variety of suturing techniques • common pitfalls • practical tips on improving your technique. Space will be limited to medical, nursing professionals, or students in these professions. Sign up early. Please review the attached PowerPoint presentation before you attend the session.

Parasites are the cause of many common tropical diseases. Recognizing the typical presentation and prevention of parasitic diseases can be extremely valuable for those practicing in a tropical setting. We will explore short case vignettes to illustrate the classic diseases caused by protozoa, worms and ectoparasites. Those who wish to present their own cases are also invited to participate. Bring your powers of observation and clinical wit to diagnose these mystery cases.

Worksite wellness is one of the 5 groups of communities for community engagement. Schools are a specialized workplace. Consistent health / wellness messages in schools and worksites will reach the family from two strategic directions.

Public health is not often formally established in mission's organizations. Public health is a more sustainable compassionate ministries outreach than clinics and hospitals therefore should be a key part of indigenous church strategies.

Community engagement is the facilitation of communities to own their own problems and solutions within their resources. Key cross cultural communications competencies and skills are necessary to effectively facilitate community engagement.

This session will share answers on how to become a medical missionary. Each person who attends will receive a 3 x 5 card when they enter the room. The moderator John McVay will group and select questions, direct them to appropriate panelists, and receive questions from the floor. Probable topics discussed from questions expected are: Guidance, Agencies, Training, Funding, Singles, and Families.

Urban health care and the gospel must embrace our communities. Living, working and serving within the context of the community we serve draws us toward God’s love for people and helps us identify with our neighbors. Should one try to move into communities of poverty in order to serve there? How can we encourage those indigenous to our communities to stay to serve God within the context of their lives? This workshop will explore Christ’s healing ministry among those he came to serve. Susan Post, the director of Esperanza Health Center and Tony Gonzalez, an Esperanza leader will share their experiences, challenges and vision for health care ministry as one who relocated into North Philadelphia and one who grew up in North Philadelphia. We need one another to be able to gain a more complete vision for effective Christ-centered health care ministry.