Using medicine to carry the Gospel; Carrying for refugees; A pro-life response

Good News for Today

A health care triad – including a hospital, a rural clinic and a nursing college – in East Java, Indonesia is reaching far beyond the island’s, and even the country’s, borders.

The history dates back to 1951, when missionaries first went to the island nation. Medical work wasn’t far behind, and it soon became a key strategy for Gospel access.

Today, the medical facilities are led by Indonesian medical professionals who are committed to the Gospel and the vision to use health care to make the Gospel known to all nations.

IMB missionary Jacob Stanley says, “More than 60 churches, still in existence today, can trace their roots to the evangelistic work” of the hospital.

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There are different ways Christians can help refugees adjust to America, but they all tend to revolve around the subject of availability.

“We’re needing people willing to do life with refugee families,” said Jason Lee, Mission/Go pastor at Clarkston International Bible Church.

When resettled refugees enter the U.S., various timetables begin, Lee said. They need to be enrolled in an English as a Second Language (ESL) program within ten days. The same goes for enrolling in employment services. Children are supposed to be enrolled in school within the first 30 days.

Lee also directs the Acts 17 Initiative to help those families settle and begin a new life. Launched in 2017, its goal is to educate, equip, engage and network with churches toward developing partnerships and strategies that assist immigrants and refugees.

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If the sanctity of human life is on your mind as approach November’s election, what should you do? A Baptist Press piece suggests:

First, pray. Ask God to open the eyes of our fellow Americans to recognize the value of human life and to move them to vote accordingly.

Vote. We must get to the polls during this election cycle. If your state has abortion on the ballot, get educated about it and vote accordingly.

Serve. Most likely, there is a pregnancy support center near you. Get involved. Give financially.

Engage graciously. Look for resources that speak to the value of human life.

Live according to Colossians 4:5-6, “Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.” (CSB)
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If you’re a medical professional, you can use your skills for more than physical healing. Learn how at IMB.org.