2021 M3 Conference

Sharing the Light, Restoring Vision: A Pilgrimage of a Missionary Ophthalmologist and Family

Speaker(s):
Ben Roberts, MD

Description:
The calling and commitment to serve Jesus through medical missions is a journey filled with joy, excitement, disappointments, and pain.  Our family has served at Tenwek Mission Hospital since 2006, but the journey began long before that.  Greater than the mission is the Master who does the calling and leading.  This talk will describe our journey and offer some practical insights in how to listen, pursue, and serve the Master using medical missions.

Serving God with Open Hands

Speaker(s):
Kelly Sites, RN

Description:
Often times we hold those we love, our passions, goals, dreams and skills, our future, our professions, and serving God, with clenched fists. We want to maintain control and keep a firm grip on it all. Learn how serving God with open hands sets you free and takes you on a wild adventure of knowing a bigger God and a fulfilling life of service.

Where do People get their Medical Care?

Speaker(s):
Jon Fielder, MD

Description:
In the early 2000s, Dr. Jon Fielder felt the Lord leading him to Africa to care for those infected with HIV.  What began as a two-year stint became two decades and moved from fighting one disease to approaching broader hospital and health system challenges.  One doctor shares his story of navigating the changing role of medical missionaries amidst the evolving African medical landscape.

What’s in Your Hands? A Journey Out of the Village

Speaker(s):
Anne Alaniz, DO

Description:
How does a 17-year-old girl from a small village in Malawi, Africa with no name, no money and no roots become a Gynecologic Oncologist in the United States of America? And beyond that accomplishment, how does she become co-founder of an organization in her home village that now cares for orphans, widows and the sick. Follow the journey of God’s grace and provision for His call of obedience to a village girl who thought her hands were empty, but God knew she had everything He needed to accomplish what seemed impossible.

The Gospel and Human Trafficking

Speaker(s):
Leigh Kohler

Description:
Human trafficking is one of the devastating results of a sinful and broken world. There are over 40 million people around the world trapped in slavery. Women, children and men are sold for free labor, sold for their organs and sold as sex slaves. In this session, we will discuss human trafficking and the unique role we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have in the work of pursuing justice and seeing captives set free.

Where Do I Fit in the Bigger Story?

Speaker(s):
Andrew Scott

Description:
To understand our calling, we need to widen our perspective. Rather than try to fit God into our story, let’s unpack how we were made to be a piece of the Big story, and experience the freedom and clarity that comes from understanding how it all fits together.

COVID-19 in Africa:  A View from the Ground

Speaker(s):
Jon Fielder, MD

Description:
Why has Africa been relatively spared from the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic?  What is it like caring for COVID-19 patients in an African hospital?  What lessons can we learn for global health and development?

Make a Lasting Impact:  Multiply Yourself!

Speaker(s):
Rebecca (Becki) Thompson, RN

Description:
How to make the maximum difference as a missionary nurse.  Invest in training, discipling and empowering godly nurses. They will then be equipped to change, both physically and spiritually, their communities and their nations.

Launching Your International Healthcare Career

Speaker(s):
Nicholas Comninellis, MD, MPH, DIMPH

Description:
Healthcare professionals enjoy a strong record of service to forgotten people. However, this career track is associated with high turnover, especially in international and cross-cultural settings. Unique professional skills are required, for the diseases may be different, medical resources minimal, cultural context challenging, and leadership skills insufficient. This presentation first addresses the principles of wise decision making. Next, professional decisions are addressed, including the selection of a professional specialty, a community to serve, a sending organization, and language learning needs. Finally, personal decisions are explored, including money management, personal health, spiritual health, family relationships, and legal guidance.

Called to Share God’s Love as an Instrument of His Healing

Speaker(s):
Stephen J. Spann, MD, MBA

Description:
Dr. Stephen Spann felt a clear sense of calling to the profession of medicine at a very young age.  Blessed to grow up in Uruguay in a missionary family bilingual and bicultural, that calling has been lived out in caring for hurting patients around the world, teaching and role modeling compassionate care, and providing leadership to medical education and health care delivery programs in a number of countries.  Dr. Spann will share his story of how trying to follow God’s calling to share His love as an instrument of His healing has led him to amazing opportunities for ministry and moments of indescribable joy.

Mountain Go Throw Yourself into the Sea

Speaker(s):
Beryl D’Souza-Vali, MRCPCH

Description:
Dismantling oppressive systems using Healthcare—A journey of challenging and breaking systems of exploitation including sex trafficking using healthcare and community work.

What are You Here For? Motivations in Missions

Speaker(s):
Russ E. White, MD, MPH, FACS, FCS (ECSA)

Description:
Biblical, medical, and practical motivations for involvement in medical mission work.

Here Am I

Speaker(s):
Mitch Duininck, MD, FAAFP

Description:
The options are endless.  The opportunities are myriad.  The needs are overwhelming.  The arguments are plentiful.  The workers are few.  The harvest is abundant.  His grace is enough!  The Lord is asking – “Who will go; who should We send?”