HCM offers hands-on experience for students seeking medical missions future | Print |
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Continuing the commitment to bring long-term impact, HCM has invested in the next generation of healthcare providers by including college students in a recent medical evangelism trip.

Fourteen Evangel University students accompanied HCM's medical evangelism team to El Salvador this past spring break to set up a free medical, dental and optical clinic.  They served in two locations-Nueva Esperanza, a community built for refugees, and at King's Castle ministry training center.

For sophomore Meleah Crockett, a biology/nursing major from Billings, Mo., the trip confirmed God's calling on her life.

"My heart was broken for the people we served," Meleah said.  "And I have never felt more confident that God has called me to reach the people who need physical and spiritual healing."

The team worked with missionaries Don and Terri Triplett, whose goal for the medical evangelism clinic was to demonstrate compassion and the love of Christ to hurting people.  1,182 patients were treated during the five-day clinic, and 106 people made decisions to follow Christ.

Kathleen Ewing, a nurse from Washington State, led the team while Dr. Richard Honderick, a Springfield, Mo. physician, mentored the team of students, mostly biology and nursing majors.  They not only saw the physical ministry taking place, but also witnessed the spiritual aspect of medical evangelism.  Many of them were able to pray with patients at the clinic, sharing their lives and leading them to the Lord.

During team devotions, 2 Timothy 1:7 was shared with the team.  "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self‑discipline."  Many of the team members said that this verse gave them the courage throughout the clinic to reach out to the patients and share Christ's love. 

Melody Olivarez, a senior biology major from Ft. Collins. Colo., took this verse to heart while witnessing to patients about Jesus.

"We might be afraid," Melody said.  "But if we take that step [of faith], God will reward it."

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