Keep Your Lamp Burning

"More people go to the hospitals than any other social institution “, said Dr. Yang Kwon Chen. With his overwhelming love for Jesus and commitment to obey the Great Commission, he started the Medical Ministry of Philippine Campus Crusade for Christ in the 1980s. As a young medical student he shared the Four spiritual laws to all his 140 classmates but not a single one responded positively. Only one responded albeit reluctantly. Despite being discouraged Yang continued to reach other medical students and his efforts eventually paid off. His vision to reach more hospitals and medical schools slowly became a reality. 

From that dream God raised a core of leaders and multipliers in the medical field who started Doctors in Touch in June 1990. Their vision is to see a dynamic spiritual movement of Christ-led INFLUENCERS in HEALTHCARE. Since then, countless doctors and medical practitioners across the Philippines have been reached, discipled and equipped to influence their colleagues, patients, and hospital staff for Christ. Doctors in Touch is present in every major city in the Philippines and  sponsors the yearly Back to the Cross Medical Congress. This year’s 23rd Medical Congress was held in Valencia, Bukidnon.  More than 250 delegates from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao joined the 3-day event, mostly doctors from various medical fields. They received inspiring devotional messages, training in evangelism and follow up, and were challenged to win, build and send disciples. They also put their training into practice through actual witnessing opportunities in three hospitals and were reminded of the importance of  caring for their patients. This year’s theme KEEP YOUR LAMP BURNING was summarized in three powerful messages: Live Ready, Serve Faithfully and Finish Well. 

As a missionary of Cru, the whole experience for me was like attending a Leadership Training Conference (LTC) that I used to attend during my college years. So blessed to see that doctors are taking the lead. They caught the vision of Cru and truly owned it. Their commitment was so contagious! Through the testimonies shared in plenary sessions and small groups over those three days, I witnessed more how doctors are like missionaries. They care not only for the physical needs of their patients but also place  equal importance on their spiritual needs. It was a joy to see more doctors understand that they are involved in a movement — that of making disciples. They are an army God has raised to reach the medical field.  The love, passion and dedication of Dr. Edward Magsombol, the president of this medical movement, were very infectious. God is using him to raise up young doctors who are also taking the helm of leadership in various branches of the medical harvest field. Praise the Lord!

During the first night, Dr. Sixto Siguan, a 71-year old heart surgeon from Cebu City, shared how he accepted Christ. Another doctor shared the Four Spiritual Laws with him, but at the time, he showed little interest until he nearly died of a heart attack. On the operating table, he realized that God is giving him a brand new heart. That was the beginning of his journey with Christ. Now, at 71, he continues to walk faithfully with the most wonderful Healer he has ever met.

The three days were filled with wonderful testimonies of how God is moving in the medical field. All glory belongs to Him alone! 

 

Article written by: Che Solijon