Healthcare and the Mission of God

"""Dr. Paul Hudson is a healer. I mean that in every sense of the word. He's a doctor, concerned not only with healing the diseased and also promoting health in people and communities. In his long career, he's also been an effective mission leader, concerned with healing hearts and lives broken by sin while promoting gospel flourishing in people and communities. In this book, beautifully written and well-researched, he offers a prescription for an unfortunate wound: the sad fracture of Word-based evangelism from deed-based medical care. Paul argues convincingly for a holistic gospel proclaiming healing/salvation for whole persons and the whole cosmos. Only such a Word and Deed approach to redemption will reflect the gospel of a Messiah who came both preaching and healing the sick, the lame and the blind. Take up this book; engage its heart-gripping stories, and wrestle with his argument. It's a healing balm for your soul!"" John R. Sittema, pastor, author of Meeting Jesus at the Feast ""This profound and practical book will be transformative to those planning to be medical missionaries or those already serving overseas. It shares the best antidote to burnout. It contains a prescription that will give you strength and joy as you face overwhelming needs. It provides a vaccine against disillusionment and much more. It is a must read!"" David Stevens, MD, MA (Ethics); CEO Emeritus of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (USA) ""This book by Dr. Paul Hudson speaks deeply to the mind, body, and soul. With thirty years of medical missionary experience in three countries, Paul speaks candidly as one wounded but healed and who is committed to ministering to the whole person. Through moving personal stories, Paul explains how Christian healthcare ministry is motivated by the Bible's whole story and God's whole work in restoring our broken world. The gospel is both spoken and seen, as demonstrated in healthcare ministry, which integrates the cultural and evangelistic mandates. We are called both to be disciples of Christ and to make disciples of Christ, locally and cross-culturally. This book answers the question, 'Where does my little life fit into the grand story of God's mission?'"" Dr. Patrick Fong, Global Ambassador, OMF International ""Dr. Paul Hudson has written a crucial book for cross-cultural medical workers based on his decades of service on 3 continents, from bedside doctor to mentor of physicians. He has been a profound encouragement in my journey. I would strongly encourage prospective and experienced cross cultural medical workers to read this book in order to understand better their purpose in building Jesus Christ's kingdom and to avoid making the mistakes of many previous generations."" Niles Batdorf, MD, missionary surgeon ""For 40 years, I have had the privilege of listening to, crying with, struggling alongside, and counseling healthcare missionaries. I have not found a book that addresses the person God calls to serve Him in healthcare mission so comprehensively and holistically. Dr. Hudson explores where and how we can find boundaries and balance to help us persevere joyfully in hard places through tough times. He describes how to achieve a sustainable ministry of personal faith, discipleship with others, and healthy perseverance. I will certainly be using this as a resource and recommending it to anyone engaging in God's mission with healthcare."" Jarrett W. Richardson III, MD, Psychiatrist, Rochester, MN Former Chair Christian Medical and Dental Associations CMDE Comm"