The Missionary Doctor in South America

THE spirit of Christian evangelism is sweeping South America. In the vanguard of this endeavor is the medical evangelistic program of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In the large cities with their multimillions of inhabitants, in the Amazon jungles, in the vast prairie areas, the medical evangelist is diligently at work.

Medical launches are plying the great rivers of South America bringing medical help and the gospel of Jesus Christ to the inhabitants of primitive areas. Following newly constructed roads into the jungles of central South America, modern mobile clinics are bringing medical help where none has previously been available. Our mission planes are supporting medical evangelism by carrying personnel and supplies into other isolated areas.

Scattered strategically through out South America are our permanent medical facilities, clinics, hospitals, and schools. These units are staffed by South American missionary physicians, each dedicated to the ministry of healing.

What is a missionary doctor? Here in the United States we recognize the missionary doctor as one who has left his homeland for service overseas. He has joined the foreign evangelistic arm of the church as a regular denominational worker. Our professional friends in South America have a much broader concept of the work of a missionary doctor.

First, medical evangelists are men and women happy in their love for Jesus Christ and enthusiastic in their desire to witness that love in their practice of the healing arts. They not only believe in Jesus as the Son of God and in salvation through Him, but they also have the hope of His soon re turn to earth for the purpose of taking His faithful children home. They have manifested this faith by pledging themselves completely to the ministry of healing.

Physicians may be assigned to isolated mission hospitals far in the interior, or they may be specialists on the staff of institutions in the great cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, or Buenos Aires. Some are administrators of medical programs in primitive areas, while others are on the faculties of famous medical schools. Not a few are successful specialists in various fields of medical practice.

Predominate Characteristics

There is one predominant characteristic held in common by missionary doctors. From their studies of God's Holy Word and the inspired counsel given to our church through the writings of Ellen White, they feel the Lord would have them practice medicine as a part of the healing ministry of the church. The mission of the church is their mission and their prime commitment. This is true whether they work in the modern city or in the primitive jungle.

One other characteristic is their youth. While some of our older physicians are also missionary physicians, by and large it is the younger men who have been able to act upon a new vision of old landmarks in the rich traditions of Seventh-day Adventist medical work. All through this great division territory of South America are small clinics and hospitals that are the result of the sacrificial service of our missionary doctors. These units have been opened in areas of spiritual need and God has blessed their efforts. Churches are being built in increasing numbers around these units.

Two of our larger hospitals in South America are developing the capacity to train young physicians in the various specialties. One, the River Plate Adventist Hospital, is located in a rural area, quite far from any cities or towns, yet the patronage of this hospital is constantly growing. Patients come from hundreds of miles around because of the Christian compassion and professional excellence of our workers there. All the doctors in this modern medical institution are missionary physicians.

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the well-equipped Silvestre Adventist Hospital represents the church's healing mission. Located on the side of a mountain overlooking the city, its facilities are available for use by private physicians in the area. A current expansion pro gram will make this institution one of the most modern hospitals in South America. Additions include modern operating rooms and the finest diagnostic facilities. The young medical staff are eagerly upgrading their capabilities as specialists.

New Spirit Generated

A new spirit has been generated as more of our doctors pattern their work along lines suggested by the Spirit of Prophecy. In in creasing numbers these young people are committing themselves to a worker relationship with the health program of the church. This represents a sacrificial type of service, for some private doctors in this area earn far higher in comes than do their counterparts here in North America. But these young medical evangelists are seeking to capture the blessing and spirit of those who were pioneers in Adventist medicine. They feel that they are carrying out the gospel commission.

In many areas of the world, Adventist doctors have developed an independence from the organizational structure of the church and prefer to pursue their professional activities as private physicians while continuing a faithful membership and support of the church. Our missionaries in South America have no criticism toward their independent colleagues, but they have been impelled to move in a different direction. They have discovered that a united Christian service provides more spiritual opportunity for evangelism.

This change to a regular worker status for our physicians and dentists was not easy, but it has been successfully effected in a way which has not diminished the service of those continuing in private practice.

One is impressed by the zeal and enthusiasm of these medical and dental workers. They are ambitious to qualify themselves as competent in the various specialties so their Christian service will be effective for the work of the church.

In South America we have scores of young people in medical schools operated in various countries. Many of these young medical students are already committed to the plan of missionary service.

South America is beginning to send missionary physicians over seas. Two have gone to Angola. The church's larger hospitals are planning to train and qualify them for overseas service.

God is blessing the missionary doctors now working in South America. Their number is growing rapidly, and they promise to greatly strengthen the cause of God.