Bridging Spiritual Growth and Physical Health in Ministry

The core of your message should focus on the beautiful harmony between physical healing and spiritual restoration, recognizing that medical missionary work is the "right hand" of the gospel message14LtMs, Lt 37, 1899, par. 3+1. It is a wonderful privilege to share that many can recover from illness by simply living out the laws of health—such as utilizing pure air, water, and exercise—rather than relying on drugsMM 259.5+1. You can encourage your congregation by teaching that eating is a sacred act and that proper food is divinely ordainedGCDB March 1, 1899, page 119.13. Remind them that the way to the throne of God is always open for silent petitions for strength, and that true religion is distinguished by the same tenderness and compassion that Christ showed as the Great PhysicianPr 179.4+1.

...or every branch of the work. But every phase of the work is to be under the supervision of God. The medical missionary work is to the cause of God as the right hand to the body. It would not be right for all the strength of the body to go to the right hand, and neither is it ...— 14LtMs, Lt 37, 1899, par. 3

Many might recover without one grain of medicine, if they would live out the laws of health. Drugs need seldom be used. It will require earnest, patient, protracted effort to establish the w...— MM 259.5 (1932)

...schools, the first thing at each session is a prayer. Proper food is a divinely ordained thing, and eating is a sacred act. This our teachers say when they open a cooking-school; also, when we open a school of health, we h...— GCDB March 1, 1899, page 119.13

Drug medication is a curse to this enlightened age. Educate away from drugs. Use them less and less, and depend more upon hygienic agencies; then nature will respond to God’s physicians&mdas...— 6LtMs, Lt 6a, 1890, par. 29 (1889)

...he gospel, but is to be bound up with it. Christ gave a perfect representation of true godliness by combining the work of a physician and a minister, ministering to the needs of both body and soul, healing physical disease, and then speaking words ...— RH June 9, 1904, par. 7 (1851)

Genuine medical missionary work is inseparably bound up with the keeping of God's commandments and the third angel's message2TT 503.1+1. You may suggest that every member take hold of this work, as the world is like a lazar-house in need of the light of truthRP September 15, 1908, par. 12. In your devotionals, emphasize that a person's character is more valuable than silver or gold and that integrity and perseverance make one strong to resist evilT30 189.1. Teach that following Christ's example involves a life of self-denial and a vital connection with the Source of all lightPH082 6.2+1. Finally, encourage the church that fervent prayer combined with practical effort will surely result in successTe 88.2+1.

“We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar-house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere ...— RP September 15, 1908, par. 12 (1907)

I cannot too strongly urge all our church members, all who are true missionaries, all who believe the third angel's message, all who turn away their feet from the Sabbath, to consi...— 2TT 503.1 (1949)

...ain the future life, but that we may be useful here. Young men and young women should regard a good character as a capital of more value than gold or silver or stocks. It will be unaffected by panics and failures, and will bring rich returns when earthly p...— T30 189.1 (1881)

...ient, protracted effort to establish the work and to carry it forward upon hygienic principles. But let fervent prayer and faith be combined with your efforts, and you will succeed. By this work you will be teaching the patients, and others also, how to take...— Te 88.2 (1949)