Medical Missions Committee Update

The Medical Missions Committee at 1st Presbyterian remains dedicated to advancing a robust medical ministry that supports the church’s global mission vision. One way we are called to serve is by addressing both the spiritual and physical needs of people around the world. To that end, the committee has written the following short- and long-term objectives:

Develop a roster of both medical and non-medical individuals interested in participating in medical missions.
Create a standard list of medications and supplies, adaptable for use by different medical teams.
Establish communication channels for medical mission updates, such as a website, email newsletters, bulletin boards, brochures, and social media.
Receive, evaluate, and respond to requests for short-term medical teams.
Recruit, equip, and mobilize at least one medical team each year.
Communicate with 1st Presbyterian and the broader community about opportunities in medical missions.

Ethiopia 2025

A team of three 1st Presbyterian members and one Rock Creek Fellowship member joined with others from around the US and traveled to Addis Ababa June 27 through July 6. Through partnership with Ethiopia ACT the team worked for 5 days in clinics set up in 3 community locations. ACT serves families in these communities where a member has a major medical diagnosis. By providing gospel centered, wholistic outreach to include housing and financial assistance, education for children in the household, as well as medical care, these beneficiaries are finding a future out of poverty. Short-term teams assist the ministry by increasing the capacity to provide medical care and through that care identify additional families in need.

A more detailed team report can be found HERE.

This trip was a great medical mission experience, and we hope to do more medical teams with Ethiopia ACT in the future.

Events

“By Order of the King: Evangelize, Preach, Endure!

The 1st Presbyterian World Missions Conference will be held this year on October 22-26 with many opportunities to meet missionaries, learn about their ministries, and see the awesome work God is accomplishing through our church. There will be a medical missions table set up during the conference and we look forward to seeing you. For more information about the conference go to the World Missions website at: https://www.1stpresbyterianworldmissions.com/conference

Global Missions Health Conference

November 6-8th, 2025, Louisville, KY

The GMHC is the world’s largest gathering of healthcare professionals, students, and organizations dedicated to healthcare missions. This annual three-day conference features breakout sessions, plenary speakers, exhibitors, and special events. It’s the premier event to learn, connect, and build relationships that help advance the Kingdom through medical missions. Five 1st Pres members will be attending this year. If you would like to attend, please contact Margaret Zylstra

Looking Ahead: Future Medical Mission Trips

Kenya 2026

The committee has received and approved a request for a short-term medical team to serve in Nairobi, Kenya with Imbumi and Martha Makuku. The focus of this team will be to provide medical care to members of the Kibera Reformed Presbyterian Church, to students of Mamlaka Christian School, as well as others living in the Kibera community. The team will need physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacy personnel, nurses, dentists, as well as non-medical individuals. Physicians and nurses will conduct general health exams and screenings, and non-medical volunteers will assist with logistics and patient flow. The target date for this trip will be sometime in September 2026. If you think you may be interested in serving, please contact Margaret Zylstra at or World Missions Office at 423-267-1206 ext 113. Early responses are appreciated to facilitate planning.

Medical Missions Newsletter September 2025