The 8th Annual Adventist Medical Mission (AMM) Conference, held in conjunction with the General Conference Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on Health & Lifestyle, took place from September 5-8, 2024, at the Mercure Penang Beach Hotel. With the theme “The Right Arm on the March: From Its Beginning till the Whole Earth is Lightened with His Glory,” the event gathered more than a hundred attendees from Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Singapore, and the Philippines for a transformative experience, combining spiritual revival and practical training in medical evangelism.
Speakers included Dr. Zeno Charles-Marcel, GC Health Ministries Director-Elect; Pastor Ernesto Douglas Venn, Assistant to the GC President for Adventist Possibilities Ministries; and Dr. Enoch Sundaram, Medical Director of AG Clinic and Lifestyle Centre. Dr. Katia Garcia Reinert, Associate Director of GC Health Ministries, led mission-driven devotional series each morning. The messages emphasized the vital role of health in advancing the gospel, inspiring participants to integrate faith and medical mission work as part of their calling.
With presentations from leaders like Dr. Esther Cheng Pui Kong, Consultant Anaesthesiologist at Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH), Pr. Hendru Balan, pastor from the Peninsular Malaysia Mission (PEM), and Dr. Alvin Rocero, a retired general surgeon, the event was filled with motivational moments that emphasized the call to medical mission. Dr. Cheng’s message reminded attendees that they are 'small pieces of the big jigsaw puzzle in His hand,' illustrating how God uses those who trust and serve Him wherever they are placed. This mission-focused theme resonated throughout the conference, as speakers emphasized that each individual—through faith and medical service—plays a critical role in advancing God’s great commission.
Dr. Lee Yew Hoong shared a compelling account of his journey in founding the Medical Ministry: Live in Lifestyle Centre. Having faced his own health challenges, Dr. Lee described how God worked through him to bring healing, not only to others but also to himself, demonstrating the transformative power of medical mission in advancing the gospel.
Dr. Raymond Tah and Dr. Thomas Tean, both delegates from the Penang Adventist Hospital, highlighted the remarkable 100-year journey of their institution, from its small and humble beginnings to its significant growth today. As they shared the hospital’s history, they emphasized how its mission of health and healing has played a pivotal role in advancing the Adventist Church’s outreach in Penang. The hospital’s motto, 'God heals, we help,' resonated deeply with the spirit of the event, inspiring attendees to reflect on their calling as medical missionaries. Coinciding with the upcoming celebration of the hospital’s centennial, the event served as a powerful reminder of how the church’s mission has flourished through faith-driven healthcare, touching countless lives both physically and spiritually.
Dr. Zeno Charles-Marcel captured this sentiment perfectly in his presentation: 'We help the body heal. We attend to the mind. We minister to the soul.' He further reinforced the importance of health ministry by quoting Ellen G. White from Evangelism: 'When you make the people intelligent concerning the principles of health reform you do much to prepare the way for the introduction of present truth. Said my Guide, “Educate, educate, educate.” The mind must be enlightened, for the understanding of the people is darkened. Satan can find access to the soul through perverted appetite, to debase and destroy it.' His words echoed the overarching message of the event, reminding participants of their crucial role in not only healing the body but also enlightening the mind and ministering to the soul.
Dr. Enoch Sundaram made a decisive contribution by sharing Christ’s approach to relieving suffering: 'Christ reversed the disease condition, educated about the cause of disease, and empowered the repented sinner to follow a new lifestyle.' His message emphasized the importance of addressing both physical healing and the underlying causes, while also empowering individuals to embrace a new, healthier way of life—both spiritually and physically. This holistic approach highlights the integral connection between health, education, and long-term well-being in the mission of medical ministry.
The conference, organized in collaboration with the GC Health Ministries, promoted meaningful fellowship among healthcare professionals, pastors, and church members. Together, they explored how to more effectively integrate health ministry into the church’s evangelistic mission. AMM’s commitment to empowering healthcare workers as vital agents of Christ’s healing ministry was evident throughout the event, as participants embraced their calling to serve as the 'right arm' of the gospel, advancing both physical and spiritual healing in their communities.
Jiayi Gan, MAUM Communications
The original article was published in teh Malaysia Adventist Union Mission website.