Health Professionals Unite at Summit to Promote Holistic Care in Central Philippines

Striving to promote comprehensive health ministry and nurture a holistic approach to care and wellness, the Central Visayas Conference (CVC) hosted a one-day Adventist Health Professionals' Summit on April 22, 2023, in Cebu City, Philippines.

Through their participation in medical missionary work, more than 100 medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, optometrists, medical technologists, pharmacists, and health advocates employed by private entities, local government units, and Adventist institutions equipped themselves on how to share the message of hope in their respective workplaces. This training readies the delegates for the upcoming mega-evangelistic campaign in Cebu, where more volunteers will be mobilized to take part in the region-wide initiative.

Pastor Charles Nogra, president of CVC, emphasized the significance of the health message and how the summit could address the challenges of urban evangelism. He urged everyone to collaborate to achieve the mission of the church, especially in terms of health evangelism.

During the Sabbath service, Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso, director of Health Ministries for the Southern Asia-Pacific Division, emphasized to a gathering of health professionals that Adventist Health Professionals (AHP) is an organization founded by the church. Alfanoso emphasized the significance of the Savior's healing and teaching as a means of communicating divine principles to his audience. She urged the AHP community to strive to integrate the body, mind, and spirit in their own work and the service of others.

"The best way to showcase our Lord and our church is through modeling a healthy lifestyle and living a Christlike character. I would like to convey our gratitude to each of you for conducting comprehensive ministries in your workplaces. Please continue to be an ambassador of Christ through the healing ministry. Let's continue healing the sick and, at the same time, saving souls," Dr. Alfanoso said.

On Sabbath afternoon, AHP elected its new officers and designed programs for their future ministries. Despite numerous responsibilities, Dr. Rodivick Docor, the newly appointed vice president of AHP-Cebu, expressed her commitment to the Lord's work and willingness to support church members' requests for medical, dental, and optical missions to serve the community and help propagate the Gospel ministry.

Right after the meeting, Pastor Gaudencio Buque Jr., Health Ministries director for the Central Philippine Union Conference, reminded everyone of God's immeasurable love and how He demonstrated His concern for humanity. Additionally, he offered a dedicatory prayer for all AHP members, particularly the newly elected leaders.

"To my fellow health ministers, medical professionals, and even those in allied health, whoever we are, we know that God's love has made us whole so that others may be made whole. Let us continue to spread hope and wholeness through the healing power of Christ," Pastor Buque remarked.

The Adventist Health Ministries Department in Central Visayas hopes the summit inspired medical professionals to continue serving their communities with a compassionate spirit that demonstrates God's love in a world filled with suffering.

Dr. Peter Landless, Health Ministries director for the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, wrote in Elder's Digest, dated 2018, saying, "I would like to thank you for your untiring ministry to a world in need. Thank you for being His hands to touch lives and alleviate suffering. The recipients of your care and efforts are drawn into a tangible understanding of the love of Jesus through your life. As you move into [another year], with its uncharted terrain, challenges, and personal resolutions, may you be ever encouraged by God’s promises. He has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Heb. 13:5, NIV) and ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever’ (verse 8)."

Dr. Landless’ quote continues: "Let us move forward in confidence, and, empowered by His Spirit, embrace the world’s brokenness through comprehensive health ministry, sharing wholeness, serving all, and with every member engaged and involved."

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.