HCFUSA Healthcare Pulse July 2020

JULY 2020

The Healthcare Pulse The healthcare system makes a big impact on helping the community. But to be more effective in what it is designed to do, healthcare also needs help from its creator—God. It needs to beat in synchrony with our God who abounds with compassion and love. Once it does, our healthcare system can lead its community toward the ultimate health that we long for. God desires that all of us be in perfect harmony in body, soul, and spirit, and with Him. Just as our Lord Jesus Christ stated in John 17:21, we, (in the healthcare profession) “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I in you”. And may our pulses beat from God and for God. The Healthcare Pulse seeks to inspire our healing industry to be a healing ministry!

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 1

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

EDITOR’S CORNER

TABLE OF CONTENTS •

BOARD MEMBERS’ BIOS . . . . . . . . 3

•

GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS HIS

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

WONDERS TO PERFORM

Grace and Peace abound to all of you reading this newsletter.

by Erasmia Grim . . . . . . . . 4 •

KEEP ME SAFE AND BRING ME BACK HOME

This is our first newsletter since my induction, as National Coordinator of HCFUSA and we hope that you will tune in to receive HCFUSA’s news, conferences and updates.

We plan to publish three newsletters per year, July, November and March.

by Eithne Keegan . . . . . . . . 5 •

TO KNOW AND LOVE THE GYPSY: GOD’S COMMAND by Melodee Battenschlag . . . . . . . . 6

•

On June 6th, 2020 we presented our first all Zoom conference, “Hope For A Hurting World: Seeking refuge from the pandemic” to frontline healthcare workers nationally and internationally. Our goal was to reach frontline healthcare workers, infected or affected by the pandemic and give them the tools necessary to deal with problems such as unpredictable stress, fear, grief, compassionate communication, wellness, scripture meditation and how to be salt and light in the workplace from a Christian perspective.

GOD IS FAITHFUL

by Dr. Kenneth Ragoonath . . . . . . . 8

•

UPDATES ON ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH

by Dr. Dung Trinh . . . . . . . 9

•

WHAT HCF HAS MEANT TO ME

We went in with the knowledge that there could be glitches, such as broadband issues, difficulty in accessing the links and a myriad of problems, trials and tribulations, as we embarked in a world fraught by the fear of Covid-19 and the increasing pandemonium due to the rioting in the US and political hatred, that we have not seen during my time here on earth.

by Carol Krejci . . . . . . . . 10 •

SEE AND BELIEVE OR BELIEVE TO SEE

by Dr. Ade Adebanjo . . . . . . . . 11

•

FOR THOSE IN A MINISTRY OF HEALING

“Again, I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”. (Matthew 18:19-20, NKJV)

by Dr. Harold Sala . . . . . . . . 12 •

OUR HCF BLESSING

by Dece and Cristy Leonares . . . . . . . . 13

•

The conference had its glitches, trials and tribulations behind the scenes, but God honored our obedience and the conference was an outstanding success. The reason I believe, is because we had a team of Godly speakers and a planning group that worked so well together that we felt truly blessed to be part of God’s united force, despite what was happening around us. We felt the prayers of our HCFI family and friends around the world, who diligently worked to intercede for this conference’s success.

HEALING ON THE FRONTLINE: AGAPE NURSING MODEL by Nancy Eckerd RN, MS and Becky Le, RN, PhD . . . . . . . . 14

•

WHAT IS HCF ? . . . . . . . . 17

Thank you all for your support and prayers.

Blessings, Eithne Keegan RN, MSN

2

HEALTHCARE CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, USA BOARD MEMBERS’ BIOS his life.

Eithne Keegan RN, MSN was born and raised in Ireland in a small village.

She emigrated to the US Dec 31st 1977.

She started her nurse training in Dublin, Ireland, and continued her nursing career in Orange County California, where she raised her daughter Nora. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and was baptized on her first mission trip to Kiev,

He has served on the board of directors of both for profit and non profit organizations, over the past several years including Bristol Park Medical Group, Memorial Care Medical Group, Alzheimer’s Orange County, and others including HCF USA. He founded TongueOut, a non profit organization that provides free health care to “the least of these” around the world including the people of Vietnam, Haiti, Peru, and Mexico. His activism stems from his deep faith in God and from an authentic appreciation of his parents’ sacrifices for their four children. Dr. Trinh’s father was raised in an orphanage himself, and Dr. Trinh’s mother has dedicated her life to spiritual practice and service as a Buddhist nun.

Ukraine May 2002.

Eithne is an RN, MSN, and an International missionary, teacher, speaker and short story writer. She works as an Administrative Nursing Supervisor in a hospital in California.

She helped start a school of Nursing in Northern Kenya and has led numerous mission trips around the globe as well as assisted in writing the best practices of medical missions. She is now the National Coordinator of Healthcare Christian Fellowship USA.

missionaries.

Melodee Battenschlag RN, BSN was raised in a Christian home and accepted Jesus as Savior as a child.

She served in ministry as a Children’s Teacher, Women’s Ministry leader, Events Director, Life Group leader, Bible Study leader, Hospitality Committee leader, Medical Ministry, Missions leader, Prayer Group leader, and Hostess of events and

at Trinity Health.

Jhundell Apas RN, BSN is a Filipino Registered Nurse since 1999 and became a US Registered Nurse in 2018. He practiced his career in the clinical and industrial settings in the Philippines and in Saudi Arabia.

Jhundell also enjoys creating arts and media that brings him meaning and purpose. He moved to Minot, North Dakota with his wife, Geri, this year and he is working as pacemaker nurse

His parents dedicated him as their first born to the Lord.

Twenty-two years later, he surrendered his life to Jesus as his Lord and Savior as he came to learn the Good News in a Biblebased church in Manila. The Lord equipped him through HCF International’s discipleship courses to be a fulltime missionary nurse of Philippine HCF from 2013 to 2019. He currently partakes in serving God in the health field through HCF USA as multimedia officer. He continues to learn to integrate his faith into his career and relationships.

Melodee spent most of her career as an RN in the field of Case Management. She was self-employed as an independent Case Manager for over 35 years. She has been on numerous mission trips in countries around the world. Melodee has assisted HCF at conferences and global prayer retreats and assisted in the Saline Process training. She is currently on the HCF board, serving as CFO.

Aubrey Beauchamp (Retired President HCF USA) started a Bible study at San Clemente Hospital in 1972 which developed into HCF USA. She was born and survived the horrors of World War II in the Netherlands.

She migrated to Indonesia for high school and furthered her career as a bush nurse in Sydney, Australia. She immigrated to the USA in 1960. She is a prolific writer, speaker, conference organizer, and Bible study developer/ teacher. She authored the New Heart magazine which is now retired. Among one of her achievements was the Compassionate Care seminar for healthcare workers which is still in use today. She mentored many people including the current head of HCF USA. Although retired she leads a group called the Happy Hymn Singers.

Dung Trinh, M.D. arrived to the United States as a Vietnam War refugee at the age of 5. He was raised a Buddhist with family members who are Buddhist monks and nuns. His childhood education was at a Buddhist pagoda in Vietnam. Having never heard of our God before, his first introduction to Christianity was when his family was allowed to enter the United States due to being “sponsored” into the country by a Christian church in Orange County. Through a series of “God circumstances” during his high school years, Dr Trinh became a follower of Jesus, which he believes was the most important decision of

3

GOD MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS HIS WONDERS TO PERFORM

by Erasmia Grim

“Y

ou will see greater things than these” (John 1:51) was among the promises given to Francis Grim, just before he was promoted to Glory in 2005.

From 1936 when God first birthed the vision of Healthcare Christian Fellowship in his heart, he had seen the work grow from a tiny seed to a capacious tree with branches spreading across the world to the north and south, east and west. The launching of HCFUSA was one of his greatest joys when skilled caregivers were called to minister to the total person - body, soul and spirit. I had the honour of attending their first On-Line HCF Global Conference on June 6th 2020, could personally witness the splendid display of God-given talent and imbibe the wholesome teaching given by dedicated men and women.

Refreshed by this shower of blessings, I involuntarily thought of the Word given to Francis so many years ago, and praise filled my heart for the faithfulness of our promise-keeping God.

shaken and many unbelievers suddenly realized that their only hope was the intervention of God. Suddenly the focus was changed from the secular stage of sport and entertainment to the somber scene of hospitals, healthcare institutions, and suffering humanity…

Almost as a flash from Heaven, Frontline Workers and patients moved to a centrestage position and as Eithne Keegan, valued Coordinator of HCF USA, remarked: “Who would have ever thought that the world would come to its knees in 2020 to intercede for millions of sick people and their Caregivers?” God moves in mysterious ways and we are awed in silence…

May He continue to call men and women through the gateway of suffering to Himself, our Rock and our Redeemer.

The three pillars on which the Fellowship has been built - Prayer, Evangelism and Discipleship - have stood firm amid the shifting sands of time. Recently a new vision was birthed in the HCFI Global Prayer Network summoning ‘One Million Intercessors in the Next Decade’ primarily to pray for health fields worldwide. Subsequent to this came the clarion call: “Each One take Two” pinpointing healthcare workers as the target of intercession.

—–— Erasmia Grim is the beautiful surviving wife of the HCFI founder, Francis Grim. She reaches out to us from her home in Kempton Park, South Africa where she continues the ministry of HCFI, that her husband started in 1936.

She updates us through the “Trumpet Call” which is a quarterly prayer journal to the HCFI leaders around the globe.

As the vision burned on in the hearts of the Team, the figure of a Goliath arose. How would they effectively reach all the Prayer Networks of the world to ask for a platform for prayer for healthcare workers? Suddenly in early 2020 the pandemic of Covid 19 swept across nations as a powerful cyclone, causing the death of thousands, threatening governments and citizens, enforcing lockdowns, disrupting economies and wreaking havoc in its wake. Hearts were being

Erasmia has honored us by writing an article for our first HCF USA newsletter.

Photo source: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/lionstrail/trail.html

Erasmia can be contacted through hoschris@iafrica.com .

October 2019 Global Prayer Conference in South Africa

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KEEP ME SAFE AND BRING ME BACK HOME

by Eithne Keegan

These were the words that Renee Bondi sang:

You shall cross the barren desert, but you shall not die of thirst.

You shall wander far in safety, though you do not know the way.

You shall speak your words to foreign men, and all will understand. you shall see the face of God and live, Be not afraid, I go before you always. come follow me and I will give you rest.

If you pass through Raging Waters, in The Sea you shall not drown, if you walk amidst the burning flames, you shall not be harmed.

If you stand before the powers of hell, and death is on your side, know that I am with you through it all.

Blessed are your poor for the kingdom shall be yours, Blessed are you that weep and mourn, for one day you should laugh.

And if wicked men insult and hate you, all because of Me. Blessed. Blessed are you.

I

n 2004, I was privileged to be part of a team of missionaries from several churches to go on a mission trip to South Africa to teach a program on Better Choices, an HIV AIDS program, in the schools in Durban and Richards Bay, South Africa, for Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU).

As we were preparing the team and getting to know each other, Anne, a teacher, talked with me about her fears of going to Africa.

“I'm a germaphobe” , she confessed. “I'm scared to death of picking up germs.” I really want to go and serve the Lord, but I'm not sure it's God's will for me to go?

“I'm a germaphobe” , she confessed.

“I'm scared to death of picking up germs.”

She said she was earnestly praying and asking God if she should go or stay. She specifically wanted to hear from God that he would keep her safe and bring her back home if she were to make the journey. It was her heart's desire to go on this mission trip and she felt if she could do that, she would have fulfilled her destiny.

The next day, Anne was better, and we had a powerful mission time, where many children gave their lives to Christ.

After we came home. We had our debrief session, then went our separate ways. We were to meet again the following week.

I would like to leave a legacy behind for my family so they would not be afraid to go and serve the Lord in foreign lands. She asked if I would join her in prayer for this cause. I agreed.

About five days later, I called Anne and she said, “I have such peace in my spirit”, I was really happy for her.

The following day, the leader of our group called me with the unexpected news that Anne had passed away in her sleep the night I had spoken to her.

At our next meeting, I asked her if she had heard from God and she said, “yes, I believe I am to go”. When we arrived in South Africa, I was assigned as Anne’s roommate.

It was a shock to all of us, but her Legacy lives on, and we knew that God brought her safely home in more than one way that night.

One evening, we were preparing to go out into the village to show the “Jesus film” , when Anne said, “I'm feeling very weak and would rather not go with you tonight. By the way, did you bring any CDs I could listen to? I have forgotten mine.”

Her nephew, not a believer at the time, was so touched by what his aunt shared with him about the trip, that he later went and served in the mission fields in Africa!

I had taken some sermon tapes from my pastor, also a music CD that someone gave me, but I wasn't familiar with the artist. Anne asked to see it. The singer was Renee Bondi, a quadriplegic. One of the songs was called, “Be not Afraid”.

Anne left her legacy for all to understand God's love and faithfulness.

He speaks his word in many ways but the underlying principle is: if God calls you to a mission trip and it is his will for you to go, he will bring it to fruition.

Photo source: https://www.woestenhoeve.nl/

Anne was amazed, as this was the CD she played at home when she felt God was affirming her that it was okay for her to go on this mission trip, and that he would bring her safely home! The lyrics of the song spoke to Anne in a way no other song could have spoken. She knew that God had given the song to her and now reaffirmed it by sending it with me. I had never heard the artist, but Anne said she was one of her favorites. Was that a coincidence, or was God telling her she was meant to be there in South Africa?

Eithne can be contacted through hcfusa53@gmail.com .

5

TO KNOW AND LOVE THE GYPSY: GOD’S COMMAND

by Melodee Battenschlag

I

had been going on mission trips abroad for many years. It was usually clear where God wanted me to go in advance, so we could meet together as a team and become well prepared for the mission. Also, I am a planner and I much prefer for God to give me the mission assignments early on so I am able to plan other events for the rest of the year. This particular year, God made me wait. Doors kept shutting, but I knew God wanted me to go on a mission trip that year. Then in an unexpected discussion, the Missions Director suggested I go to France to work with the Gypsies. I had never considered this mission trip, not because I would be serving Gypsies, but because the location was France.

I viewed France as more of a vacation destination, not a mission trip. Yet, I did know some of the team members who had been on this trip and they were mission-minded. I had recently spent time with this mission leader and found her to be genuine and inspiring.

He said he had two passports, one stating that he was a Gypsy.

Michel had come to salvation, was discipled and even learned to speak English by listening to my pastor’s sermons on his cell phone. He came to the U.S. to meet my pastor and thank him for his obedience in sharing the gospel message. This began the connection for mission teams to go to France to minister to Gypsies.

As I began to share my plans to go to France to bring God’s love to the Gypsies, I was most surprised by the negative response of those who had supported me on past mission trips.

They responded as though these “criminals” did not deserve our assistance. Many were Christians and advised me to secure my belongings if I was not going to reconsider my plans. This was my least funded of all mission trips. My family members also did not want me to go on this mission trip because France had recently and repeatedly been attacked by terrorists. I assured them that my research revealed that the terrorists wanted to oppress French citizens. Elimination of Gypsies would probably please many of the citizens and make them grateful. I would be safe in the company of Gypsies who were not the target of terrorism.

I checked out the dates for the France Gypsy Mission trip and they worked perfectly with my schedule. I completed the application online. When I hit send, I had such peace. I then knew it was this mission trip God had wanted all along. My peace escalated rapidly to excitement as I began attending team meetings, researching Gypsies and preparing for the tasks of the mission.

“So what is a Gypsy?” I asked our host Gypsy family before I even considered going to stay with them in their community. Michel responded, “It is a people without a land.”

Hatred and oppression of the Roma Gypsies is not new. The Romani people, an ethnic group, were part of the lower caste of India during the 11th and 12th centuries. The Catholic Church denounced these dark skinned people with many gods and wouldn’t allow them to settle anywhere. They migrated to Europe in the 14th century where they were enslaved, persecuted, sterilized and systemically exterminated.

Gypsy hunts were a common sport in Germany where huntsman would return displaying their trophies of severed heads. During the holocaust, the Romani people were considered racially inferior and were targeted by Nazis for total destruction. Over 220,000 were murdered or died of starvation or disease. After the war, Roma Gypsies were forced to continue moving in order to avoid violence and harassment.

They are now scattered throughout the world, with most in Europe (8-10 million) and some in the U.S. Gypsies continue to be persecuted through employment, housing and education discrimination, police brutality, sex trafficking, and violence. In Europe, anti-Gypsy feelings are deep-seated, so government does very little to help. There are “No Gypsies” signs in storefront windows.

Although hate crime laws exist in most European countries, they are rarely enforced if the victim is a Gypsy. Some people think criminality is in the blood of the Gypsy or that they are “descendants of Cain.” The public thinks it is good and right that there are still pubs and clubs that do not let Gypsies in.

In some places, the laws applying to free movement within the European Union don’t quite apply to Gypsies in the same way

Campus Crusade for Christ (CRU) mission trip in South Africa

6

Continued from “To Know and Love...”

they apply to other people.

There remains the Gypsy stereotype of the thief, seductress, liar, fortuneteller, and mentally unstable. The word gyp, derived from Gypsy, means to cheat or to swindle someone. Michel confirmed that the criminal element of pickpocketing and theft continues to exist among Gypsies. He even told me how to avoid them in public places like the Eiffel Tower. For some Gypsies, they view criminal acts as justified due to their discrimination and need to survive. Gypsies are easily identifiable with their dark skin and light brown, slate blue or green eyes. Being with the Gypsies in a store while on my mission trip led to me being watched closely for shoplifting.

After centuries of persecution, the Roma Gypsies still do not assimilate. In their tradition of survival, they have become a close community that travels together and helps each other. I learned that their name inside the camp is different than the name they give outside the camp. They will only marry other Gypsies, even blood relatives, due to their lack of trust for outsiders. They often marry as young as age 14. Families are very important in the Gypsy culture.

Photo source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ab/8b/b3/ab8bb30d2a11cc062967b78af5fee533.jpg

mission trip, I tried to learn some basic conversation French.

Since our ministry was mostly with children, I quickly realized that it was better not to speak than to try to explain to a child that I only knew a few words and phrases in their language.

Hand motions and interpreters were much more effective.

The Roma Gypsies are often forced to continue moving to avoid harassment and violence. Some become settled side by side in segregated neighborhoods in ghetto ramshackle lodging.

Still most continue as “carefree wanderers.” Traveling as families, previously by covered wagons and now often by RV caravan to roadside encampments.

Most Gypsies have very limited education due to isolation, frequent travel, early marriage and discrimination.

Due to bullying by teachers and students, many parents must choose between safety and education. Gypsies have the lowest level of education of all ethnic groups.

For the first time, I did not know the location where I would be lodging for my mission trip until I arrived. Michel took us to a campground where we would stay in tents with approximately 300 trailers/ RV’s in his Gypsy community. He had paid the fees for us to camp there. We would stay until we were forced to leave by police or aggressive people in the community.

As with any mission trip, we knew we needed to be flexible.

Our ministry on this mission trip was focused on the children. We taught them English, math and all about Jesus.

They made crowns to wear on their heads and explain to their parents that they became sons and daughters of the King when they accepted Jesus as their Savior. We went on nature walks to teach the children about God’s creation. They participated in a luau with Hawaiian worship music on the ukulele, complete with hula skirts and leis from the dollar store in America. It was a fun day. Crafts that further explained the gospel message were taken home for parents to understand and appreciate.

Similar to other mission trips, this was not a vacation even though we were in France. Each team member brought a tent, sleeping bag, air mattress, and supplies for 12 days in our suitcase that could not weigh more than 50 lbs. Since there was no electricity, we set up our tents in the dark with flashlights.

The first night it rained and was unusually cold in my lightweight sleeping bag. Michel purchased blankets that were appreciated for the cold nights that remained.

Our message of love and hope sent through the children was so well received that some of the parents thought we were American Gypsies. Our connection to Michel helped the Gypsy parents trust us with their children. Michel explained that generally Gypsies of one country discriminate against Gypsies of another country, even though they all suffer rejection. He said that when he reached out to the Gypsies in Spain, the French Gypsy church would not allow him to take communion. Due to the evil of their persecution, even by Christians, he said ‘his church believes only Gypsies are going to heaven’. Perhaps their reaction to Michel’s love of the Spanish Gypsies would mean that they believe it is only the French Gypsies that will be admitted to heaven. Michel has asked prayer for unity among Gypsies and that they would love others as God commanded.

In addition to tent lodging, there were no bathrooms.

We used a plastic bag in a bucket for a toilet with chemical toilet kits we emptied daily. We were told to bring a shampoo and conditioner combination since we would be washing our hair with a 2-liter bottle of water. During the later half of our mission trip, we found a community bathroom with a shower a few blocks away. Such a blessing!

Although most of the Gypsies had toilets and showers in their small RV homes, we would not impose on them as a team. Many even pulled a small trailer with a washer and dryer.

The Gypsies were extremely clean in their homes and appearance. Michel’s wife cooked for us on the outdoor camping stove. Meals were typical French with cheese, bread and pastry.

The best meal of the mission trip was the most amazing potluck of my lifetime where 100’s of Gypsies gathered in the grassy area of the campground with giant trays of wonderful food to share. Michel said this great potluck and time of fellowship occurred weekly among these Gypsies.

The Roma Gypsy often embraces the religion of their host country. During my mission trip, we were able to attend the tent meeting for the Light and Life Church, the only church in this Gypsy community. Women sat on one side of the church and had to cover their hair with a scarf. Men with great talent sang worship songs that were familiar, but the music and sermon were in French with no interpretation.

Due to limited education, discrimination, and frequent

Roma Gypsies have their own language, but also take on the language of their host country. In preparation for this

Turn to page 17

7

GOD IS FAITHFUL

by Kenneth Ragoonath

clerk in the Matron's office.

K

enneth Ragoonath was born of Hindu parentage and raised with its culture and customs. He grew up with the basic fear of God, believing that his good works will always have to outweigh his bad ones in order to have the favor of God. His father died when he was 12.5 years old, and he became a wayward teen. This was an increasing problem to his mother and somehow, he knew that he was losing her favor something that he could not afford.

After gaining permission from the Nursing Director, the Bible study was started in November of 1965. In 1967, they had a visit from a Mr. Francis Grim, founder of Hospital Christian Fellowship International, now Healthcare Christian Fellowship International (HCFI). Inspired by Mr. Grim, the group became active members of the ministry.

From 1972, Kenneth went into fulltime ministry with HCFI and travelled the world (92 countries). In the interest of the ministry, Godfrey Oneale, Dr. Gerald Landry and himself, pioneered the ministry across the globe. HCFI was now established in scores of countries with several of them being trained to lead its groups.

What if some did not have faith? That was Kenneth.

Will your lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? That was God. He is faithful; when we do not have faith.

His father had left a copy of the Holy Bible that he had bought from a Jehovah's Witness in the home library. In order to appease his father, he attempted to read this book.

He was told, in esteem to the Bible, was the Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan. So he settled for second best, since it was in his father's library. This book spoke to him. He saw himself in the book as the man with the heavy load of sin of which he desired to leave at the cross, so he could be freed too.

Two weeks later, his friends invited him to a small Pentecostal church mid-week service, because, they were attracted by the young ladies attending. That night he heard the Gospel and gave his life over to the Lord. Sadly, those friends of his remain Hindus. Dr. Kenneth is a first-generation Christian in the family born among those of the fourth generation of indentured laborers who came to Trinidad from India. However, his mother, all five brothers and their families, and one sister and her family, have all accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior over a twenty-year period.

Following his conversion, he was discipled in a small Pentecostal Church in the countryside. As a teenager and a young believer of seventeen, many things rubbed off on him through the godly influence of this pastor. It was through his encouragement, he decided to attend the Open Bible Institute of Theology for three years in order to help him cope better.

Dr. Kenneth applied for a scholarship from Tear Fund, for his postgraduate studies and was denied. His thoughts were to wait for a year and make another application. However, his wife, Faith, objected to his suggestion and felt that they should trust the Lord for the funds.

A few days later, God caught his attention while reading in Romans 3:3-4 (NIV) “ What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar.“ He took the Lord at His word and went to Jamaica to do his MA (Master of Arts) and the Lord sent in all the money to cover his bills and more.

He felt God calling him to work at the San Fernando General Hospital. One of his colleagues at the hospital asked him one day, "why don't you start a Bible class in the hospital, there are so many devils here." Within a few weeks he started the Bible class with the assistance of a student pharmacist and an office

8

Photo source: https://culturemixarts.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Trinidad-and-Tobago-MAP-2.jpg

———— Dr. Kenneth is a board member of HCFI. You can email Dr. Kenneth at kennethragoonath@gmail.com .

UPDATES ON ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH Dr. Dung Trinh

n neuroscience research, a new direction in I Alzheimer’s clinical trials is to detect the disease early enough to possibly prevent it from progressing.

Now, more and more research companies, including Irvine Clinical Research (ICR), are shifting their focus to trying to find and identify Alzheimer’s while symptoms are still mild or even before symptoms begin to appear.

participants have shown a reduction in amyloid plaque in their brain based on PET scan data, and have also shown improvement in memory testing compared to a placebo group. These are incredibly positive signs, and I think we are headed in the right direction.

During the last seventeen years in Alzheimer’s research, over 150 studies have been conducted without any success to find a treatment or a cure for the disease.

In fact, since 2003, no new medication for Alzheimer’s treatment has been approved by the FDA. A handful of the existing medications can only treat the symptoms, but cannot prevent, slow down or cure the disease. With no successful therapy, Alzheimer’s has become the third leading cause of death in Orange County.

We have been successful in treating conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and stroke, but have made little strides in medications or treatments for Alzheimer’s.

However, the last few decades of research have not been in vain. The past clinical trials, though not fruitful in producing a treatment, have taught us that we need to start our research at the early stages of the disease to try to detect the symptoms early or before they occur. By the time people go to the doctor with symptoms of memory loss from Alzheimer’s, approximately 10-15 years of silent brain damage has already occurred. Many patients enter clinical trials already in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s.

This delay in detection is possibly the reason behind many unsuccessful clinical trials.

The new paradigm shift in Alzheimer’s research is to stop the disease by reaching people in the earlier stages of memory loss, diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s or MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment). Prevention trials exist for patients who have not been diagnosed yet. This is the direction that our team at ICR and I are working on.

Photo source: © 2014 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

———For more information, visit www.healthybrainclub.com.

To find resources on Alzheimer’s in Orange County, visit www.alzoc.org .

Dr. Trinh is Chief Medical Officer at Irvine Clinical Research.

He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Alzheimer’s Orange County. He can be reached at dung.trinh@alzoc.org .

In one study recently published, Monoclonal Antibodies (MCA) were used to direct the immune system to recognize and detect brain amyloid as “the bad guy”.

After three years of medication treatment in this trial,

9

WHAT HCF HAS MEANT TO ME

by Carol Krejci

media were available to take home, and all combined to provide me with what I needed to serve the Lord right where I was, be it in the ER, home health or a doctor’s office.

F

HCF means this to me:

or 38 years, HCF has meant family to me… connectivity and availability are hallmarks of HCF, and as a fairly new Christian, I had many questions. Because of prior circumstances, even as a new believer, I was often in a state of bewilderment and felt spiritually alone.

It means education and enabling, spiritual food and drink for the weary health care worker, beautiful music to satisfy my soul, reading material for my mind, scholarships when I had no funds.

Yes—HCF truly means fellowship and proves that we are all part of the family of God.

I was always just a phone call away from the past president, Aubrey, and HCF USA’s time, wisdom and love.

When my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer, I was overwhelmed with grief. It was in the ER, where I worked, that one quiet evening a doctor shared Jesus with me and my life was never the same.

Enter another doctor who had been in Tulsa and stopped in at the first National HCF USA Conference there. He liked what he saw and brought a New Heart magazine and a very informative handbook written by Aubrey of HCF USA on how to start an HCF chapter.

Later, as I read more about the purpose of HCF, I was ecstatic! THAT is exactly how I was led to the Lord—by a doctor in the workplace!

We followed the manual and in no time, we started our own chapter in Lancaster, Ohio.

The following year, I traveled to San Diego with two other nurses for the second national conference.

Photo Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/mmYti1WcFUBdBqq79

My spirit was filled to overflowing by the many uplifting testimonies of God’s loving care. Music and prayer were interspersed with sessions taught by spiritual leaders.

I met wonderful believing medical workers from all areas of care: surgeons, interns, lab techs, CNAs, housekeepers. The list goes on…

———-

Carol is a published writer of books and short stories.

You can email Carol at cakrejci2001@yahoo.com .

And so did the years: HCF USA grew, traveled across America, even to my own hospital!

Seminars, retreats, conferences and a variety of

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SEE AND BELIEVE OR BELIEVE TO SEE Dr. Ade Adebanjo

Mark 15:29-32 (NKJV) 29

And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”

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Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

I

n difficult crisis situations like the ones we are going through right now, people often question why God is allowing such things to happen. They may even resort to mocking the Lord Jesus, taunting Him and demanding proof of the reality of His divinity. Here, they wanted to see Jesus come down from the cross and save himself and so believe Him. The reality is that in every situation, God is working out His purpose, whether we understand it or not. Often, what people are demanding to see of the Lord at those times will usually be contrary to what God is doing.

This is because people generally walk by sight — they want to see and believe – but we cannot be like this as believers in Christ Jesus. Besides drawing the displeasure of the Lord (Hebrews 11:6), people that wait to “see to believe” often run the risk of not believing even after they do see. If you dance to their tune to show them or to prove to them, they will still not believe (Matthew 11:16-17). This is because real faith is not in seeing to believe.

If we must truly appreciate what God is doing, we must BELIEVE TO SEE. This is the faith that gives us access to the grace to endure to the end and allow God’s work to finish.

What He is doing is exceedingly abundantly above what we can ever ask, think or imagine, just like with the death of Jesus on the cross.

St. Thomas had to see to believe.

Photo source: https://www.findshepherd.com/jesus-said-to-disciples.html

———

As we continue to pray and seek the Lord through this challenging season, let us not grow weary and demand that the Lord prove Himself to us and the world so they can see and believe that He is real. Let us, like the Psalmist, “…believe to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living” (Psalms 27:13). God is at work and all this shall yet work together for good and turn out for the salvation of many.

In the meantime, He will protect us and ensure that what the enemy is doing will not harm us. Even if it seems like you have lost, resurrection is here. You will arise. God has the final say.

The end will be glorious in Jesus Name. Amen.

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You can email Dr. Ade at ambassadeinternational15@gmail.com

FOR THOSE IN A MINISTRY OF HEALING

By Harold J. Sala, Ph.D. God’s supernatural intervention. What he related became the introduction to my book, What You Need to Know About Healing.

CHALLENGES WE WHO SERVE OTHERS FACE “Please try to explain why God heals some and chooses to take others home.” The simple answer is that what God has not revealed, we cannot always explain. I began my adult ministry serving as an Associate Pastor in one of America’s ten largest churches, and part of my responsibilities included hospital visitation. Never shall I forget visiting a retired veteran who was in a Government Hospital in serious condition. He turned to me, (then in my middle ‘20s) and asked, “Why? Why does God allow me to lie here and suffer? Why doesn’t He just let me die?”

I

f you should Google “The first doctor in the ancient world,” you would get a reference to Hippocrates (460-370 BCE) who lived on the island of Kos, a stone’s throw from Pergamum, on Turkey’s Aegean Coast.

Should you visit the Middle-East, almost everywhere you travel you will find that someone once lived there who strived to alleviate human suffering by medicine. Go to Turkey and you will find that numerous ancient physicians practiced medicine there. Go to Greece and you will find the same thing.

You will also find that hospitals, as we think of them, were also prevalent where medical practitioners attempted to alleviate human suffering. Wherever you go in the ancient world you will find that there was a correlation between the attempt to alleviate human suffering with some relationship to a belief in an ancient deity.

More than a few times I’ve had to respond to the question, Why? “Why can’t I conceive a baby when other girls are aborting theirs?” Why does God allow suffering?

No one can better answer that question than Joni Eareckson Tada. The simple answer to the question of responding to some queries is “I cannot explain what God has not revealed.” In his book Why us?” Warren Wiersbe tells of visiting a woman who was suffering and said, “I want you to know we’re praying for you!” and she responded asking him to pray for one more thing. “What is that?” he asked, “Pray that I will not waste the suffering. For God’s children, He walks with us through the hard times and days. He will never leave or forsake His own!

About 1000 years before Jesus was born at Bethlehem, David, a shepherd lad who became king, wrote, “Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:3).

Jesus called 12 men to be His disciples and He began His ministry, healing the sick, doing what none other had done in all history. He ultimately sent out his twelve disciples instructing them to do the same thing. Matthew, summarized Jesus’ ministry saying, “And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35). He healed sickness and restored health.

You don’t have to have all the answers! But if those to whom you minister realize you genuinely care and that take your ministry of healing seriously, you will make a big difference. The grace of God is like a multi-faceted diamond.

The Apostle Paul had all kinds of difficulties, yet he was convinced that God’s grace is sufficient. A smile, a gentle word of encouragement, a positive touch bring healing that medicine can’t accomplish. With God’s grace abounding, “We do not lose heart!”

Physical healing became a “hallmark” of the Gospel Jesus proclaimed, and the same mission was given to the church when He went back to heaven. In the letter that bears his name James, the half-brother of Jesus, instructs the sick to call for the elders of the church who were to anoint them with oil, pray for them, and be healed. Paul advised the early church that God granted a “gift of healing” that should operate in the body of Christ.

FALL BACK ON THE WORD Keep your relationship with the Lord vibrant and meaningful. My favorite hymn is an old one I first heard in Britain, the words of one verse which are, “My soul has found a resting place, not in device or creed, I trust the ever living one.

His wounds for me shall plead. I need no other argument. I need no other plea. It is enough that Jesus died and that He died for me.”

When I wrote my book What Your Need to Know about Healing, I made contact with Dr. Dennis Cope, a

personal friend, who at that time was the head of the U.C.L.A. teaching hospitals. I posed a question asking if in his many years as a physician, he had ever encountered a situation where there was no explanation for a recovery apart from

You can email Harold at harold@guidelines.org

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OUR HCF BLESSING

by Dece and Cristy Leonares

S

halom! It has been a blessing for us to be part of Healthcare Christian Fellowship (HCF) family whose mission is to share the Good News of the Kingdom in the healthcare field and with healthcare providers, practitioners and general healthcare community.

Our introduction to HCF was (to our mind) accidental (but then, we believe that in God’s realm – providential) when we sat beside Dr. Grace Ramirez who was the President (and Matriarch) of HCF Philippines in a dinner event. We were then missionaries in the Philippines working to bring the Good News of the Kingdom in rural areas especially among the young people. We were doing projects dealing with environmental justice and organizing in issues related to conservation and community health. The friendship which started at the dining table blossomed to many beautiful lifetime relationships. We felt an affinity and became an integral part of the HCF Philippines becoming lifetime members. We consider ourselves life-long friends of the HCF global family.

While in the Philippines, we participated in various HCF activities every time we could. We joined with the leaders and staff during devotional and prayer time. We shared meals with them. We learned much and received profound encouragement from our brothers and sisters in full time HCF missionary service as they shared of their calling, burden, service, sacrifices, challenges and victories. We attended (and at times assisted) in various trainings and seminars that run year round. We studied principles and skills from these trainings that were very applicable to life and ministry. We participated in Christian medical missions to indigenous people group in a far flung areas in Luzon had a profound experience in expressing God’s love to others we were addressing problems regarding diseases and physical pains. We enlisted in a trip to northern Luzon where we visited various places where HCF Philippines members work and do ministry. We observed many long-term (three-month) trainings and made friends with participants who come from various countries in Asia. We assisted during one global HCF event held in Manila and saw the diversity of HCF work and ministry in various places of the world. We were humbled to meet with godly leaders of the organization. We have a profound appreciation of the vision, passion and dedication of HCF people we met.

Today, we are back ministering and serving in the US

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since 2015. Currently, we are organizing and mobilizing in the home healthcare field. There has been a growing demand for workers in this area because of the increasing numbers of retirees of the “boomer” generation.

While there are still many people who go through the hospitals and other healthcare facilities, there is a growing population that needs health care services in their homes. We believe that home healthcare workers can be God’s missionaries too. We train and equip them on how to communicate effectively the Good News of the Kingdom as they care for their wards and patients – and even interact with other family members. Also, we help in a Messianic Jewish mission movement in the Los Angeles area.

We are blessed to reconnect with HCF through HCF USA in this season. We are looking forward to connecting with and helping with the HCF ministry in our area. Our prayer is that may God’s will be done for HCFI, HCF USA and HCF national movements here on earth as it is in heaven!

HalleluYAH!

Photo source: https://www.britannica.com/place/Philippines

———-

You can reach Dece and Cristy at dileonares@yahoo.com .

HEALING ON THE FRONTLINE: AGAPE NURSING MODEL

by Nancy Eckerd RN, MS and Becky Le RN, PhD

The Agape Nursing Model

T

he nurse plays a unique and powerful role in the patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Not only is the nurse called to serve every patient in every situation, but the nurse is called to serve the nations. The nursing profession is a mission of Christ. In order to impact the patient through Christ-centered holistic care, the nurse must first surrender to the Lord. From full surrender, the nurse will utilize individual spiritual gifts, prayer, and the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Only then will the nurse reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care, changing lives for eternity.

Nurses currently serving on the frontlines of the COVID -19 battle have been described as healthcare heroes for their amazing acts of sacrifice and service during this tragic and unprecedented time. Even new nursing school graduates have found themselves in the middle of chaos, where sorrowful casualties have been experienced. Unfortunately, there has been much grief with the current pandemic, but there is also healing and hope to be found in the midst of this chaos.

COVID-19 is God’s battle and there is a way to be prepared. Understanding the Agape Nursing Model allows a framework for grasping the steps needed to fulfill your calling, and to provide your patient with the best possible holistic healthcare. Application of the Agape Nursing Model to practice, will bring grace and healing to the frontline.

According to the Gallup poll, the nurse has been considered the most trusted profession for the last eighteen years (Gallop, 2020). With honesty and trust as our benchmark, the nurse has limitless opportunities to minister to the patient.

As a matter of fact, the spirit-filled nurse is an evangelist and healthcare disciple. This is a powerful combination where not only patient outcomes are improved, but miracles and healings can and often do happen (Mauk & Hobus, 2020). Following the Agape Nursing Model below, the patient will experience the love of Christ through your actions, words and deeds: The Agape Nursing Model is based on the application of the kingdom nursing concept which is “Focused, dynamic patient-centered care, inspired by the qualities of Christ and influenced by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the

nurse" (Eckerd, 2015, p.253). Emulating the agape love of Christ serves to lift the fallen, restore the broken, heal the hurting, and love the unlovely by being the earthly hands and feet of Christ.

While other models focus on the spiritual position of the patient, the Agape Nursing Model focuses on the character of the nurse and provides a framework for fulfilling your call to serve others humbly with love (Eckerd, 2018). Further, the model provides for the quality assurance principle found in 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So…whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”

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Continued from “Healing on the Frontline...”

Called by God: God calls every believer to Himself then to ministry. “…work hard to prove that you really are among those God as called and chosen.” (2 Peter 1:10).

View your profession as an act of worship for your calling: “Have I not told you, be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

Show others the glory of God: “Let your light shine before others so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:16).

Professional Growth: Global nursing associations encourage a professional education commitment by adhering and embracing values, moral norms, and ideals. Also encouraged is knowledge, attitude, skill development, practice experiences, commitment, relational maturity, and personal integrity.

Spiritual Growth-Continue and be faithful to your spiritual journey: “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17). The process of sanctification results in devotion to Christ and Christ-likeness. “…we will speak the truth in love, growing in everyway more and more like Christ, who is head of his body, the church” (Ephesians 4:15).

Rely upon prayer, spiritual gifts & supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit.

Prayer: “Pray in the spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18).

Spiritual Gifts: Know and study your spiritual gift(s). God expects you to be alert and aware of opportunities to use it. “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards…” (1 Peter 4:10).

Holy Spirit: Seek out and anticipate His supernatural guidance. “Teach me to do your will, for You are my God. Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:10). “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God” (Romans 8:14). “And we receive from Him whatever we ask, because we obey His orders and practice what is pleasing to Him” (1 John 3:22).

Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care. “But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

All believers possess the ability to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit.

For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

Patient receives Christ-centered care and comes face-to-face with the supernatural goodness of Christ. “In the same way, let your good deeds shine for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” (Matthew 5:16).

Advocate for your patient: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4).

As the nurse focuses on the application of the Agape Nursing Model by building professionalism, faith, prayer, and use of spiritual gifts, the professional practice environment will begin to shift. The nurse displays and proclaim a sense of shalom. The natural outcome of this is a deepening trust that God is in control, and a deepened dependence on the Lord during patient care. Supernatural events will begin to take place as the nurse receives promptings of the Holy Spirit regarding patient care, and the patient receives physical, spiritual, and emotional intervention.

nurse’s practice. God delights in your reflection of the goodness of His son. He sees and is delighted by your commitment to your practice as a joyful offering to Him. “I tell you the truth, when you did this for one of the least of these, my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” (Mathew 25:40). When you serve the least of these, you are serving Him.

Through the nurse’s ministry, God is honored. He sees His foundation of Christ-like character being displayed in the

outcomes are revealed as your patient experiences the

Have you considered the divine impact the nurse can have for such a time as this? The patient, in their darkest moment, experiences the agape love of Christ. Supernatural

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Continued from “Healing on the Frontline...”

Continued from “To Know and Love...”

character of Christ. Like an intense, purifying light in the frontline darkness, God will reveal specificity of the patient to the nurse.

travel, unemployment among Gypsies is extremely high. Most Gypsies are very poor. Michel sold area carpet, some obtained

The patient benefits holistically (mind, body, spirit) through this revelation. Patients that embrace their spiritual beliefs, find

from the U.S. His son-in-law breeds and sells several types of dogs. A new litter was born while we were there in the camp.

meaning and hope in their illness (Christman & Mueller, 2017).

The patient trusts the nurse and feels respected, calm, content,

He places the dogs in the back of his van each night to protect them from being stolen.

strengthened, and unconditional acceptance. The nurse is then facilitating the patient to embrace their spiritual belief.

Gypsies are often denied adequate medical care and social services. In addition to discrimination, their access to

Challenge: Are you committed to accepting your calling as a nurse missionary and building your faith? Will you be a

healthcare is limited by their frequent travel, isolation, low education and lack of trust. Gypsies suffer greater long term

healthcare disciple to the nations? Will you commit to spiritual and professional growth? Will you utilize your spiritual gifts,

health issues and disability, less satisfactory outcome following treatment and increased occurrence of disease. Their life

prayer, and prompting of the Holy Spirit? Will you reflect the Fruit of the Spirit at the point of care? If you have experienced

expectancy is 10-15 years shorter than the overall European average.

the supernatural at the point of care, are you willing to share your testimony with others?

Following my French mission trip with the Gypsies, I have continued to maintain contact with Michel and his family.

Through my research and preparation for the mission trip, my

There will always be a frontline, only the descriptor will change. Whether it is called COVID-19, Ebola, seasonal flu, or a

time with Michel and his community, and my contact since the trip, I have learned so much and grown to love the Gypsies. As

particular life crisis, God has given you tools to sustain and thrive in this catastrophic environment. COVID-19 is no surprise to God.

often occurs with mission trips, this experience was life changing and I received more than I gave. I also had the

He told Solomon 2500 years ago, that among other catastrophes, He may send plagues (2 Chronicles 7:13). It is also no surprise

privilege of sharing about my mission trip with second graders.

They were encouraged toward missions and learned for the

that God has placed you on the frontline. God has called, prepared and planted you on the frontline, because you are His

first time how to love the Gypsy.

chosen disciple, specifically gifted in ways to serve others in His name. “And who knows, but that you have come to your royal

The scripture I used in the photo book I created following this mission trip was Luke 14:23 “Then the master

position for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).

said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled’.” I later ———-

discovered this verse is a promise the Gypsies find reassures them of their Master Jesus’ love.

For more information contact agapenursingmodel@gmail.com .

References upon request.

God loves what society rejects. We are called to love the poor and forgotten, and treat sinners and outcasts the way Jesus treated Zacchaeus (Luke 19). Jesus sees the gold in the dirt of our lives. He loves us in the way we could be if we

Photo source: Image by ahmad triyawan from Pixabay

followed Him with all of our hearts. We must see others through Jesus’ eyes and love like He loves. I hope these words inspire you to love the Gypsy and all others created in God’s image.

———-

You may reach Melodee at melodeebattenschlag@gmail.com

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WHAT IS HCF ?

T

he Healthcare Christian Fellowship (HCF) is a non-profit interdenominational organization among caregivers.

In 1936, Francis Grim, a Christian businessman in South Africa, and his brother Paul visited their elderly father daily in a local hospital. During these visits they noticed that the patient’s physical needs were well taken care of, but their spiritual needs were largely ignored.

Francis was alarmed and concerned about the lack of spiritual care. He realized that many patients pass through the

Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA

healthcare systems of our world who do not pass through our churches.

Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA (formerly Hospital Christian Fellowship) is the United States chapter of Healthcare Fellowship International. It began in 1972 at a small hospital in San Clemente, California.

Yet, when they are ill, they often want to reach out to God: A God they do not know. They need someone to teach them the Good News of Jesus’ forgiveness, care, healing, joy and salvation.

A nurse, Aubrey Beauchamp, started prayer meetings at her home. In time this small beginning became a national movement among Christian Caregivers. Aubrey has retired and Eithne Keegan has taken over the leadership of HCF USA. She can be reached at hcfusa53@gmail.com .

He began to train a small group of student nurses how to share their faith with their patients and fellow workers. This was the beginning of what has now become Healthcare Christian Fellowship International (HCFI), a world-wide movement among all branches of healthcare, active in over 100 countries around the world. Go to www.hcfglobal.org for more information.

Our mission is to encourage and strengthen caregivers in their faith, workplace, and personal life, promoting Biblical principles in healthcare. We train caregivers to meet the spiritual needs of their patients and fellow workers.

Doctrinal Basis The Doctrinal Basis of HCFI shall consist of the essential beliefs of Biblical Christianity, including:

• •

• • • • • • •

The unity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit in the Godhead.

The person of our Lord Jesus Christ as very God and very Man, born of the virgin Mary, His real and sinless humanity, His atoning death, His bodily resurrection, and His ascension into Heaven.

The Divine inspiration and supreme authority of the Holy Scripture in all matters of faith and conduct.

The guilt and depravity of human nature in consequence of the Fall.

The substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and His resurrection, as the only way of salvation from sin through repentance and faith.

The necessity for the new birth by the Holy Spirit and His indwelling in the believer for sanctification and service.

The personal return of the Lord Jesus Christ and the judgment to come for the just and for the unjust.

The resurrection of the body and eternal life.

Heaven as a place of everlasting blessedness for all who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ.

In brief, HCFI places a strong emphasis upon the Deity of Jesus Christ and His Atonement; regeneration by the Holy Spirit and His indwelling fullness in the believer for personal victory and fruitfulness; the supreme authority of the Scriptures and the importance of personal and group evangelism.

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You can also visit www.hcfusa.org for more resources and to know how to be part of what God is doing in the health fields of USA and beyond.

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Healthcare Christian Fellowship, USA P.O. Box 3439, Laguna Hills CA 92654-3439 Phone: (949) 312-7284

UPCOMING HCF Conference October 3, 2020

EVENTS

Lutheran Church of the Cross El Toro 24231 El Toro Road Laguna Woods CA 92637

Agenda and registration information coming soon!

North American Prayer Retreat 2021 March 15-19 Location to be announced Agenda and registration information coming soon!

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