Healing Beyond Medicine Healing Beyond Medicine
Integrating Spiritual Care with Medical Care
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Matthew 11:4-5
Christian mission hospitals' founding, calling, and enduring purpose is rooted in serving the marginalized, promoting social justice, and providing compassionate care inspired by the call to proclaim the Good News. As a ministry outreach of the local indigenous church, an active spiritual ministry program helps fulfill the hospital's mission by embodying these values and principles.
Mission hospitals aim to provide holistic care that addresses not only the physical needs of patients but also their emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. An intentional, well-designed, integrated spiritual ministry program helps fulfill this goal by offering support and guidance to patients and their families during illness, suffering, and recovery.
In virtually every sub-Saharan African community, spirituality and religion play a significant role in people's lives and health practices.
A mission hospital with an active spiritual ministry program can better understand and respect these cultural nuances, thus improving communication, trust, and patient satisfaction. An active spiritual ministry program fosters community engagement by organizing outreach activities, health education programs, and events that promote spiritual and emotional well-being.
Finally, studies have shown that patients who receive spiritual care alongside medical treatment often experience improved outcomes, including reduced levels of anxiety, depression, and pain, as well as faster recovery times. A spiritual ministry program contributes to the overall healing process by addressing the spiritual and emotional dimensions of illness.
An Intentional, Best Practice Approach
Simply having good intentions to follow an undefined “Christian approach” to providing medical care will be no more effective than an untrained person trying to perform a complicated surgery on a patient. To have a long-term sustainable ministry requires a thoughtful approach to integrating the witness of the Gospel into every aspect of the full ministry of a hospital. Every hospital staff member is part of the ministry team and every encounter with a patient and/or their family is an opportunity for the them to visibly be the hands and feet of Christ.
A group of hospitals in East Africa have begun to intentionally develop new strategies and methodologies for their ministry. They are determined to learn from each other and continue to develop and refine a best practice approach
We serve a God who is excellent, and He calls us to a ministry of excellence. Christian Mission hospitals should be the outstanding healthcare providers in their community. They should be the preferred provider of every member of their community not only because of excellent medical care but also the care and support for the patients and their families.
SPIRITUAL VIBRANCY
SPIRITUAL INFLUENCE
SPIRITUAL CARE
Spiritual Ministry Model
Harmonizing Spirituality and Healthcare
Adopting a Christian approach to healthcare requires more than good intentions; it necessitates a deliberate strategy to weave the Gospel's witness into every facet of hospital ministry. Like skilled surgeons, staff must use every interaction to demonstrate Christ's compassion and care. MBF partner mission hospitals in Kenya, Malawi, DR Congo, and Haiti are pioneering innovative, collaborative strategies to enhance their services. Emulating God's excellence, they strive to become their communities' top healthcare choice, distinguished by superior medical care and unparalleled support for patients and their families.
BEST PRACTICES FOR HOSPITAL SPIRITUAL MINISTRY 5
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INTEGRATIVE CARE
Spiritual assessments are included in the patient care plans, to create holistic approaches that consider a patient’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
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CHAPLAINCY SERVICES
A dedicated chaplaincy team supports patients, families, and staff spiritually by providing counseling, prayer, and religious rites.
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DESIGNATED FAITH SPACES
Chapels, where patients, families, and staff can find peace, reflect, and pray, are constructed and maintained as sacred spaces to support spiritual growth.
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STAFF TRAINING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Healthcare staff are trained to recognize and address the spiritual needs of patients. This can include basic spiritual care techniques and when to refer to a chaplain.
Local religious and spiritual organizations collaborate to offer additional support and resources to meet patients' spiritual needs after discharge.
By adopting these strategies, hospitals can ensure that spiritual care is an integral part of their healthcare delivery, addressing the whole person and supporting patients and families through their health journeys with compassion and respect for their spiritual needs.
THE MBF SPIRITUAL MINISTRY MODEL
The Spiritual Ministry Program is a framework for comprehensive and intentional spiritual ministry initiatives beginning with a leadership envisioning conference that steers the creation of a spiritual plan for the facility, trains employees and incorporates spiritual ministry into the DNA of the hospital.
Muthoni Magayu, M.D., M.Div.
Dr. Muthoni Magayu's distinguished career merges her expertise in medicine with her dedication to spiritual ministry, positioning her as the ideal leader for MBF's expansion in Spiritual Ministry across mission hospitals, clinics, and nursing schools. Her medical degree from the University of Nairobi, complemented by a Master of Divinity in Biblical Studies from Africa International University and an MBA from Daystar University, brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to her role.
Boasting over a decade of experience in general clinical practice and management, Dr. Magayu's past accomplishments at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, a renowned Catholic mission hospital in Nairobi, highlight her capability and commitment. Additionally, her previous role as a student pastor with Christ is the Answer Ministries highlights her devotion to nurturing spiritual growth alongside healing the sick .
PARTNER WITH US IN HOPE & HEALING
Embark on a journey with MBF as we extend our hands to offer spiritual and physical healing to the communities our partner hospitals serve. This is an invitation to forge a partnership that transcends borders. Join us in our mission to bring hope, healing, and a brighter future to those in need. Together, we can make a profound difference in the lives of the most vulnerable, continuing a legacy of compassion and care that began over 60 years ago .
WAYS TO GIVE YOUR TAXDEDUCTIBLE DONATION THAT WILL SUPPORT SPIRITUAL MINISTRY PROGRAMS*:
Electronically: Convenient, quick, and secure at mbf.org/give
By Check: Mail to: MBF, ATTN: Spiritual Ministry, 12946 Dairy Ashford Rd., Suite 230, Sugar Land, TX 77478
Through Stocks, Bonds, Real Estate, or Other Non-Cash Assets: Optimize your giving through financial securities, making a lasting impact.
Through Estate Planning: Leave a legacy that echoes through future generations.
For more information about Spiritual Ministry programs or if you have questions, contact:
