The Church and Global Health

Disruptions, Advantages, and Opportunities
What would it look like to live a life full of abundance, safety, rich relationships, a sound mind, and a healthy body? Some Christians would argue it is impossible on this side of Eden. Their stories tell of heartache, pain, and injustice. Yet, in the gospel of John, Jesus said, ‘I have come that they might have life, and have it to the full.’ To those suffering and hurting, these words sound like a healing balm to body and soul. In the verse prior, John 10:9, we read, ‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.’ The Greek word for ‘will be saved’ is s?th?setai, whose meaning goes beyond being saved from condemnation. It also implies being set free from sin and being made whole. To what end? So that others might also have life and have it in abundance, and Jesus may be magnified. This being made whole includes all of who we are as humans, including our spirit, mind, and body. This is the biblical understanding of health and human flourishing.

• The Disruptions
• The Advantages
• The Responses
  "The call to global disciple-making is a call to address universal human suffering among all peoples as we continue to teach everything he commanded us to do (Matt 28:18-20)."
  "far from being a time of hopelessness, this time of global disruption can be the best opportunity to effectively address complex global health challenges and reduce dependency on outside resources."
• The Opportunities
  We must see a Great Convergence where caring for soul and body in community merge seamlessly.

For more information go to The Church and Global Health on the Lausanne Movement website.
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