Dr. Raymond Benson, Founder of Medical Ambassadors International (1980), now called Lifewind, had a dream to minister to the spiritual and physical needs of the poorest of the poor through medical clinics and evangelism. Dr. Benson's founding philosophy was fivefold:
- The Gospel is first.
- The ministry is directed and performed by nationals.
- The integrated ministry of caring and sharing go hand in hand.
- Dr. Benson said, "We are to help people develop themselves; we are not there to impose our Western ways."
- Fundraising is done best by sharing compassionate human-interest stories of service and need. The Holy Spirit makes the "ask."
These are great principles to follow in planting churches among the unreached people groups of the world. It's a holistic approach that is gospel-centered, visible, and transferable.
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