The medical needs of a community brought ministries together to serve a common purpose. Health and Generosity opened doors for teamwork among Team Turquoise, the Malabag Seventh-day Adventist Church, and the medical team—a group of doctors, nurses, and students in Silang. And volunteers from Adventist World Radio (AWR) Center for Digital Evangelism (CDE), worked for one cause: sharing Jesus’ healing power with the community. Gem, a member of Team Turquoise, shared, “It could be challenging since we have different insights about what Ministry is, but what put us together is covering their needs.”
Most attendees lack access to basic medical care, and paying for services would cost more than they can afford as a family.
Some of the services displayed were tooth extraction, blood pressure, adult and kid check-ups, body massage, pharmacy, and providing vitamin supplements. Gem served in the registration area, where she had the chance to meet each patient.
Around 400 people attended from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. This Medical Mission was the preparation for the week of prayer that took place afterward. Jesus supplied the community’s physical needs to reach their spiritual needs.
Gem found joy and inspiration in seeing people and allowing herself to interact with them. “It was lightening to see them and ask if they have a prayer request from the Medical Mission up to the Crusade,” she recalled. There were tons of people, each with beautiful stories and experiences to share. But one person caught Gem’s attention during the appeal: a woman with teary eyes who was accepting Jesus.
There, Gem realized that it was not through their efforts but by the Holy Spirit’s conviction that heaven rejoices even just for one precious soul.
From the next day forward, the Malabag church and Team Turquoise gathered nightly for a week to preach the gospel. Each night included health lectures, incentivizing physical care. The district Pastor preached throughout the week, and topics like Creation, the state of death, and Baptism were shared. The Pastor’s messages were a blessing, as he shared multiple fundamental topics that the audience had never heard before. “Many people stand for Jesus. A lot of people were hesitant to be baptized, but the seed was planted in their hearts,” says Johnrey, leader of Team Turquoise.
On the first night of prayer, 48 non-adventists attended, bringing their children and friends. In total, around 60 people attended the meetings.
Malabag Church joined in singing and praying, while Team Turqouse led the children’s service, sharing Bible stories. Some familiar faces from the Medical Mission attended the Week of Prayer. Having first sought physical healing, they now reached out for spiritual healing as well.
From the first to the last night of the crusade, transformation was evident. While shyness and doubt were present at first, their joy and openness reflected how they started to embrace Jesus’s message as the nights went on.
Gem shared valuable advice: “Be friends with them, be familiar with the place, routine, and their setup. Let us be intentional.”
To truly reach out to the community, we must recognize and prioritize their needs. Challenges may arise, but with teamwork and a clear purpose, we can make a lasting difference—even in just one soul.
