By Kalli Kauffman (BA 27)
Serving in ministry doesn’t simply mean working as a pastor, missionary, or church elder. You can also serve as a doctor, physician assistant, pharmacist, or any other health professional. Sharing your love of Christ with others means demonstrating a spirit of humility and putting others first in everything you do. If you desire to pursue a health science degree and feel a calling to healthcare careers, discover more about how to combine faith and medicine in your future job.
Is healthcare a form of ministry?
Yes! In the field of healthcare, you must be able to humbly serve your community. Similar to ministry, this means using your gifts in the medical field to care for others.
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
If you feel a calling to healthcare careers, you’ll combine your knowledge of science with biblical understandings to effectively serve your patients. Your combined scientific knowledge of anatomy, biology, and genetics will help you diagnose treatment methods needed to assist your patient in recovery. Meanwhile, by integrating faith into your healthcare career, you will be able to minister to people in difficult circumstances. As they see your care and compassion, it can point them to the Lord’s care for them as well.
How do Christian colleges prepare students for healthcare careers?
A Christian education teaches you the biblical foundation you will apply in your healthcare career. First, you will learn the importance of valuing human beings. The basis of caring for others means recognizing how each and every person reflects God’s image.
“We really encourage our students to think about areas of healthcare that focus and emphasize a connection to people,” said Dr. Rick Roberts, associate dean of the School of Science and Engineering.
“With healthcare, you have some unique advantages to show humility,” said Roberts. “The people you’re dealing with are very vulnerable. They drop any facade they have because their illness is demanding all their focus and attention. They can no longer pretend everything is fine.”
Within the capacity of your career, you’re able to provide comfort, hope, and love for these patients facing a crisis.
When you enter the healthcare profession, you’ll combine faith and medicine to honor God’s creation through Christ-centered relationships.
As you earn your degree in healthcare, you will also learn how to encourage and grow as you integrate your faith into your healthcare preparations. Within the body of Christ, it’s important to build one another up in your walk as healthcare professionals.
