"Go up into Gilead, and take balm, O virgin, the daughter of Egypt: in vain shalt thou use many medicines; for thou shalt not be cured." Jeremiah 46:11
Jesus is the TRUE balm of Gilead!
Table of Contents
1. The Name and Purpose of Gilead
2. Our Mission Statement
3. Institute Membership & Basic Beliefs
4. The Membership Pledge
5. A Brief History About the Institute
6. Past, Present, and Future Projects
7. God's Special Army of MMEs
1. The Name and Purpose of Gilead
The name of the organization is the Gilead Institute of America, Inc. It is a non-profit religious institution or church organization, and its main emphasis or focus is medical missionary evangelism. This it believes is the work that Jesus Christ did while on the earth--the work of teaching and healing. Therefore, since our Master sought to minister unto the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of all men, it is the Institute's belief that this "wholistic" form of work is greatly needed today. Hence, the reason for this kind of ministry."During His ministry, Jesus devoted more time to healing the sick than to preaching." Ministry of Healing, p. 19.
"In their work of teaching and healing, the disciples followed the example of the Master Teacher, who ministered to both soul and body." Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, p. 465.
The Institute upholds the Holy Bible as the infallible Word of God. Therefore, this is the main source of all its teachings. Its doctrines, beliefs, and principles are found in harmony with the holy Scriptures and the testimonies of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 3:15-17; Rev. 12:17). This organization also believes in the gift of the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 19:10), and its stand in all matters is, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isa. 8:20.
The name "Gilead" is found in the holy Bible. (See Jer. 8:22; 46:11). It means heap of witness or testimony. This name has long been promoted in the well-known song, "There is a balm in Gilead." Since anciently Gilead was a place of healing and it is this organization's goal to provide total healing to others, its members believe that this name has been appropriately chosen for the Institute's work. In harmony with the meaning of its name we read:
"Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord." Isa. 43:10.
"Bind up the testimony, seal the law among My disciples." Isa. 8:16.
Above every other reason for using this name is the Institute's belief that our perfect example, Jesus Christ, is the true balm of Gilead. Thus the wholistic mission of all Christ's true followers who desire to follow in their Master's footsteps should be "to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound" (Isa. 61:1).
Concerning the condition of many today and their remedy the Spirit of Prophecy says: "Upon many is a soul sickness which no earthly balm can reach nor physician heal. Pray for these souls, bring them to Jesus. Tell them that there is a balm in Gilead and a Physician there." Christ Object Lessons, p. 418.
PURPOSES: The following are the objectives or purposes for which this organization has been formed. The Institute is dedicated:
(a) To advance the gospel of Jesus Christ and the wonderful truths of the three angels' messages of Revelation, chapter 14, -- through the promotion of the medical missionary evangelistic work;Inspiration says, "Encourage every effort toward self-support. . . . In many places self-supporting missionaries can work successfully." Ministry of Healing, p. 177, 154.(b) To further the wholistic work that our Saviour began; namely, the closely blended spiritual work of the gospel and the physical work of healing, and not just preaching;
(c) To promote a knowledge of the natural laws of health and the philosophy that prevention is better than prescription;
(d) To encourage and educate individuals in medical missionary evangelistic work and prepare them for daily trials as well as the final crisis;
(e) To seek in every way to uplift the mental, physical, and spiritual well-being of all mankind;
(f) To establishing schools, sanitariums, places of worship, health institutions and training centers where young and old can become teachers, Bible workers, medical missionary evangelists, and lifestyle counselors who are willing to truly carry forward the wholistic ministerial work of advancing the everlasting gospel;
(g) To giving Bible studies, seminars, and classes geared to pointing all to Jesus Christ for salvation and to the glorious truths of the advent message;
(h) To carry out the functions of a self-supporting ministry or religious educational organization seeking to uplift or advance the work of God in these last days.
Provisional in set-up as well as in name, the Gilead Institute of America exists primarily to promote the inspired teachings of God's remnant church, and thus prepare a people to bring about the closing work for the church.
"A revival of true godliness among us is the greatest and most urgent of all our needs." Review and Herald, March 22, 1887.
In order to accomplish its various goals, the organization seeks to implement different programs that can bless individuals, communities, and mankind on a whole. This it does especially through medical missionary evangelistic work.
"In no other line of work is the truth to shine more brightly than in the medical missionary work." Medical Ministry, p. 39.