7. God's Special Army of Medical Missionary Evangelists

As mentioned earlier, one distinct and unique feature in the Institute's teachings is reflected in its methodology of saving souls. The medical missionary evangelistic approach it advocates is the same approach that was adopted by Jesus Christ--the chief cornerstone. And as to the doctrinal validity for using this approach our Saviour said:

"If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself." John 7:17.

Not only was this approach used by our beloved Saviour, but also by His disciples in the work they did at the beginning of the Christian era. Throughout history, right up to this present time, Christ's faithful followers have always endeavored to preserve the true gospel of wholistic healing. It was passed on from age to age through individuals and groups of people who saw the need for preserving the faith that was once delivered unto the saints. For this reason the organization has espoused the goal of establishing a special army of medical missionary evangelists for the Lord.

The Institute believes that Christ's true followers today should approach the saving of souls in the unique way of showing that God is interested in the whole or entire man. It believes that this is the way in which God has always directed the work of ministering unto His creatures, but unfortunately it has been lost sight of over the years.

The members of this organization consider this wholistic approach to saving souls a very integral part of present truth, and therefore a very important concept in genuine Christianity. While most religious organizations today emphasize God's interest in the spiritual aspect of man only, the Institute's study of the law and the testimonies leads it to present the true gospel via medical missionary evangelistic work, thereby promoting the healing of the total man (mind, body, and spirit). Hence, as Christians and missionaries of our heavenly King this organization strongly advocates the natural law that whatever affects the mind affects the body, and whatever affects both the mind and the body also affects the spirit. The Spirit of Prophecy clearly shows that this truth should influence the missionary approach of all God's remnant people:

"We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work. The world is a lazar house filled with victims of both physical and spiritual disease. Everywhere people are perishing for lack of knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us. The members of the church are in need of an awakening, that they may realize their responsibility to impart these truths. Those who have been enlightened by the truth are to be light bearers to the world. To hide our light at this time is to make a terrible mistake. The message to God's people today is: 'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee' [Isa. 60:1]." Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 7, p. 62.

Therefore the members of the Gilead Institute are convicted that a combination of healing and teaching is essential for the promotion of the work entrusted to God's true church here on earth in these last days. This great work must be carried out both on and off the pulpit.

Furthermore, the Institute believes that just as Christ and His disciples used the healing of the physical as an entering wedge to the souls of men in times past, so must His disciples do today. From the very beginning of time and down through the ages God provided His true children with laws and instructions for better eating and living. In His dealings with ancient Israel, the Creator sought to show them the great necessity of incorporating health principles into their daily lives. Diet played a very important part in the truths that were imparted to them. In the Old Testament we read:

"For I am the Lord that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: to make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten." Lev. 11:45-47.

"Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them. . . . Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle. And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee." Deut. 7:11, 14-15.

In the New Testament the apostles knew the importance of diet and physical health. We read: "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's." 1 Cor. 6:19-20.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom. 12:1.

In light of God's unmistakable interest in man's total well-being, as brought to view in both the Old and New Testaments, the Institute seeks to keep this important concept alive. It also seeks to make others aware of the fact that throughout the Scriptures God's work of healing was not limited to using miracle working power or supernatural means, but it also included the use of natural remedies. (See 2 Kings 5:9-14; 20:7; John 5:2-4; 9:6-7.)

This organization believes that ministers and teachers of the Bible should present the gospel in conjunction with health-enhancing principles that will help others to acquire and maintain healthy minds and bodies. For this reason the Institute usually refers to those involved in this important ministry as lifestyle counselors, medical missionary evangelists, or members of God's special army, since they seek to advance the "wholistic" or balanced truths of the gospel for the transformation of mind, body, and spirit.

An awareness of the importance and great need for medical missionary evangelistic work still lacks among God's remnant people. Thus, the Institute regards the work of promoting the wholistic gospel as a very essential calling from God, and this, in its view, is a very important aspect of true Christian service. This belief is truly magnified by the following prophetic words:

"I wish to tell you that soon there will be no work done in ministerial lines but medical missionary work." Counsels on Health, p. 533.

The record shows that this organization's main objective is to invite as many people as possible to accept Jesus Christ--the true balm of Gilead, as Lord and Saviour of their lives, and to advance all God's wonderful truths. Also, it seeks to present the truth of the "wholistic" love of the Creator, as it firmly believes that Christ's followers ought to do.

 It is the prayer of the Gilead Institute that more people become medical missionary evangelists for God, individuals who encourage the healing of the whole man (mind, body, and spirit). We also believe that unity among such is essential if we are to successfully serve and bless all humanity.

To all who dedicate their lives to glorifying God through medical missionary evangelistic work, we extend our deepest regards: "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thess. 5:23.