Streshley said another Congo project - sewing malaria nets- is funded with $2 million in USAID money, and is now the largest USAID-funded health program in the world.

"Even though (church funding) is down," he said, "we're probably more effective with the dollars we have than we were 15 years ago. We use it more wisely."

Streshley was describing in real-world terms what MBF Director Dan Force and PC(USA) International Health Ministries Director Bob Ellis often talk about in theory.

Force emphasized the need to provide both prevention and treatment to the world's poorest populations, like those in Congo. Ellis said public health also requires broader, long-term solutions, such as ensuring healthy crops to ensure good nutrition, as well as technology and drugs.

The breakfast included a celebration of Force's eight years of service to MBF. He is retiring on Sept. 1.