PC(USA) - International Health Ministries


	Children orphaned by AIDS line up for a meal at the Ministry of Hope in Malawi. Photo by Gail Bingham The International Health Ministries (IHM) coordinates the ministries of the PC(USA) in international health and development. The IHMO works in partnership with overseas churches and institutions to facilitate health programs that place priority on the most vulnerable and poorest segments of the population. These programs, operating in over 30 countries worldwide, emphasize ways to alleviate the causes of ill health and promote true health and wholeness. IHM Strategic Plan: "Building Healthy Communities" In response to the changing needs of the world and its own diminishing resources, the International Health Ministries has drafted a strategic plan to makes its work on behalf of our partner churches both more intentional and more effective. "Building Healthy Communities" will be the theme underlying IHM's activities, as the office lives out its mandate to help partner churches respond to the health needs of the poorest of God's people. [Read more]


	2008 NetWorkers Mother’s Day Project 2008 NetWorker’s Mother’s Day card. Design by Michelle Bingham. The 2008 NetWorkers Mother’s Day cards are ready! Since 2001 the NetWorkers Mother’s Day Project has made it possible each spring for Presbyterians in the United States to support malaria prevention programs in Africa while also honoring our mothers and other special women on Mother’s Day. NetWorkers Mother's Day cards are available in exchange for a donation to the NetWorkers Malaria Prevention Program. Your gifts to the NetWorkers Program are used to purchase mosquito nets overseas and provide training and supplies for volunteer malaria prevention educators in our partner church communities. [Read more]


	Extra Commitment Opportunity Giving: Helping Where It's Needed Most Projects that empower women to care for themselves and their families, like this one in Ethiopia, are an important part of International Health Ministries' mission to help build healthy communities. Photo by Gail Bingham. Extra Commitment Opportunity accounts ("ECOs") are a means for Presbyterians to channel their mission giving through a secure, reliable system that ensures the use of your gifts as you intended. Because our denomination has a history of support for health missions that is both long and broadly diverse, there are ECO accounts that direct financial support to nearly over a hundred different health and development ministries. To help you discern how to direct your mission support, International Health Ministries has identified ECO accounts that represent projects that respond to critical current needs of our overseas partners. These are listed below. Several projects related to the International Health Ministries' commitment to address the Diseases of Poverty (AIDS, Malaria and TB) are also highlighted for special consideration. Congo 319702: Bibanga Hospital 319902: Bulape Hospital 423102: Mbujimayi Christian Medical Center 520001: CPK Clinics, Kinshasa 320202: IMCK Good Shepard Hospital 320402: IMCK Community Health 320902: IMCK Nursing & Laboratory Technician Schools 862762: Lubondai Hospital 581502: Luebo Hospital 052050: Empowering Congolese Women Haiti 862619 - La Gonave Community Health Pakistan 862311 - Memorial Christian Hospital, Sialkot 865364 - Christian Hospital, Taxila Sudan 862759 - Health Work in Sudan Ethiopia 862764 - Suri Health Work 862141 - Community Health Program, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus International 862701 - International Health Ministries 862706 - AIDS Crisis Overseas 051674 - 048013 - NetWorkers Malaria Prevention Program 052501: Capacity Building for African Women 862703: Water for All


	NetWorkers Program The NetWorkers Malaria Prevention & Evangelism Program coordinates congregational-based projects which seek to reduce the health burden of malaria through the use of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and community education. There are currently NetWorker projects in Africa and Asia, each supported by Presbyterian Women in the United States. Learn more about the Networkers Program.


	Mother at the beside of her malaria-stricken child at Mulanje Mission Hospital in Malawi. Photo by Dr. Sue Makin. General Assembly mandates new initiative to combat malaria in Africa MALARIA: In the time it took to say that word, ten people – most of them young children in Africa – contracted malaria and began fighting for their lives. Malaria is a health scourge that claims the lives of over one million people each year, and traps millions more in a cycle of poverty and disease. Lost work time due to repeated bouts of malaria means lost income for already impoverished families. It has been estimated that malaria costs African nations $12 billion annually in lost economic growth. Malaria costs African families the precious lives of their children, who die from malaria at the rate of 3,000 per day. [Read more]


	It’s A Matter of Faith As Presbyterians, our faith calls us to action in response to the crisis of AIDS. PCUSA works in partnership with church leaders, mission personnel and health institutions in over 30 countries to support varied HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs. Assisting our partners in Africa, where AIDS is destroying families and undermining entire communities, is the focus of PCUSA’s “It’s A Matter of Faith” ministry. Resources are available to help your congregation engage in this vital effort. [Read more]


	Your church in global mission One of the hallmarks of our denomination is the support for global mission that Presbyterians have demonstrated for over a century. In Africa, some of the oldest and largest health care facilities were founded by the Presbyterian Church. In many parts of the undeveloped world, church-supported health programs are the only accessible, affordable source of treatment for people in poor and remote areas. The long tradition of financial support by Presbyterians has allowed these programs to continue their history of service. In recent years, Presbyterians increasingly want to go beyond financial support for an overseas mission project — they want to DO something tangible and in person. [Read more]


	Are you ready for the challenge? Explore the numerous possibilities for mission service, in the United States and internationally. As you review the program information, you can consider which path of service is most right for you. If you feel called to the mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the challenges of new cultures, new people, different languages, and demanding roles excite your sense of adventure, we look forward to hearing from you. Go to the position search! Find out more about mission opportunities.


	Medical Benevolence Foundation Medical Benevolence Foundation (MBF) exists to proclaim and demonstrate the gospel of Jesus Christ through a healing ministry.