Project of the Year

The staff of Mukinge Mission Hospital continues to "say yes" to being the hands and feet of Jesus, by caring for the medical, surgical, and spiritual needs of the Kaonde people of Zambia. We are excited about having Mukinge Mission Hospital as the "project of the year" for the M3 Conference.

Learn More

2017 M3 Conference Schedule

Lakewood Church | Houston, TX

Day 01

NEW ADDITION – separate registration required and additional fee applies

From Success to Significance: Building a Life of Purpose

Speaker:
Joël Malm
Founder Summit Leaders

Room:
Camellia I & II

Sessions:

Session 1: Making the Shift from Success to Significance
Session 2: Finding Your Message
Session 3: Mapping a Vision for Significance

Tools for Christian Healthcare Service on the Relief-Development Spectrum

Speaker:
Laura Smelter, MD
Director of Training for Christian Health Service Corps

Room:
Azalea I & II

Sessions:

Session 1: Tools for Disaster and Refugee Response: SPHERE International Standards
Session 2: Tools for Transformational Development: The Community Health Evangelism Model
Session 3: Tools for Clinical Care and Training in Developing Communities

An Introduction to Ultrasound for the Mission Field: Learn How to Use and Acquire an Ultrasound for Your Patients

Speaker(s):
Various professionals in the field

Room:
Bluebonnet

Sessions:

Session 1: The Physics of Ultrasonography
Session 2: Basic Scanning Techniques for Obstetrics, Abdomen (including aorta), Pelvis and Trauma
Session 3: Scanning Lab – workshop participants will have the opportunity to participate in a scanning lab where they can practice scanning with supervision

Plenary Session 01

Ordinary People Can Do Extraordinary Things

Speaker:
Buumba Bubala, MD, MPH

Location:
Main Auditorium

Description:
We all start out as ordinary everyday people, doing ordinary everyday things. Then, somewhere along the way some begin to think bigger than themselves, become more willing to sacrifice and lend an ear to the call of God…and become extraordinary.

Disaster Response from a Nurse’s Perspective: Why I Keep Going Back

Speaker:
Kelly Sites, RN

Location:
Main Auditorium

Description:
I will share why I keep going back to disasters and serving others following natural disasters such as earthquakes and Tsunamis, deadly outbreaks such as Ebola and Cholera, caring for refugees, traveling to high-risk terrorist countries, and many other difficult deployments.

Finding Your Place in World Missions

Speaker:
Joël Malm

Location:
Main Auditorium

Description:
God has a unique call and place for you in world missions. Sometimes finding that place can feel overwhelming and stepping into the unknown of missions can be scary. If you’ve got a big vision to reach the world, this session will give you a practical roadmap for stepping out into God’s calling on your life.

What are You Here For? Motivation in Missions

Speaker:
Russ E. White, MD, MPH, FACS, FCS (ECSA)

Location:
Main Auditorium

Description:
In this session, we will look at Biblical, medical, and practical motivations for involvement in medical mission work. We will discuss common questions such as “How do I know if God is really calling me to missions?” and “Can’t I serve the Lord just as effectively in my current location rather than traveling overseas?” Finally, we will look at what distinctly characterizes us in our mission work. All of these issues will be illustrated with memories of more than 20 years of full time, foreign Christian medical mission work.

Keynote

What Does God Expect of Us?

Speaker:
Rich Stearns

Location:
Main Auditorium

Description:
Is our faith just about going to church, studying the Bible, and avoiding the most serious sins—or does God expect more? Have we embraced the whole gospel or a gospel with a hole in it? World Vision U.S. president Rich Stearns tells his story of coming face-to-face with that question nearly 20 years ago in a mud hut in Rakai, Uganda. His journey took him from the corner office at one of America’s most prestigious corporations to a life devoted to walking with the poorest of the poor in our world. His story demonstrates how the gospel—the whole gospel—was always meant to be a world-changing social revolution, a revolution that begins with us.

Day 02

Challenging Cases in a Mission Hospital Setting

Speaker:
Buumba Bubala, MD, MPH

Room:
The Loft, 4th Floor

Description:
A look at how doctors at a remote and rural mission hospital in a resource limited setting care for patients with challenging medical conditions. The session will highlight challenging medical cases seen in a remote and rural mission hospital set amid limited resources.

1000 Days and Advocacy: How Nutrition Saves Lives

Speaker:
Jenny Eaton Dyer, PhD and William Moore

Room:
The Warehouse, 4th Floor

Description:
In this session, we will take a deeper dive into the effects of hunger and malnutrition in developing nations in the first 1000 days of a child’s life – from conception to two years. During this window is the opportunity to provide a strong foundation physically and cognitively for the child’s life. How can we better advocate for these mothers and children? What does Scripture call us to do? We will offer new ways to engage in these issues to advance food security issues worldwide.

Caring for the Victims of Humanitarian Disasters and Military Conflict

Speaker:
Mitch Duininck, MD

Room:
4023, 4th Floor

Description:
Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) face significant challenges to their health and well-being that are unique due to lack of necessary resources including food, water, sanitation, shelter, security, and healthcare. Caring for people in these situations requires an understanding of their unique needs as well as having realistic goals regarding what can and cannot be done for them.

Recent experiences in providing healthcare for the victims of disasters in Nepal, Kurdistan, and Turkey – both natural and manmade – highlight the need to be well prepared when serving in these difficult situations. Focus areas for the presentation and discussion will include team selection and preparation; travel and logistics issues; identifying and addressing the needs of the people being served, including physical, psychological, and spiritual needs; partnering with other relief organizations and local authorities; and returning home successfully.

We are called to serve “the least of these,” and the victims of disasters and crises certainly qualify. Often these events, though causing much hardship and suffering, create the possibility for doors and hearts to be open to the message of Jesus that otherwise would be closed. We must be both willing and well prepared if we are to serve well when we are called to respond to those in need.

No Boundaries to Love: The Perfect Place to Start Your Medical/Surgical Mission

Speaker:
Steve James, CRNA

Room:
Mission Control, 3rd Floor

Description:
Join Dr. Paul Osteen and other health care providers to discover a place where your God-given talents can be used to change a life. KenyaRelief.org has a 15 year history of providing safe and well organized medical/surgical missions for more than 3000 health care providers. There is a place for everyone. We are dedicated to making your short term mission a success.

Why America Needs Africa: How Relationships Can Be a Turning Point in Medical Missions

Speaker:
Arianna Shirk, MD

Room:
3024, 3rd Floor

Description:
As the medical infrastructure in Africa grows, the need for medical missions and role of American physicians is changing rapidly. Arianna will discuss the importance of building relationships with native healthcare workers, the nuances of training and discipleship, and the doors that can open when the work is approached with humility and deference.

Disaster Response Nursing 101: What I Learned in the Trenches

Speaker:
Kelly Sites, RN

Room:
The Chapel, 3rd Floor

Description:
Tricks and tips I’ve learned over 7 years of international disaster response nursing. Stories from the trenches.

Linking Resident Education and Discipleship Across Country Borders: PAACS

Speaker:
Keir Thelander, MD, FACS, FWACS, FCS (ECSA)

Room:
2028, 2nd Floor

Description:
In 2 Timothy 2:2 Paul writes, “And the things you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” That verse has been the major component of the marching orders for the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons since 1997. God has now expanded PAACS influence to 9 training sites in 8 different countries across Africa. One hundred percent of PAACS’ graduates continue to work and serve and share the love of Christ in Africa. In spite of the challenges of overseeing a cross-cultural, across country borders program, God continues to open doors for growth and the expansion of His glory through PAACS.

Propelling Your Career

Speaker:
Jim Tour, PhD

Room:
Trailblazers, 2nd Floor

Description:
Several keys to a successful professional career will be discussed. This includes the need to build a human network of friends, to maintain integrity in speaking and actions, and to maintain a healthy family balance. And for the Christian it is imperative to be meditating daily in the scriptures.

Dental Missions: What to Know Before You Go

Speaker:
Mark A. Kuhl, DMD

Room:
3022, 3rd Floor

Description:
This session will review essentials of what you need to have an efficient, effective short-term dental mission trip. Dr. Kuhl will review a variety of clinical scenarios and how to be prepared for them.

How to love and respect people of other faiths, while trying to reach them for Jesus

Speaker:
Aileen Coleman, RN

Room:
The Chapel, 3rd Floor

Description:
Drawing on 60 years as a missionary nurse in the Middle East, Aileen will share her perspective on how to share the Gospel to people of different faith.

3 Creative Ways to Fund Your Passion for Missions

Speaker:
Joël Malm

Room:
Trailblazers, 2nd Floor

Description:
You’ve got a heart to reach the world, but how do you pay for it? Travel is expensive and the needs are so great. In this session Joël Malm will give practical tips to help you find creative ways to fund the call God has placed on your heart for the world.

Disaster Response – Earthquake Injuries

Speaker:
Lee McCluskey, MD

Room:
2028, 2nd Floor

Description:
Major earthquakes necessitate a rapid, extensive medical response. Disaster Assistance Response Teams require preparation and include many disciplines. We will discuss initial evaluation and treatment of common injuries and associated conditions. Experience from the most recent major earthquakes in Haiti (2010), Nepal (2015) and Ecuador (2016) will be reviewed

Disability and Rehabilitation at a Mission Hospital in Nepal

Speakers:
Josh Riggsbee, MD and Sarah Riggsbee, Speech Language Pathologist

Room:
3024, 3rd Floor

Description:
How God has opened our eyes and is opening doors to the homes of the disabled peoples of Nepal.

Overcoming Missions Work Fears and Naysayers: En Route to Changing Our Lives and Those of Others

Speaker:
Dorcas Musili, MSN, RN

Room:
Mission Control, 3rd Floor

Description:
Everyone has their place in a medical mission trip regardless of your title. However, sometimes challenges cause limitations to serving on mission trips. The objective of this session is to guide you to break those barriers and provide some insight into what may help you take some positive steps towards the realization of the fulfillment of serving. This session will cover some of these challenges: Organizational affiliation, time off from work, financial obligations, and how to work around those barriers.

Rapid Expansion of Opportunities: Cardiac Surgery in SubSaharan Africa

Speaker:
Russ E. White, MD, MPH, FACS, FCS (ECSA)

Room:
The Loft, 4th Floor

Description:
We will look at the relative burden of cardiac disease in the developing world, and particularly the Sub-Saharan region of Africa. Most people generally think of infectious diseases and trauma-related conditions as necessarily being the priority for health care in the developing world. However, non-communicable chronic conditions represent an enormous portion of the disease burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, with surgically correctable cardiac conditions causing a disproportionately high amount of loss of life and productivity. We will look at the opportunities which are developing within the region to begin to meet this enormous challenge. As Christian health care providers, we have a unique opportunity to bring complete healing of hearts to a large group of often forgotten people.

In Pursuit of Success or Significance?

Speaker:
Phillip Kemp, DDS, AAACD

Room:
3022, 3rd Floor

Description:
Many dental professionals have reached high-levels of “success”, some even at the very pinnacle of success by all professional measures. But countless have woke up in the morning wondering, “is there more to my life, my talents, and my practice than this!?” Many have longed to utilize their gifts, talents, and expertise in dentistry to leave a lasting impact on the world, only to find themselves frustrated at seemingly “short-term” activity that does not begin to provide long-term solutions to change the paradigm of dental care around the world. Dr. Phillip Kemp leads an intriguing and insightful explorative conversation around the opportunity before the dental community to make a tremendous and significant impact for the Kingdom of God around the world.

The Poor and Neglected Among Us: Opportunities for Urban Missions

Speaker:
Joy Vonk, PA-C

Room:
4023, 4th Floor

Description:
Is God calling you to serve in urban missions? What is the need for urban missions? How do I reach the poor and neglected close to home? Learn about local efforts to provide medical care to the disadvantaged. Hear how God provides opportunities to minister to those in your very own community. Understand how to provide integrated faith-based healthcare.

No More Fish: The Next Generation in Medical Missions

Speaker:
Andrew Mayo

Room:
The Warehouse, 4th Floor

Description:
We know the parable, it is far better to equip someone to help themselves than to do it for them. We also know from our experience that to have any hope of achieving sustainability, mission hospitals will be forced to move to the next level. Clinical standards, improved systems strengthening and educational training are essential elements for achieving the next level of patient care.

From Missions to Congress: Why Advocacy Matters

Speaker:
Jenny Eaton Dyer, PhD

Room:
Main Auditorium

Description:
In this session, we will discuss the importance of storytelling from the fields of global medical missions to Congressional leaders and how that experience abroad can influence poverty focused assistance for health and development in low income nations. Further, we will look at the critical interventions for maternal and child health to save lives and enhance sustainability for communities.

Surgery…The Neglected Child of Global Public Health

Speaker:
Keir Thelander, MD, FACS, FWACS, FCS (ECSA)

Room:
Main Auditorium

Description:
Public health now has a prominent role in the health initiatives of developing countries across the world. Despite this push, development of an adequate surgical workforce has not occurred. The surgical disease burden continues to grow, now reaching unfathomable numbers. The Lancet Commission on Global Surgery reports, “Over half the global population cannot access the treatment they need should they hemorrhage after childbirth, suffer a burn, or develop cancer.” It is exactly a need like this that has given an opportunity for Christians to reach in to a needy world, giving the love of Christ’s hands and feet. In 1997, God gave an inspiration to create a surgical training program in Sub-Saharan Africa to facilitate training and discipleship for some of Africa’s next generation of surgeons. PAACS (The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons) was created to meet not only the physical needs, but be a strategic response to the spiritual needs. PAACS now has over 60 graduates and over 70 residents currently in training.

Neglected Tropical Diseases: The Ancient Afflictions of the Poor

Speaker:
Peter Hotez, MD, PhD

Room:
Main Auditorium

Run to Battle

Speakers:
Mitch Duininck, MD

Room:
Main Auditorium

Description:
Growing up in a small town in west central Minnesota, the idea of becoming a medical doctor and traveling the world to serve those in great need seemed highly unlikely. But with God, the unlikely and unexpected often become the norm. Stories of this journey of faith will encourage, inspire, and challenge us to look not for the easiest path in life but rather to be open to a call from Jesus to be His hands and feet, to go to those who are suffering, and to run to the battle!

Barefoot in Burundi

Speaker:
Todd Price, MD

Room:
Main Auditorium

Description:
They’re barefoot in Burundi. And in so many other places in which we have worked, basic needs go unattended. They have malaria, tuberculosis, jiggers, ascariasis, hookworm, cholera, typhoid, schistosomiasis, HIV, infestations. And besides that, they are poor, malnourished and anemic. They arrive to hospitals and clinics in such severe duress that it is a wonder how they could have gotten themselves into such dire circumstances. Yet despite these overwhelming impossibilities, despite these seemingly unbroken circles of despair, poverty and hopelessness, we can make a difference. Regardless of our training and respective expertise, we can provide sustainable solutions to basic healthcare problems and pursue health in communities worldwide.

Saying Yes: Our Journey to Nepal

Speaker:
Sarah Riggsbee, Speech Language Pathologist

Room:
Main Auditorium

Description:
A story of what happens after answering Yes to God’s calling into missions.

Quiet Whispers: Journey from a Call to the Far Side of the Sea

Speakers:
Arianna Shirk, MD

Room:
Main Auditorium

Description:
Arianna will discuss her journey from a call early in life through the long and unpredictable training process and how God gently and insistently led her family to work and live at a mission hospital in Kijabe, Kenya.

Keynote