2021 M3 Conference

Connect with Others. Be Inspired. Find Your Mission.

2021 M3 Conference Speakers

CLICK HERE to watch 2021 speaker sessions.

CLICK HERE to download speaker Q&A general questions and answers

Paul Osteen

Conference Hosts

Dr. Paul and Jennifer Osteen

Co-Founders, M3 Conference

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Paul Osteen

Conference Emcee

Chuck Pryor

Executive Director, Joel Osteen Radio
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Plenary and Breakout Speakers

Joy Vonk, PA-C

Anne Alaniz, DO

Co-Founder, Pothawira International,
Gynecologic Oncology Surgeon, Houston Methodist
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Jenny Dyer, PhD

Nicholas Comninellis, MD, MPH, DIMPH

President, Institute for International Medicine (INMED)
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Aileen Coleman, RN

Beryl D’Souza-Vali, MRCPCH

National Director, Good Shepherd Healthcare Initiative
Pediatrician, Good Shepherd Clinic,
Operation Mobilization India Ministries
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Aileen Coleman, RN

Mitch Duininck, MD, FAAFP

President/CEO of In His Image Inc. (IHI), Program Director of IHI Family Medicine Residency, CEO of IHI International Good Samaritan Health Services

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Joy Vonk, PA-C

Jon Fielder, MD

Medical Missionary, Kenya and Malawi, Chief Executive,
African Mission Healthcare (AMH)
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Buumba Bubala, MD, MPH

Leigh Kohler

Co-Founder and President,
Freedom Church Alliance
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Joy Vonk, PA-C

Ben Roberts, MD

Missionary Ophthalmologist,
Tenwek Mission Hospital, Kenya
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Joy Vonk, PA-C

Andrew Scott

President/CEO Operation Mobilization USA and
OM’s Global Leadership Team,
Operation Mobilization (OM)
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Joy Vonk, PA-C

Kelly Sites, RN

Disaster Assistance Response Team,
Samaritan’s Purse
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Joy Vonk, PA-C

Stephen J. Spann, MD, MBA

Founding Dean,
University of Houston College of Medicine
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Joy Vonk, PA-C

Rebecca (Becki) Thompson, RN

Retired Missionary Nurse Educator, Gabon, West Africa
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Joy Vonk, PA-C

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

Chief of Surgery and Director of Cardiothoracic Surgical Education
Tenwek Hospital, Kenya
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Poster Presentations

Mobilizing Medical Missions (M3) would like to congratulate all of the candidates who were selected to present their academic research posters at the 2021 M3 Conference.

Project of the Year

The 2021 M3 Conference benefitted the M3 Project of the Year recipient African Mission Healthcare (AMH). AMH’s mission is to strengthen mission hospitals to help patients in greatest need. They envision an African continent filled with enduring and improving health systems, where everyone has access to quality compassionate healthcare.

Conference Resources

The 2021 M3 Conference Program

Download this program to have the conference schedule, speaker bios, exhibitors, and much more right at your fingertips!

M3 Conference Schedule

March 5-6, 2021

Note: Times are listed in Central Standard Time (CST)

Friday, March 5, 2021

7:00pm
Plenary Session 01

Sharing the Light, Restoring Vision: A Pilgrimage of a Missionary Ophthalmologist and Family

Speaker(s):
Ben Roberts, MD

Description:
The calling and commitment to serve Jesus through medical missions is a journey filled with joy, excitement, disappointments, and pain.  Our family has served at Tenwek Mission Hospital since 2006, but the journey began long before that.  Greater than the mission is the Master who does the calling and leading.  This talk will describe our journey and offer some practical insights in how to listen, pursue, and serve the Master using medical missions.


 

Serving God with Open Hands

Speaker(s):
Kelly Sites, RN

Description:
Often times we hold those we love, our passions, goals, dreams and skills, our future, our professions, and serving God, with clenched fists. We want to maintain control and keep a firm grip on it all. Learn how serving God with open hands sets you free and takes you on a wild adventure of knowing a bigger God and a fulfilling life of service.


 

Where do People get their Medical Care?

Speaker(s):
Jon Fielder, MD

Description:
In the early 2000s, Dr. Jon Fielder felt the Lord leading him to Africa to care for those infected with HIV.  What began as a two-year stint became two decades and moved from fighting one disease to approaching broader hospital and health system challenges.  One doctor shares his story of navigating the changing role of medical missionaries amidst the evolving African medical landscape.


 

What’s in Your Hands? A Journey Out of the Village

Speaker(s):
Anne Alaniz, DO

Description:
How does a 17-year-old girl from a small village in Malawi, Africa with no name, no money and no roots become a Gynecologic Oncologist in the United States of America? And beyond that accomplishment, how does she become co-founder of an organization in her home village that now cares for orphans, widows and the sick. Follow the journey of God’s grace and provision for His call of obedience to a village girl who thought her hands were empty, but God knew she had everything He needed to accomplish what seemed impossible.

9:15pm
Prayer Room

(open for 30 minutes for one-on-one prayer)

9:30pm
Live M3 Studio

  Session Recap

  Live Q&A’s and Guest Interviews

  Conference Highlights

10:00pm
Conference Day 1 Ends

Saturday, March 6, 2021

8:00am
Breakout Sessions

The Gospel and Human Trafficking

Speaker(s):
Leigh Kohler

Description:
Human trafficking is one of the devastating results of a sinful and broken world. There are over 40 million people around the world trapped in slavery. Women, children and men are sold for free labor, sold for their organs and sold as sex slaves. In this session, we will discuss human trafficking and the unique role we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have in the work of pursuing justice and seeing captives set free.


 

Where Do I Fit in the Bigger Story?

Speaker(s):
Andrew Scott

Description:
To understand our calling, we need to widen our perspective. Rather than try to fit God into our story, let’s unpack how we were made to be a piece of the Big story, and experience the freedom and clarity that comes from understanding how it all fits together.


 

COVID-19 in Africa:  A View from the Ground

Speaker(s):
Jon Fielder, MD

Description:
Why has Africa been relatively spared from the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic?  What is it like caring for COVID-19 patients in an African hospital?  What lessons can we learn for global health and development?


 

Make a Lasting Impact:  Multiply Yourself!

Speaker(s):
Rebecca (Becki) Thompson, RN

Description:
How to make the maximum difference as a missionary nurse.  Invest in training, discipling and empowering godly nurses. They will then be equipped to change, both physically and spiritually, their communities and their nations.


 

Launching Your International Healthcare Career

Speaker(s):
Nicholas Comninellis, MD, MPH, DIMPH

Description:
Healthcare professionals enjoy a strong record of service to forgotten people. However, this career track is associated with high turnover, especially in international and cross-cultural settings. Unique professional skills are required, for the diseases may be different, medical resources minimal, cultural context challenging, and leadership skills insufficient. This presentation first addresses the principles of wise decision making. Next, professional decisions are addressed, including the selection of a professional specialty, a community to serve, a sending organization, and language learning needs. Finally, personal decisions are explored, including money management, personal health, spiritual health, family relationships, and legal guidance.

11:30am
Live M3 Studio

  Session Recap

  Live Q&A’s and Guest Interviews

  Conference Highlights

12:00pm
Lunch Break
12:15pm
Prayer Room

(open for 30 minutes for one-on-one prayer)

1:00pm
Plenary Session 02

Called to Share God’s Love as an Instrument of His Healing

Speaker(s):
Stephen J. Spann, MD, MBA

Description:
Dr. Stephen Spann felt a clear sense of calling to the profession of medicine at a very young age.  Blessed to grow up in Uruguay in a missionary family bilingual and bicultural, that calling has been lived out in caring for hurting patients around the world, teaching and role modeling compassionate care, and providing leadership to medical education and health care delivery programs in a number of countries.  Dr. Spann will share his story of how trying to follow God’s calling to share His love as an instrument of His healing has led him to amazing opportunities for ministry and moments of indescribable joy.


 

Mountain Go Throw Yourself into the Sea

Speaker(s):
Beryl D’Souza-Vali, MRCPCH

Description:
Dismantling oppressive systems using Healthcare—A journey of challenging and breaking systems of exploitation including sex trafficking using healthcare and community work.


 

What are You Here For? Motivations in Missions

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

Description:
Biblical, medical, and practical motivations for involvement in medical mission work.


 

Here Am I

Speaker(s):
Mitch Duininck, MD, FAAFP

Description:
The options are endless.  The opportunities are myriad.  The needs are overwhelming.  The arguments are plentiful.  The workers are few.  The harvest is abundant.  His grace is enough!  The Lord is asking – “Who will go; who should We send?”

3:00pm
Live M3 Studio

  Session Recap

  Live Q&A’s and Guest Interviews

  Conference Highlights

3:15pm
Prayer Room

(open for 30 minutes for one-on-one prayer)

4:00pm
Conference Ends

2021 M3 Conference Sponsors

Silver Sponsors:

First Presbyterian Church Houston
Houston's First Baptist Church
Lakewood Church
Medical Benevolence Foundation
Medical Journal Houston
The Signatry
Woodlands Church

Nickel Sponsors:

Café las Misiones

Bronze Sponsors:

Café las Misiones
Health Education Program For Developing Communities
Houston Methodist
Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church
West University Baptist / Crosspoint Church

2021 M3 Conference Exhibitors

*Also a conference sponsor