History
In 1954, the late J. Raymond Knighton answered a call in his tiny office at the Christian Medical Society on Dearborn Street in Chicago. As the director of an organization that coordinated fellowships among Christian medical students and doctors, Ray had a reputation for knowing “every medical missionary in the world.” So when an executive at a major East Coast pharmaceutical company wanted to donate $25,000 in surplus medicines, he knew just whom to call.
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| Founder of MAP International, Ray Knighton |
"It completely disrupted operations," Knighton would recall in a 1979 interview. He and his secretary spent the next three months distributing the 11 tons of medicines where they were most needed overseas.
So began the new ministry providing essential medicines for mission clinics and hospitals. Since that day, MAP would deliver more than $2.6 billion in medicines and other essential supplies to impoverished communities around the world.
In its early years, MAP's moniker Serving the Servants®, reflected its mission toward providing for the medical needs of missions.
Today, with Health and Hope for A Hurting World®, MAP has expanded its focus to promote community health development and prevention of disease. Millions of families have been impacted by that single call.
Ray Knighton’s thriving legacy impacts millions of people throughout the world each year.
MAP Milestones
1954 - Medical Assistance Programs is created with the donation of $25,000 in surplus medicines from The Schering Corporation.
1963 - MAP’s first emergency relief effort: Typhoon Gloria in Taiwan.
1984 - Opening of MAP’s first Africa office in Kenya.
1991 - MAP provides relief for impoverished in former Soviet-bloc countries.
1998 - MAP responds with thousands of pounds of medical relief for those devastated by Hurricane Mitch in Honduras.
2001 - With the fall of the Taliban, MAP International airlifts medical supplies to people in Afghanistan.
2004 - MAP celebrates 50 years of service and $1.75 billion worth of medicines and supplies to nearly 135 countries
2005 - With a supply of $1.1 million in essential medicines destined for El Salvador, MAP International surpassed the $2 billion mark in distributed medicines and medical supplies.
2006 - MAP International launches mobile health clinics to serve people in Louisiana and Mississippi affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. | 
