Defining Our Christian Witness
MAP International's Christian witness involves sharing the holistic Gospel in a ministry of Total Health.
Our words and service to others invite people, families and communities toward transformation through Jesus Christ into abundant life in God's Kingdom.
Our goal, in all of our efforts, is the spiritual, physical, emotional and social well-being and wholeness of the people we serve.
Total Health - Leading to Abundant Life
Total Health is the ability of individuals, families and communities to advance their own spiritual, physical, emotional and social well-being. The emphasis is on the ability of people, individually and collectively, to transform their own well-being through God's power working in human lives. Three scriptural concepts have been important to the development of MAP's definition of Total Health.
Shalom
The Hebrew word sometimes translated as "health" actually implies a much broader conception of soundness, wholeness, well-being, peace and completeness encompassing every area of life. This is not seen as a state one reaches once and for all, but a dynamic process through life in God's Kingdom.
Sozo
The Greek word usually translated "to heal" is also used to signify "to save," "to protect," or "to preserve." In several scriptural references, the word is used to mean both healing and saving at the same time.
Abundant Life
Jesus introduced this concept with the phrase, "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly." This abundant life is available through the Kingdom God is establishing here on earth - and therefore must involve all aspects of our earthly lives - and in eternity.
Carrying Out MAP's Christian Witness: A History
In its early years, MAP's primary focus was to support the missions community based in the United States. This first phase expanded beyond to support of national and indigenous churches and para-church agencies.
Today, MAP sees its role as "Church-Plus" continuing the work firmly rooted in support of the church while intentionally carrying Christian witness to others. MAP International is known for a distinct and recognized competence in bridge-building among many different groups:
- Bridging Christian denominations with one another
- Bridging Protestants and Catholics
- Bridging missions and relief and development agencies
- Bridging faith-based efforts and secular ones
In one effort, MAP will work with a local mission hospital. And, at the same time, bring together several Christian agencies with different denominational ties. MAP partners with the local church on such issues as combating HIV and AIDS, while working alongside a secular agency in an emergency relief or other setting. The goal in each of these partnerships is the same: promoting Total Health in all of its various aspects among people living in impoverished communities.
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