News Releases 2008
LETU Pre-Med Students to Attend Global Missions Health Conference
Mon, Nov 3 2008
Four LeTourneau University pre-med students will attend the 13
th annual Global Missions Health Conference (GMHC) Nov. 13-15 in Louisville, Ky., thanks
to the help of some anonymous local East Texas doctors who provided scholarship funds for the
students to attend.
The purpose of the GMHC is to promote sustainable and innovative
programs to provide medical assistance for the poor across the globe. It is the largest conference
of its kind, attracting more than 2,000 attendees annually. The conference will allow the LETU
students to connect with others who share their interest in medicine and missions through a
relationship to Christ.
Karen Rispin, associate professor of biology and faculty sponsor
for the conference, attended the conference last year and became interested in providing the
opportunity for pre-med students to attend. She contacted a local doctor who helped secure
funding.
“Last year when I was at GMHC with LEGS, I saw how valuable it
would be to our students,” Rispin said. It’s aimed at medical professionals and students
heading into the medical professions who might be interested in missions. Virtually every
sending organization is there and many medical professionals who work full or part time in
missions. It was a wonderful spiritual challenge as well.”
The students will hear from experts working to improve maternal
and child health, prevent diseases like malaria, HIV/AIDS, and provide care for orphans. The
goal is to empower others to improve the quality of life and change the world through sustainable
programs that local people can run themselves, thereby training them to solve their own
problems.
The four pre-med majors each wrote applications to qualify for
scholarships to attend the conference. Tiana Schufeldt wrote in her application, “I know that
by attending the GMHC, I would be better equipped to serve others through medical missions work,
whether here in the States or in another country—service for God’s glory.”
Rene Terrall wrote that she felt it would benefit her to be
exposed to people who have experienced this field before she commits her life to it. Nick
Bergren, wrote that the conference would help him see what opportunities he would have to glorify
God as a doctor, both in the United States and abroad.
“I believe the Lord wants me to be involved in global medical
missions in a permanent way,” wrote Jesse Swingle, “and this conference would be an incredible
opportunity that He could use in my life.”
