Ken Nippert believes in living his faith. As the area director of Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA), Nippert conducts two mission trips a year, bringing healthcare services — and the message of Christian discipleship — to people in third-world countries.

 

CMDA represents the largest group of Christian physicians and dentists in the U.S. The organization claims more than 15,000 members nationally and Memphis has one of CMDA's largest chapters. Nippert coordinates supplies and participants for the trips he leads, bringing together doctors, nurses, physical therapists, dentists, and students who choose to volunteer their time and talents at medical outreach clinics.

 

In June, Nippert led 40 CMDA members (20 from Memphis) on a mission trip to El Salvador, a country he's served several times before. "This trip is an introductory mission trip, since it's only four hours away, and people don't have to rough it. But many people go and the Lord opens their hearts to the hurting, needy people we see," said Nippert. 

 

The trips are part of CMDA's Global Health Outreach arm, which is dedicated to bringing healthcare and the Gospel to people of all nationalities. They offer basic medical and dental care through clinics operated on a voluntary basis in countries like Nigeria, China, India, Nicaragua, and Mexico. On the Salvadoran trip, members from Downline Ministries, a Memphis-based organization that works with ministers on developing discipleship, were also in attendance. CMDA members pay between $1,200 to $2,000 (depending on the destination) to cover travel expenses, plus airfare.

 

The group flew into San Salvador, bringing along $10,000 worth of medical and dental supplies, nearly all of which were donated to the organization. The vast inventory includes everything from wheelchairs and eyeglasses to vaccines and toothbrushes. From the capital city, the volunteers travel to Santa Anna where they meet with members from the host church, Oasis of Grace Church, an evangelical Christian congregation. The visitors stay at a local hotel and once settled, attend a reception thrown by church members as a kick-off for the week.

 

With the clinic open for business, word spreads quickly and patients begin trickling in from the surrounding countryside of the towns Texistepeque and Chalchuapa. Since this is a primary care facility, the ailments doctors treat are common ones: worms, rashes, toothaches, stomach viruses. The clinics are set up in rural areas where the poor are underserved, and don't always have ready access to medical care. Many walk miles to get to the clinic, often with small children or elderly parents in tow. As patients await treatment, they meet with Christian counselors, who witness to them about their faith. Salvadoran natives help translate so the peasants can understand their message.

 

Ed Cattau, MD, who works as a gastroenterologist with the Memphis Gastroenterology Group, says while patients are sometimes perplexed as to why American doctors and nurses would travel such a great distance to see them, they're ultimately very appreciative. "They have gratitude. And they're also curious about what prompted us to come here. That's what allows us to open up about our faith. That's our reason for being here," said Cattau.

 

The CMDA always works in conjunction with a sponsoring physician and the nation's healthcare system. In that way, patients whose medical issues require further care get plugged into the state's healthcare network. "Most of these countries have socialized medicine," noted Cattau, who has served as the medical director on past mission trips with CMDA. "We don't want to belittle their healthcare system," said Cattau, although he said these countries do operate with far fewer resources. Beyond state care in El Salvador, "There are charity hospitals, so the people have access to healthcare. It's available even for the indigent. It is amazing what people can do with less and do well with what they have. They're more creative regarding how they address problems with fewer resources."

 

Nippert says they also make sure patients understand that their care is available regardless of whether the people choose to hear their message. "We're going to treat people and do the best to help them," he said. "We realize we can't treat long-term issues like diabetes or high blood pressure, though we can refer those patients. We also know what we do won't always be long-lasting. But we want to help people and to reach out to them in the name of the Lord." In addition to providing clinical care, they encourage people to become involved with the local church. By week's end, they had treated more than 2,700 people. Of those, more than 200 "came to trust the Lord," said Nippert.