That plea from former colleagues kept ringing in the hearts of missionary doctors and others who had returned to the United States after serving overseas. Eventually it resulted in the formation of Global Health Ministries.

Following the example of Jesus, who healed the sick as a part of his ministry, mission organizations for generations included health care as they brought the gospel to people overseas.

This ministry, like all church work, expanded greatly in the years following World War II and led to significant advances. In Papua New Guinea, high priority was given to rebuilding hospitals destroyed in the war. New work in Ethiopia included construction of a hospital. In Madagascar, the Manambaro Hospital became known throughout the island for its excellent service and inspired plans to establish a similar hospital at Ejeda. The large Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Center in Tanzania was opened in 1971, a cooperative undertaking by several European and American churches and the government.

But gradually the impetus for this work began to weaken. Newly independent nations in Africa started taking control of mission schools and hospitals, and some church people felt this work was no longer a responsibility of churches. At home and overseas, other concerns such as evangelism, education, leadership training and social problems were given higher priority. At the same time contributions leveled off and medical work became more expensive. The number of candidates for mission work also declined and overseas governments at times discouraged missionaries from coming. Career mission doctors were especially hard to recruit and soon only one or two were left in a country.

Although discussions continued as to whether or to what extent medical work should be a part of the mission endeavor, for a variety of reasons no significant efforts were made to reverse the downward trend.

Not surprisingly, the lack of personnel and funds began to affect the medical work. Expansion of this ministry was out of the question. Worn out equipment could not be replaced. Increasing costs limited the purchase of medicines.

Overseas doctors reported their situation to friends in the United States. "We can't get the supplies we need," wrote one. "When we make a request for equipment replacements and for extra supplies, we are told, "There is no money."

Another wrote: "We don't have the personnel to do our work. We are given opportunities to go into unreached areas with the gospel message to open new medical work but we cannot get more help and finances to do it. What's more, when one of us goes home on furlough we don't know if there will be enough money to send us back out here."

"We are trying to do a first rate job with inferior and worn out equipment. We are still doing surgery with the same instruments you had 20 years ago. Sometimes I try to clamp a bleeding artery with an instrument and it just falls off. I refuse any longer to blame tissue slipping on my technique!"

These letters touched the hearts of many who had worked overseas. They knew firsthand the needs and the opportunities mission doctors faced. They also saw around them the wealth of the United States and the waste of precisely the materials that were so urgently needed elsewhere.

The Question Is Raised

The beginning of a solution took place at the Brackenhurst Conference Center in Limuru, Kenya, in February 1986, at a continuing education conference sponsored by the Christian Medical Society. Doctors and dentists from the American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church in America were in attendance: Wallace McKenzie, Stanley Quanbeck, John Toso, Mark Monson and John Fredell. At the tea breaks between lectures they shared their frustrations over rundown facilities, dwindling contributions from sending churches and the low purchasing power of Third World currencies. They were joined by Dr. V. Birch Rambo who told how Presbyterians, facing the same problems, had formed the Medical Benevolence Foundation to give them support. Perhaps Lutherans could do the same?

The group asked John Toso to draft a letter to friends and supporters in the United States, explaining the problems they faced and asking for reactions to forming a "Third World Medical Foundation." His letter stated: "While our overseas hospitals can be expected to be financially solvent for day to day running expenses, we cannot expect them to absorb the costs of major equipment and capital expenditures.... Thus we work in an increasingly demoralizing situation-aging physical plants, outdated or defunct equipment, and overworked staff.... We are in the planning stages of formulating a nonprofit organization for our joint Lutheran medical/dental missions. We ask you, our supporters, for advice and suggestions.... Our hope is that in cooperation with our respective church mission boards, this organization may support and assist our overseas Lutheran churches in realizing the full potential of Christ's healing ministry in our midst."

Shortly thereafter, Leonard and Agnes Akland wrote to the Division for World Mission and Inter-church Cooperation of the American Lutheran Church, asking what could be done to support overseas health ministries. One possibility they had in mind was a medical representative on the mission staff. In response, mission director Mark Thomsen invited them to meet with staff members and other interested persons to discuss the matter. A meeting was subsequently held on August 7 in Minneapolis. One staff person thought it important enough to interrupt his vacation and drive for 5 1/2 hours to attend. The group concluded that for financial reasons the new church being formed by the ALC and LCA would not be able to initiate any action. However, they agreed the matter should be pursued and Dr. Akland was asked to invite others to another meeting. Dr. Keith McCaffety, director of the Presbyterian Medical Benevolence Foundation, was contacted and offered to help.

Another meeting was held on December 7, 1986, in Minneapolis. Medical interests were represented by the Aklands, Neil Nickerson, Tim Rietz, Dan Rose and Peter Dyrud. From the mission staff were Director Thomsen, Lowell Hesterman, Philip Jacobson and Jack Reents. It was agreed that those concerned should consider forming a nonprofit organization separate from the church which could raise and administer its own funds. A larger group should be convened to examine this proposal Pastor Hesterman was assigned to help coordinate this effort.

Consequently 49 people gathered at the Holiday Inn in Bloomington, MN on January 17, 1987 to see what could be done. It had been agreed that any organization that resulted should not be related to a specific Lutheran church but should offer support to any Lutheran group that sponsored medical work overseas. Representatives were present from the ALC, LCA, World Mission Prayer League, Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, and Partners in Mission. Dr. McCaffety was present and described the operation of the Presbyterian support group, which raised more than a million dollars annually, in addition to supplies and equipment, to support Presbyterian hospitals.

The Decision Is Made

The group voted overwhelmingly to establish an organization similar to the Presbyterians. They recognized that there were tremendous health needs in areas where Lutherans had mission responsibility. They also were convinced that there were large untapped resources in the United States that could be directed to health care work. Many felt that the Lutheran medical community had never been seriously challenged to use its resources for health care work in developing countries. An offering of over $9000 was received to cover some of the startup costs of forming an organization.

The purpose of the proposed organization was outlined in general terms. It was not to be just another church organization. Nor was it to set mission policy or to be a sending agency for workers. Rather it would be an arm of support for existing agencies, enabling them to carry out their work more fully by providing additional funds for overseas Lutheran health care projects, gathering and shipping medical supplies and equipment, aiding in recruitment of long and short term health care workers, and promoting interest in health care ministries in congregations. It was agreed to limit work to Lutheran projects but to invite support from any interested parties.

The ALC mission office provided $2000 for legal services to get the organization properly incorporated. Claire Stolee spent many hours with an attorney justifying or rewording parts of applications. The first year he had to appear quarterly at the Minnesota Attorney General's office to explain why he was delinquent in filing workmen's compensation papers. As it turned out, they had two files on the organization and the clerk who filled the incoming papers would put them in one file, and the agent responsible for follow-up looked in the other and never found anything. It took all year to get that straightened out and to stop the delivery of letters with bright red ink on the outside stating that Claire was in violation of state law. "I often wondered what the mailman thought," he says, "not to mention my kids." Stolee was also instrumental in gaining tax exemption for the organization.

Global Health Ministries got a significant jump start because of a project that had been started by Claire and Sandy Stolee. After returning from missionary service in Madagascar, they offered to secure parts and equipment and other materials for the medical work directed by Dr. Stan Quanbeck. They gathered the materials requested and sent them with people traveling to Madagascar. As their work became known, many people offered to help. Soon they were sending equipment obtained from hospitals and pharmaceutical companies in foot lockers, barrels and crates as accompanied baggage; then they graduated to sea containers. The work of the Stolees and volunteers showed that such work was feasible and valuable. While continuing their aid to Madagascar, they also joined in the ministry of GHM .

An Office Is Established

For the first couple of years GHM and the Madagascar group (SALFA - the health department of the Malagasy Lutheran Church) shared office space in a corner of the Stolee basement, and 4401 Estate Drive was the official address. All mailings and financial activities were done on an Apple IIC and an old 3M copier. Then Stolee located space for his Madagascar activities at the recently closed Golden Valley Lutheran College. This could also be used by what was now called the Global Health Ministries Foundation. The term "foundation" was dropped as it did not accurately reflect the function of the organization.

Until an executive director could be found, Dr. Akland served as chief executive officer and the mission division of the ALC provided support services. Pastor Hesterman had indicated he would retire when the ALC no longer existed. Akland asked him if he would be the new group's executive. Hesterman said he would consider it if officially invited and if he could serve on a part time basis without salary. This was agreed to and he assumed the role in late 1987.

At this time the ALC offices were in the process of moving to the new church headquarters in Chicago, so many office supplies were scrounged from there. Hesterman raided discard bins at the ALC offices to salvage anything of use or arranged to purchase some items. Early in 1988 he moved his center of activity to the GVLC campus.

One story from those days was when Bud and Claire Hesterman and Claire Stolee were moving a metal credenza from the ALC offices to Golden Valley. As they struggled around the cubicles to the elevator, Bud called out, "Claire, let go of the credenza and get the elevator." It didn't take him long to realize that "Claire" meant two-thirds of the lifters, leaving him with 100% of the load.

A steering committee was named to direct the work. It included Leonard Akland as chair, Robert Mandsager, Claire Stolee, Marcy Ditmanson, and Dan Rose. To give wider representation, James Stull, Judy Dyntd and Nancy Hofer were added. These became the first board of directors.

An additional eight persons were added to the board at a meeting in February 1988: Duane Ausmus, Gerald Currens, Neil Nickerson, Denis Radefeld, Bonnie Rietz, David Rokke, William Scott and Valborg Tollefsrud. From the beginning the custom was established that board members would pay all their own expenses for meetings, including travel, lodging and meals.

The employment of Alice Loddigs as a part time secretary enabled greater progress in organization. Her office skills and experience working with the ALC proved very valuable. Years later she became the full time administrative assistant. Among early duties were to complete legal registrations, develop a list of supporters, and contact overseas missionaries to determine their needs.

When the first newsletter was sent out, the Hestermans and Alice Loddigs had to work hard to come up with a list of 200 people so that the mailing would qualify for bulk rates. By the end of the year the mailing list had increased to 600. GHM operated on a shoestring budget. Purchase of two $16 fans for the un-airconditioned building was a serious expenditure. Criteria developed for undertaking projects required that projects be requested from Lutheran medical work overseas and be approved by sponsoring mission agencies.

GHMF approved 17 projects for funding in 1988 and sent aid to Cameroon, India, Liberia, Madagascar, Namibia, the Philippines and Tanzania. Promotion of health care concerns in congregations was accomplished by participation in the ELCA's Global Mission Events as well as by having open meetings. GHMF also contributed to the mission effort by developing a 56-page document on missionary health concerns for the ELCA. Conferences open to the public were held in February and midsummer when missionaries told of the progress in health ministries.

A low point came in the fall of 1988. One month not a single gift was received. In October the executive committee wondered whether their efforts should be abandoned. They decided to make an appeal for gifts in the remainder of the year. The appeal met with a generous response. During the year 300 contributors gave $11,822.54 for specific projects and an additional $27,442.01 in undesignated gifts. Total income for the year was $42,474.78. After that there was no further conversation about disbanding.

A logo was needed for use in publicity materials. Several symbols incorporating religious and medical symbols were considered before the present logo was accepted. Hesterman explains, "It reminds Christians that they stand before God with empty hands. Through grace God has turned those empty hands into instruments of service. The cross within the hands represents Jesus' earthly ministry of healing that the church is called on to continue. The cross overshadowing the world represents God's love for the whole world, which we are called to serve."

Len Akland interprets the significance of the name. "We call ourselves 'global' because we want to be involved anywhere in the world to assist Lutheran missionaries and not just one body, but all Lutheran medical missionaries. We call ourselves 'health' because that is our mission. We follow in the footsteps of Jesus our Great Physician. He felt that healing the body was so important that he probably spent more time healing than in actual preaching. He was the embodiment of the saying: 'What you do speaks so loudly that I can't hear what you say.' Therefore we pray that we can be his hands, working to bring Christ to the nations through healing. We are 'ministry'. We are not just another social organization that cares. We want to be a ministry of Jesus Christ to all corners of the earth." The "old timers" often emphasized in the early days that if all we did was not for the spreading of the Gospel, our organization was not needed.

A third group of eight members were elected to the board in 1989 to bring it to its present total of 24. They were Kenneth DeFor, Fern Gudmestad, Ruth Lunde, A. Herbert Monson, Ronald Prasek, Ann Rabie, Curtis Stolee and John Toso.

GHM continued its relationships with national bodies and made provision for those agencies to have a representative on the board of directors.

In 1989 Conrad S. Braaten was employed as a part time consultant for promotion. He contacted individuals, pastors and congregations in southwestern and midwest United States to acquaint them with GHMF.

The offices at Golden Valley Lutheran College were known to be temporary as the property was about to change hands. New quarters including warehouse and office space could not be located so two small offices were rented from the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA at 112 West Franklin Ave. in Minneapolis. As the number of volunteers increased, one of the office workers observed that they bumped "more than elbows" as they carried out their duties. Mini-storage units were rented to hold donated supplies and equipment until they could be shipped overseas.

During 1989 a video cassette was developed to help tell the story of GHMF. The mailing list increased from 600 to 1600 and cash income tripled to $148,767.36.

Time For A Full-Time Director

Because of the growth of the program, Pastor Hesterman told the board in 1989 that it was time to have a full-time executive director. A search committee was formed and Kenneth Grosch, former missionary in Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia, was called as the first full-time director beginning January 1, 1990. He and Ms. Loddigs remained the only salaried workers. All other work -- gathering supplies, taking care of finances, office activities, publicity and preparing goods for shipment -- is done by volunteers.

As Len Akland reviews the past, he looks to the future: "My dream for the future of Global Health Ministries sees an organization growing in faith, hope and love. Faith in God, knowing that the Holy Spirit will guide us in the way He wants us to go. Hope in the future as we put our trust in Jesus Christ. Love to God and love in action to our brothers and sisters around the world: the poor, the lost, the sick, the oppressed and the dying whom God loved so much that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him would not perish but have eternal life."

Epilog

Global Health Ministries has continued to grow steadily through the years. Increasing emphasis has been given to primary health care in rural areas, under the leadership of local persons, and in providing training for doctors, nurses and other health care workers. Ken Grosch has served as Executive Director since 1990. Alice Loddigs continued as Administrative Assistant until 1997.

But GHM depends on hundreds of volunteers to carry out its ministry. Volunteers collect medical supplies, transport them to the central warehouse, sort and recondition equipment and other materials and pack them in containers for shipment overseas. Others maintain the building, and assist in administrative functions, taking care of correspondence, keeping records and sending out mailings. Still others plan conferences, conduct workshops, sponsor meetings, show displays, develop materials, serve on committees and serve in countless other ways.

The work of GHM received a significant boost at the end of 1995 when a warehouse and office building was purchased in Fridley, MN. The new quarters provide room to store and check supplies, separated according to the needs of various localities, and pack them for shipment without having to work in the rain or in below zero temperatures. The new building also allows adequate space for an increasing number of volunteers in the office.

The mailing list for Global Health, the newsletter, has increased from less than 1,000 to about 10,000. Contributions in kind and in cash have increased every year. Cash income in 1990 was less than $150,000. In 1996 it was nearly $750,000. Groups of individuals and congregations have banded together to support particular projects.

Containers have been sent to Bangladesh, Cameroon, Liberia, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Funds for special projects have gone to Brazil, Central African Republic, Chile, India, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria and Taiwan.

The lives of countless individuals throughout the world continue to be benefited by the efforts of GHM supporters, who proclaim the love of Christ through this ministry.

Global Health Ministries is a grass roots network of persons concerned with Lutheran health care work in other countries. GHM's primary thrust is:

Gathering and providing funds for special health related projects overseas, approved according to a funding criteria.
Recycling of medical supplies and equipment normally discarded in this country for use by overseas hospitals and clinics.
Recruiting, on behalf of Lutheran sending agencies, medical personnel for overseas needs.

GHM also serves the Lutheran church and synods as a consultant on health care mission issues and as interpreters for the continuing need for missions.

Please contact Global Health Ministries for more information on opportunities to become involved in the United States or overseas.