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Holistic Mission

We often talk about holistic mission. What does that mean? It's about mission to the whole person not just their 'soul' (inner being). There's nothing unspiritual about meeting someone's basic needs for food, clothing and so on. In fact we encouraged to do so.

...learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. Isaiah 1:17 ESV
We also have Jesus' example to follow:

Then people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. Luke 8:35 ESV
Both his physical and spiritual needs had been met by Jesus.

Lastly, you might ask how this works in  mission. Those working within a community are often told of needs within that community. How can these be met?

Well, those with medical training can use those skills. Perhaps one of a couple is trained as a doctor, nurse, or midwife? Even some SIL members have that kind of background.

Also we can pray for the sick, make medicine available, or call a medic.

On top of this, some aspects of mission include development work such as education, literacy and providing clean water or sanitation. Or mission workers help local people write booklets to do with preventative medicine. In some parts of the majority world, for instance, HIV/Aids is an issue, and training materials for local workshops help people learn how to avoid contracting or passing on HIV. The Bible can be used to show how marital fidelity is highly valued in biblical communities, and commanded by God, as well as the usual advice on use of prophylactics etc.

SIL is involved in many such activities: education, literacy, trauma healing workshops, HIV/Aids workshops, prayer for the sick, and so on. Our aim is to meet felt needs, not just spiritual, but physical too.

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