The Open Door

Every year about this time the Healthcare Ministry Foundation Board meets to review grant applications that have been submitted for awarding in February. Frank Upchurch, President and CEO, and his outstanding staff spend many hours reviewing the applications in preparation for this very important board meeting.

We have just completed our meeting. What a thrill it has been since 2005 to see the incredible expansion of ministry for Georgia Baptists through this foundation. The funds held by the foundation came from the sale of hospital facilities that were losing a remarkable amount of money annually due to the extreme costs involved in operating a stand-alone health system.

I will never forget the agonizing and prayerful meetings of the board of directors as we sought the leadership of the Lord regarding this ministry of healing conducted by Georgia Baptists for 100 years. It was believed then, and, I might add, proven now, that this decision would actually expand our ministry of healing.

At our recent meeting, Frank Upchurch distributed a report titled “2005-2007 Grant Impact Analysis” that gave a thorough report of this ministry for the three years.

I was so encouraged and inspired by this report that I wanted you to see it. Frank will be reporting these numbers to the Convention when we hold our annual meeting at First Jonesboro in November.

Please pay particular attention to the number of lives affected, the babies who were saved, and the number of persons who received Christ through these ministries. Having observed very closely the healthcare ministry when we had hospitals, I can assure Georgia Baptists that nothing even close to this magnitude occurred during those years. The hospitals were effective in their ministry, but the spiritual impact of this ministry over the past three years is remarkable!

There is but one appropriate response. To God be the glory! Great things He has done!