Conference 2006

“The Right Arm: The Right Approach, Right Now” was the theme of this year's medical evangelism conference sponsored by the Adventist Medical Evangelism Network (AMEN). The conference was held in San Diego, California September 21-24, 2006. Over 220 medical professionals and students dedicated to medical evangelism attended the conference. The conference focused on the integration of the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual dimensions of patient care.

The four-day event featured inspirational speakers Don Mackintosh, coordinator of Amazing Facts' College of Evangelism, and Ted Wilson & Mark Finley, General Conference Vice-Presidents alongside professional speakers such as Lorayne Barton, MD, Rodney Willey, DDS, Naren James, MD, Zeno Charles-Marcel, MD and many more.

One of AMEN's goals is to mentor medical and dental students to be effective medical evangelists. Thirty medical and dental students attended the conference to discover how to share Christ through their profession. Pastor Finley commented, “It was a thrill to see how many young medical professionals are anxious to share Christ through their profession. Their dedication inspired me!”

“AMEN is an idea that was long overdue!” writes Jason Shives, LLU medical student, “With all the signs around us that God is coming back, now more than ever does the gospel need to go to the world, and we need to be especially using the ‘Right Arm’ of that gospel.” Another medical student, Dipika Pandit, writes…“It was like being in a gold mine. I was surrounded by so many resources, God-fearing mentors, and opportunities that I as a medical student could use in the future. Most importantly, it channeled my personal life to focus on my relationship with God. Thank you, AMEN.”

Sharon Robberson, assistant director of ASI writes, “I was delighted to attend the AMEN conference and see so many ASI members taking the motto of Sharing Christ in the Marketplace with such devotion and enthusiasm! Listening to testimonies of the medical professionals and how God is using them to witness to others about health and spiritual healing. I can't wait to see what else they will accomplish as they have their sites set on the Master Physician using them to reach people for Him.”

The AMEN organization began in 2004 with a small group of Seventh-day Adventist physicians and dentists committed to sharing Christ through their practice. In 2 short years, its annual conference has grown to over 200 medical professionals and students. AMEN is open to SDA physicians/dentists and students who long for innovative ways to share the gospel in a non-threatening way in their practices. One of AMEN's primary goals is to provide busy physicians and dentists evangelistic opportunities and short-term mission service.

Manuel Alva, a gastroenterologist from Hinsdale and AMEN member shared his enthusiasm for AMEN, “If you need inspiration and a breath of fresh air in your practice, or if you are in danger of burnout or cynicism, try the AMEN conference next year in Florida...” Next year's conference will be held August 31 – September 2, 2007 at Mission Inn Resort in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida. For more information about AMEN visit www.amensda.org or call (423) 826-4025.