CBF signs partnership with Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship

By Lance Wallace

CBF Communications

PINE MOUNTAIN, Ga. - The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF) and Baptist Medical/Dental Fellowship (BMDF) announced the renewal of a partnership April 2 during the 27th annual BMDF meeting in Pine Mountain, Ga. The agreement expands the existing partnership to include establishing medical/dental clinics in Gambia, providing medical/dental care in impoverished rural counties in the United States and working together in the appointment of healthcare missionaries.

CBF Coordinator Daniel Vestal and BMDF Executive Director James Williams signed the six-point partnership agreement prior to Vestal's address on April 2. The BMDF Executive Committee approved the agreement April 1. The partnership strengthens the link between the two fellowships in their shared commitment to meeting the needs of the world's most neglected.

"We have admired and supported the good work of BMDF through the years," Vestal said. "The results of our past projects together show clearly that God can do more through us working together. This partnership to medical and dental missions work is a powerful way for us to live out our vision of being the presence of Christ in the world."

CBF and BMDF have partnered on specific projects, such as the purchase and distribution of medicine and medical supplies in North Korea. The new covenant formalizes the connection with the aim of increasing involvement of CBF churches in medical/dental missions opportunities.

The covenant specifically addresses six areas:

1. Creating a congregationally-based medical/dental clinic network and co-hosting a national conference in the next three years to bring attention to health care missions.

2. Hosting medical/dental clinics in Gambia in support of the Gambian Baptist Union. The goals are to host one in 2005, two in 2006 and three in 2007.

3. Providing medical/dental care in poor rural counties in the United States. An outgrowth of Partners in Hope, CBF's rural poverty initiative, the joint effort calls for BMDF to work collaboratively in Perry County, Ala., and in Frankfort, Ky., with CBF to establish long-term, continuous health care ministry.

4. Meeting medical and dental volunteer needs globally. BMDF would help recruit volunteers for CBF health care missions projects, and CBF would help recruit members from among CBF-affiliated churches to join BMDF.

5. Developing a medical missions mentoring program for young professionals. The goal is to impart the vision of sharing gifts and talents in the name of Christ throughout the world to a new generation of health care professionals.

6. BMDF will be willing to assist CBF in the possible appointment of a full-time health care missionary who relates to both organizations. The position would focus on work among the most neglected, in keeping with CBF Global Missions strategy.

Based in Memphis, Tenn., BMDF is a fellowship of both Baptist and other Christian health care professionals who give their time and expertise to meet health care needs and share the gospel of Jesus Christ around the world.