What is CompasionLink?

I bet some of you are wondering what CompassionLink is and why you should care.

Here's the gist. CompassionLink is a ministry founded in 2015, which combined several divisions of services within the Assemblies of God to better serve their international communities. Here's the description from their web page:

"CompassionLink, developed to serve a hurting world, is a Christ-centered, development-based approach to helping people help themselves. Our ministry philosophy is that every person has value, dignity, and potential, no matter his or her life situation. Our workers are committed to “walking with” rather than “doing for” a needy person or community. During that journey together, our team members take every opportunity to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

Our team enters into relationships with needy persons, communities, and national churches by invitation of missionaries in all regions of the world. Depending upon an assessment that determines assets, needs, and the best means of serving the targeted area, we offer training in community health evangelism, health education, medical seminars, medical/dental/optical services, disaster relief training, post-crisis pastoral care, training in community development and appropriate technology, and training and services for ministry to those with disabilities."

HealthCare Ministries (HCM) is the international health outreach of the Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM). HCM provides unique opportunities for health professionals to partner with AG missionaries to impact people's lives physically and spiritually.

Every year for many years, HCM partners with Evangel University nursing and pre-medical students (physician, physician assistant, ophthalmology, pharmacy, etc) for a medical trip during Spring break or after graduation in May. I served on a trip to Calcutta, India during my last Spring break in college, March 2010, and it drastically made an impact on my life then and my future life plans. But that's a story for another post. I've always wanted to "pay it forward" so to speak and return on this student trip, this time as a health professional. And now this goal is becoming a reality!