Sale of Hospital Enables HCJB Global to Launch New Mobile Clinic
HCJB Global, an evangelical missionary organization integrating broadcast media and healthcare ministries, has announced the sale of Hospital Vozandes in Quito, Ecuador, paving the way for new healthcare ministries worldwide.
The new mobile clinic model for HCJB Global will take Christ-centered healthcare to those who need it most in rural, remote, and poverty-stricken areas where people have not yet heard the gospel.
“Today we celebrate the physical and spiritual healing experienced by hundreds of thousands at Hospital Vozandes over the past 58 years,” said Wayne Pederson, president and CEO of HCJB Global. “We especially praise God for the multiplied ministry of hundreds of doctors and hospital personnel who were trained in Christ-centered healthcare here and who are now serving multitudes around the world.”
In keeping with its core missiology, the hospital ministry filled the void of healthcare in Ecuador in 1955 with quality care and Christ-centered values. Through the years as the Ecuadorian government has provided more stable healthcare, the Hospital Vozandes ministry transitioned to the leadership of highly skilled and responsible nationals who are now able to minister without outside help. Today all hospital positions are filled by Latinos who combine knowledge of Ecuadorian culture with Christian values.
“Just as HCJB Global transitioned itself from shortwave radio in a single location in Quito and planted over 400 Christian FM stations worldwide, the sale of the hospital enables us to be more nimble and global in spreading healthcare resources through opening doors in Africa, Haiti, Eastern Europe and Nepal,” said Pederson.
These resources will be strategically placed for service in some of the least-reached areas of the world where less than two percent of the population know Christ as Lord. Local communities will receive the gospel via mobile clinics and media as HCJB Global continues its mission to be the hands and voice of Christ.
HCJB Global Hands includes a growing array of healthcare and community development ministries, working with partners to make healthcare accessible to needy people via clinics, mobile medical ministries, clean water projects and training for rural healthcare workers.
The sale of Hospital Vozandes was led by a task force, administered through an independent broker in Ecuador and approved by HCJB Global’s board of trustees. Throughout the process, special consideration was given to maintaining the Christ-centered ministry of the hospital while allowing the mission to cover all legal and financial obligations.
The new parent company, Ginsberg Ecuador, S.A., has pledged to continue the hospital’s current Christian philosophy and values, including its chaplaincy services, medical education and assistance to the poor. An agreement was reached between HCJB Global and the new owners allowing foreign missionaries to continue to help at the hospital.
HCJB Global will maintain ownership and management of the hospital through a transition period until 30 June 2014.
“This is not about the sale of an asset. It’s about taking what we’ve learned in Latin America to the hard-to-reach places of the world,” said Pederson. “This shift will enable less management of property and more ministry to needy people. It’s about being more mobile and far-reaching to those who have yet to experience the loving hands of Jesus.”
For 80 years the passion of HCJB Global (www.hcjbglobal.org) has been to make disciples of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education, and working with partners around the world, HCJB Global has ministries in more than 100 countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects. Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.
(Source: Christian Newswire)
