Preach and Heal, A Biblical Model for Missions

by Charles Fielding

Mission history has been replete with an unfortunate tension between evangelism and social ministry. Obviously there have been those who have sought to proclaim the life-transforming message of the Gospel while ignoring the suffering and physical needs of their listeners. Likewise, there have been those who confined their witness to the good works they might do while never offering the recipients spiritual hope. Doctoring and church planting - Jesus practiced both. Preach and Heal explores the ideology and practical ways for balanced ministry so that you can effectively reach the lost.

Genres: Christian, Theology, Nonfiction

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2006

Reviews

[Bec R · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I was expecting! Parts 1 and 2 were insightful and easy to read. I skipped most of part 3 because it’s not applicable to my situation.

[Greg D · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical book. Embraces the concept that the Gospel addresses both the eternal and present needs of people and transforms their entire being, both the spiritual and the physical. The first half of the book talks about the preaching, primarily relating to church-planting methodology using Church Planting Movement (CPM) principals. Principals that I personally use in our own mission to the Roma of Albania. The second half of the book provides a dozen or so ideas for medical type of access ministries. Medical related ministries that will enable a missionary, a team, or local church to enter into a country and their unreached communities.

Fielding goes into much greater detail on how to implement both CPM principals and the various health related access ministries. I particularly was interested in the community development aspect and will likely implement many of the strategies outlined in this book. I highly recommend this book to missionaries either before they hit the field, or shortly after targeting a specific Unreached People Group (UPG).

[Merinda Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book was written in 2008, I still find it applicable and pragmatic for 2024. The first half of this book is dedicated to interweaving the need for every “apostolic worker” to be both a preacher and healer. The strategy he outlines follows the medical ABC’s:

Access unreached areas
Behind closed doors
Care for the needy
D [make] disciples
Empower the church

“No amount of persecution or malevolent spiritual force can dissuade the church of authentic disciples from multiplying.” (p.79)

Fielding inspires boldness both through instruction to not be hesitant to turn the conversation on a dime to the gospel after meeting their physical and emotional needs. His testimonies and creativity to bring the Truth into I reached areas is absolutely scrappy and at the same time strategic. It is empowering to read this manual written by someone who is a true entrepreneur of the Kingdom. I’m encouraged alongside him that the Church can spread like wildfire given the Holy Spirit, strategies, and willingness of apostolic workers like us to disvalue comfort over what He asks of us.

[Pen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Don’t allow yourself to fall in love with, or become obligated to, the tool. We must be in love with and obligated to the harvest, because this is what our Lord cares about.”

This book is a great overview of overseas work, specifically with the health-related fields in mind. He advocates for combining both preaching and healing to really minister well. After laying a foundation of core principles, he goes through examples of potential ministries and how they would look it real life. Very helpful to see these ideas and how they play out in various scenarios.

For fans of One Gospel for All Nations and The Rise and Fall of Movements

[Tim Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a basic and clear tool for anyone interested in long-term medical / health care related missions for unreached or unengaged people groups. It's by no means completely comprehensive, and is at most a starting point, but for how short of a book it is, it has a good amount of useful information.

[Michelle West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for anyone who is living among peoples in developing countries and do not know the gospel. It has some foundational ideas of entering a community and disciple making, all while emphasizing the importance of sharing truth and caring for the needs of people.

[David Roshto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

It was a required read by the IMB, but it was still good information. Some of it was very good.

[Josiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book that will keep me thinking for a long time. "The preach and heal strategy is a two-handled plow." Basically, Fielding (himself a medical doctor), puts forth some steps based around different health issues that he calls his ABCs of health strategies, which includes entering a community, making disciples, and empowering the local church. This book is written especially for those interested in using health strategies (whether or not you are trained in this field makes little difference according to Fielding) for engaging unreached communities to hear the gospel of Christ. I will definitely return to this book in the future.

[Scott Ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book in that it shows that as followers of Christ we should be both looking to plant churches/spread the Gospel but also to transform the communities that these churches are in. It gives the local church credibility in that they are there to assit the community grow in this world and the next.



Fielding's experiences and stories add a ton to the book.



The best part is that while cp theory is there a large part of the book is dedicated to very pratical ideas that people with or without health training can implement.

[Kari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absoultely amazing book. Cannot recommend it highly enough.

I have made a pact with myself to re-read this book once every two years to be sure I remember the invaluable information and advice.

See you again in two years, P & H!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY insightful book. It is simple and yet makes you think how disciples are made. The disciples got up and followed Christ. They didn't have a class to be trained. I'm glad to have read this at the time our church has the opportunity to be "Matthews" to people who may not know Christ.

[Audrey Ware]

I've read this book 3 times now! I recommend it to all those who are thinking God may be calling them to medical missions. It's the best resource I know of to point people to in helping them understand how meeting physical needs and disciple making/ church planting are interconnected.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent discussion on the reason that Christians must combine mercy/physical needs work with evangelism. Dr. Fielding then gives practical models for doing just that.