AIU’s Community Public Health Outreach Ministry 2024

Did you know the Asia-Pacific International University Public Health Ministry has been ministering to the community? Here is an informative yet inspiring piece about who they are, what they’ve been doing, and how you can get involved. 

Who are they? 

The Sabbath morning outreach was inspired by the Sabbath School lesson for the fourth quarter of last year. It was the fatigue of “just talking about it.” The students who joined this portion of Sabbath activities were those enrolled in the Community Public Health course, Natural Remedies, for the first Semester. We went out to do simple treatment for two daily workers on campus, and some neighbors also received treatment.

Currently, the outreach is to the home of a local Thai woman, where we are sharing scripture with her and teaching her how to pray. She shared that God had answered our prayers for her grandson this past Sabbath. The plan is to begin Bible studies.

What do they do?

Teacher Leong Jin Jee inspired the first initiative: At the beginning of the school year, the AIU Church Health Ministry team met every Sabbath afternoon to pray for direction. At the time, there was also a spate of motorbike accidents, and she suggested we go and pray with the students. We started doing so. Now, we get a list each Friday from the VPSA of all the dorm students who are sick or need prayer. We visit them to pray and administer natural remedies whenever possible.

Also, we have the Community Public Health Branch Sabbath School (CPHBSS) on Sabbath afternoons. This began in the second Semester of the last school year and grew out of the Planning and Evaluation course during the first Semester of the previous year. Here, the students are educated about high blood pressure and diabetes. We met on Sabbath, March 2, to evaluate what we have been doing up to this point and to see how we can be stronger in the soul-winning element of this outreach. We have decided to add stress management to the education. There has been funding for this from the AIU Church and one of the church organizations in the region.

When does it take place?

Sabbath morning is during Sabbath School time. We meet at the Science building, leave campus by 8:30, and return by 10:30 so that we can attend church. While driving a small car, we began discussing the Sabbath School lesson while traveling. This is a little more difficult in the van with the loud engine!

Sabbath afternoon for on-campus activities: We meet to pray at 2:30 or 3.00 in the auditorium, divide into our prayer/treatment groups, and go to the dormitories. We often stay busy until 5 p.m. in the early evening.

Sabbath afternoon for off-campus activities: (We are trying to return to the outreach activities begun by Praise Him Choir under the directorship of Edwardson and Nella.) We recently began visiting a lady living in Australia Village, where we provide natural remedies. This group will also join the prayer at 2.30 or 3.00.

What’s the purpose?

The Sabbath is a day for doing good. The purpose of the AIU church Health Ministry Team and the CPHBSS is to help us do the good God needs us to do: To be His hands and feet as we meet the needs of those on our campus and in the community. We want to share His love.

We hope that people who do not yet know their heavenly Father will be introduced to Him and that those of us who are co-workers for the Kingdom will experience the joy of self-sacrificing service.

Can I get involved?

All are welcome; you do not have to be a Community Public Health or Nursing student. As you can see, this ministry has many moving parts, and more people are needed, especially Thai-speaking folk. Please join us.

Ultimately, we would like to expand to be able to visit the community on days other than Sabbath. However, we will keep taking small steps toward increasing our impact on the Muak Lek/Pak Chong community—all for the glory of God.

By: Dr. Maxine Newell