Doing the right thing by helping others is one of the lessons we can learn from The Ministry of Healing. As digital missionaries, we should not look at people as our target market and use our market strategy on them. We ought to love them the way Jesus did; in this way, we can earn their trust. Caring for others is His call to action for us.
This week, Sam’s Book Club explores The Ministry of Healing by Ellen White, an author and Adventist leader. This book shares the principles of Jesus’ love for humankind and His desire for all of us to live healthy and meaningful lives.
Pastor Sam Neves, the Associate Director of Communications at the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s global headquarters, explains Christ’s method of reaching out. It will empower digital evangelism leaders around the world to do the same while aiming for personal development.
The Life of Ellen White: A Historical Perspective
Ellen White was a prolific writer during the mid-1800s until the early 1900s. She is known for her books and publications spanning many areas of interest in the Christian life. She later focused on how healthy living is a reflection of our love for Jesus and aids us in taking care of others around us. Towards the end of her ministry, she was concerned with alleviating the pain of others. Her book The Ministry of Healing tells us how Jesus wants to ease the suffering of every one of us.
Caring for Others: How Jesus did it
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me’.” – The Ministry of Healing, p. 143.
The quote captures a good representation of the book. It’s always about reaching people where they are. His disciples were different from each other, yet they came because Jesus knew how to call them. With His gentleness and patience, He gave individual attention to many.
The Power Of Our Decisions
The book also talks about what happens everywhere– something we all have in common: struggles. Problems vary between communities, societies and households. For example, when we talk about our health, not everyone enjoys the same privileges.
But how do we reach those who are needy and in pain? Here, decisions should be made. It could be educating people to help them thrive but also genuinely caring about them to live life to the fullest.
The Best Marketing Strategy
Companies should consider their customers; it is a guaranteed way to succeed. As digital evangelists, we should spend time and experience life with people. Learning and being with them changes everything.
“People get it when they get it.” Pastor Sam shares a story about a company that underwent a massive shift in their advertising campaign. Rather than using the slogan ‘dirt is wrong’, they turned it around to ‘dirt is good’, after focussing on the belief that children’s play activities should include getting messy which is necessary for developmental psychology.
Connection Matters
Insights from ‘doing’ life with people together can win their confidence. It’s hard in this time of the pandemic, but Pastor Sam suggests that we should endeavor to engage with these people on Social Media to find out their interests– we can share with them the things they like.
Jesus sympathized with people and despite being limited as a man, He still did His best to help others.
A Call for Digital Missionaries
When we are called and chosen, the change that results in our life comes from following. It means giving up some things and living for the mission. Salvation is free, but it will cost you everything.
Jesus showed respect to everyone regardless of who they were. In everything we do, God asks us to show humility as we represent Him as digital missionaries, ministering to people wherever they are.