By Shanta Kingston
“The best wisdom of the world is not shown by a banker or statesman, by an educator or a millionaire but by the humble soul-winner. All other labor is insignificant beside the supreme labor of winning souls,” Dr. John Rice, former editor of Sword of the Lord.
THERE’S nothing nobler than saving a soul from hell. Jesus said in Mark 8:36, 37, ‘For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’ The last few words of Jesus Christ on the earth are recorded as the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18. He said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Great Commission is not a command dished out to evangelists, apostles and pastors. It is the duty expected of every believer. Yet, most of us fail the Lord in this area. When it comes to sharing the Gospel or witnessing for Christ, we feel inadequate. Some of us have the desire but are ill-prepared to testify about Jesus’ love and grace when someone confronts us about our faith.
Anyone (housewives, engineers, pilots, scientists, students, teachers, bureaucrats, journalists, doctors etc) can win souls for Christ by sharing the Gospel within his own circle of influence. All are equal in Christ. Nevertheless, when medical professionals share the Gospel with others they have an advantage over others because patients, especially those in third-world countries like ours, repose a lot of faith in doctors. They are in a better position than anybody else to tell the ailing that they need to look up to Jesus Christ for healing – not just physical, mental and emotional but also of spiritual wellbeing. We spoke to a few medical professionals who use opportunities they get to witness Christ.
Dr.Soundaravalli Harris
She is Consultant-Radiation Oncologist. She now works at Bethany Clinic and the CSI Kalyani among other hospitals.
I was brought up in a God-fearing Christian family and was instructed to read the Bible during my childhood days. This gave me a great passion to serve the Lord Jesus. During my high school years, I read the autobiography of Dr. Savarirayan Jesudasan FRCS., who established a hospital at Thirupattur, north Arcot district of Tamil Nadu. He served the downtrodden and poor. Through his service many souls where brought to Christ. I was inspired by him and wanted to be like him. I worked hard, scored good marks and secured a medical seat. During my studies, the desire to be useful to the Lord increased. However, due to family circumstances I couldn’t go to north India as a missionary. I had to opt for working in Christian mission hospitals in south India. While I started my career at St Luke’s Hospital, Nazareth, I had a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. After this experience, I was able to do effective medical missionary work as never before. I know Christ is the only healer. Since cancer is almost always terminal, everyone should know the salvation of Christ. My husband, D. G. Harris Samuel, is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hindustan University, Chennai. He encourages me in all that I do, though he himself is busy with many projects. Both my husband and I are evangelists, we continue preaching God’s word at churches, retreats and cottage prayer meetings.
Dr Susan M
She is a senior retina consultant and director of HCAS.
I always wanted to help people ever since I read Florence Nightingale’s story in the fourth grade. As I read about the miracles that Jesus Christ performed particularly those that involved giving sight to the blind, I was moved. I wanted to give vision to the sightless like Him. However my passion and duty collided when my father, late K C G Verghese, the founder of Hindustan College of Arts and Science, wanted me to take over the administration of the college soon after my studies. But I firmly held onto my focus on ophthalmology. Eventually, I finished my specialized courses in ophthalmology as the university topper. I also gained a few years experience with full-time practice doing cataract surgeries. I don’t talk to them about the gospel at a particular time. There are times when everyone runs for security to someone. It may because of a disease, an accident or a necessity. But I have found when Jesus wants, rather chooses His sons and daughters there’s no stopping it. He creates a situation that would usher them ultimately into His fold. Even last year a mother and daughter were here. Both of them had met with a near fatal accident. The 7-year-old daughter was brought by her mother as she had loss of vision in one eye and also lost vision on the temporal half in the other eye. As we checked, we found out nothing could be done to improve the situation as the girl’s optic nerve had atrophied and was completely damaged after the accident. As Retina Specialist, I had to tell the truth to the parents who despaired. But I told her, there is still hope with the One who gave sight to the blind, as we read in the Bible. I told her about Christ’s purposes and how he was able to do the impossible if He willed and He could do it now too, to her daughter, if only she would trust Him. We do come across people like this and God gives the wisdom to bring them to Him. The mother is now a very dear friend of mine.
Dr. WMS Johnson
He is a professor at the pre-clinical Department of Anatomy, Sree Balaji Medical College, Chennai.
In institutions you have limitations. But I strongly believe that we believers are the fifth Gospel. People watch the way we live, the way we reflect Christ, more than what they listen. And they begin to trust what we tell them. So, our life’s testimony matters. When students approach me with their problems, I introduce Jesus as a Savior and the One who can help them in their life. I also emphasize life after death and remind them Jesus is not to be sought for solution to pressing problems alone but He should be sought in order to have eternal life. When I begin to treat my patients, I clearly tell them I am just a tool in His hand and God is using me to treat them for His glory. Many people who were without any hope have been cured not by my experience or intellect but by His stripes. When patients come back to thank me after they get well, I tell them, ‘it is because of the compassion of Jesus Christ, they have regained their health.’ In my opinion irrespective of gender, age and socio- economic standards, people are receptive to the Word of Christ only when they have problems. Apostle Paul says, I planted, Apollos watered, but it is God who gives the yield. People may suddenly turn to Christ or they may follow Him gradually over a period. But we need to show the qualities of Christ in our lives. That alone would draw them to Christ.
Rani Joseph
She is the manager of Shalom Medical Centre and Joseph Eye Clinic in Chennai. She is married to Dr. P C Joseph, an eye surgeon.
At Joseph Eye Clinic, this is an oft-repeated line. We tell our patients, we treat, but it is Jesus who heals. Recently, we operated on a 3 ½ year old boy. Just 15 minutes after the surgery started at 7 am, the boy stopped breathing. We tried everything but nothing happened. His pulse came to zero. We took the patient and kept him in a ventilator. Even after five hours, there was no improvement. We prayed fervently with the boy on the surgery table, and the Lord gave wisdom to Dr. Joseph to look into the heart of the patient. There it was, the phlegm, as an obstruction. When the phlegm was removed, the heart started beating and the surgery was completed. The little boy is a living testimony to what the Lord had done in his life and in our ministry. At the Shalom Medical Centre, where we help deliver babies and offer other gynecological solutions, we talk about Christ whenever we are able to and don’t miss any opportunity to share the gospel. We have morning devotions every day and a communion service once a month. On the fourth Saturday of every month we invite special speakers. I found it easy to talk about healing and Christ when we find women in distress. Those who come for delivery sometimes cry out in terrible pain, calling out all names of gods and they get dejected finding no comfort. At this time, I will go and tell them ‘to call on the name of Jesus’. I tell them there’s power in His name as the Bible says those who call on Him would be saved. In their distress, they are ready to call anyone who promises relief. Of course the relief comes when the baby is born and they are happy they called on the name of Jesus! Many of them come for regular checkups with babies. We talk to them about Christ, give them a Bible if they show interest. We also ask them to come for Saturday meetings or attend church service near their homes.
Dr. Preetha Arumaisingh
She is an obstetrician and gynecologist who works as a consultant at CSI Kalyani Hospital, Chennai.
As we are a Christian hospital, naturally we give priority to Christ in everything. Every morning, the hospital work starts with a prayer at the chapel inside the hospital compound. The chapel is open to all, all the time. We have special service on Sundays. We don’t go and preach to the patients or visitors. Dr. Rajkumari Sundar, the director of the hospital, is a staunch believer and she wants all her staff to show kindness and compassion like Jesus Christ. Stealing, corruption and unnecessary talk among the staff and workers are forbidden and not tolerated. Doctors and nurses pray by the bedside of a patient before operation and delivery. This gives confidence and courage both to the staff and the patients. I believe patients should see Christ through our actions.
