“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works?”
James 2:14

Since James wrote these words, Christians have expressed their faith through compassionate care for the sick. It has been a central component of our ministry in Nazareth for 165 years.

Fiona Thomson from our head office in Edinburgh and SERVE Coordinator, Majdoleen Nawatha, recently joined the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF) UK national conference to share our story.

However, they came away reminded that the Nazareth Trust is a global movement that has served the people of Nazareth but has in turn, been profoundly shaped by its encounter with them. God has used the Trust to shape the lives and careers of many Christian medics over several decades—Christian medics who have gone on to bear witness through the medical profession at home and abroad.

“I met someone who was born in Nazareth in 1944,” said Majdoleen. “We sat talking about the hospital for an hour, and it turned out his dad was a trustee.

“I opened up the history page online, and he could identify almost everyone in the pictures.

“It felt so special interacting with him since he knows a lot about our organisation, an organisation that has been there for a long time.”

In addition, various Christian medics recounted their elective in Nazareth, told stories of how they met their spouse there, and some shared their experiences of participating in the Trust’s ‘Jesus Trails’.

Fiona noted the strong bond many Christian medics felt with Nazareth after volunteering with SERVE at the hospital or village and how it was significant for their personal discipleship journey.

Fiona added that, “discussions arose on the difference the Trust makes on the ground, focusing on their mission of ‘Healing, hope and hospitality’.”

Since its founding, the Nazareth Trust has thrived because of the personal faith of medics leading them to serve the hometown of Jesus. While paradigms in medical mission are changing, the role of Christian medics, especially those who are also active members of the CMF, remains critical, as supporters, encouragers, prayer partners and influencers.

We are grateful to our friends at CMF and to the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ who have gone before us by faithfully serving the people of Nazareth. Many of whom still stand with us in this urgent ministry of healing, hope and hospitality in Jesus hometown.