wfn.org | Brazilian Clinic Planned

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS" by SUSAN PEEK on Aug. 11, 1991 at 13:58 Eastern,
about FULL TEXT RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (3143 notes).

Note 3141 modified by UMNS on Aug. 27, 1996 at 16:49 Eastern (6023
characters).

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SEARCH:  Bonfin, Evangemed, Order of Luke, Rio de Janeiro, clinic, 
         Fox
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of
the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New
York, and Washington.

CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                      427(10-71P){3141}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470             Aug. 27, 1996

Mobile clinic to serve physical, spiritual
needs of 'poorest of the poor' in Brazil

                          A UMNS Feature
                         by Tom McAnally*

     Healing the bodies and souls of the poorest of the poor is
the intent of an ingenious mobile clinic to be launched early in
1997 in Brazil.
     Wilson Bonfin, a Brazilian Methodist evangelist and medical
doctor, believes the ministry -- known as "Evangemed" -- is the
work of the Holy Spirit.  So do others, including the Rev. Bill
Bouknight, pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis.
     The two men were among those present in Rio de Janeiro Aug. 9
when Bonfin was commissioned by the World Evangelism arm of the
World Methodist Council to begin the special ministry.
     What makes the project unique is the coming together of human
and material resources to make it happen.
     Involved will be:
     * Bonfin, who had been praying for a way to express his
Christian ministry as a doctor;
     * Christ Church that was looking for a way to share its
resources, particularly with the "poorest of the poor";
     * the Order of Luke, a group of Christian physicians from
around the world;
     * the Methodist Church of Brazil.
     Bringing all these resources together was the Rev. Eddie Fox,
director of World Evangelism for the World Methodist Council. 
Also envisioned are volunteer teams of health care professionals
from other countries. 
     Bonfin had been practicing medicine in the Rio de Janeiro
area of Brazil since his graduation from medical school but was
always drawn to ministry through his local Methodist Church.
     During his second year of med school he met some missionaries
who told of their work.  "It changed my view," he recalls. "My
heart started to burn."
     When he practiced medicine less than full time so that he
could devote more time to evangelism, some members of his family
were concerned.  "My father thought I was crazy," Bonfin recalls. 
"He had spent all the money to put me through medical school and
at first said 'no, never' to my mission work.
     "I think he wanted me to be rich and famous but I couldn't do
that; but now he is proud of me and the way of the Lord."
     Bonfin learned of "Evangemed" during a short course on
evangelism led by Fox in Brazil.  "Eddie told me about the
possibility and I applied.  But time went by and I heard nothing. 
I almost gave up hearing.  Three days before I was going to make a
different decision, my bishop called and told me I had been
accepted." Bonfin said.  "I was very excited."
     Early in 1995 Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis
launched a capital funds campaign to expand its facilities.
     "Our leaders were aware that the poorest of the poor would
not be able to use these new facilities," said Bouknight, the
church's senior pastor.  "We decided to designate 10 percent of
all funds raised to provide for facilities that would minister to
this group of people."
     The church raised $9.2 million, which translated into
$920,000 for six projects, four in Memphis, one in Croatia, and
the project in Brazil.
     Christ Church is provided $70,000 to purchase a truck and a
28-foot trailer that will house a medical and dental clinic and
pharmacy.  The Order of Luke has committed to pay $50,000 a year
for salaries of staff.   The Rio De Janeiro Annual Conference will
pay $18,000 a year for maintenance, including such things as gas
and medicine. In addition to Bonfin, the staff will include a
nurse and a part-time dentist.
     The Rio Conference, under the leadership of Bishop Paulo
Lockmann, will provide other personnel and administer the project.
     "I'm convinced the Holy Spirit brought these components
together and used Eddie Fox as the agent," said Bouknight.
     Members at Christ Church have found the concept of tithing
one-tenth to the poor to be "spiritually exhilarating," he said. 
"I am excited about what it would mean if this concept became a
common practice across Methodism.  I also think the Evangemed
concept is one that could be reproduced in countless places around
the world.  The need is so extraordinary."
     Bouknight said his congregation was particularly impressed
with Bonfin's combining the work of an evangelist and doctor.
     "When I am practicing medicine I always have a Bible on my
desk," Bonfin said.  "When people see the Bible they want to hear. 
I tell them about Jesus and pray with them."
     Several individuals have come into his clinic, sick in spirit
and body, and have left as new Christians with a sense of hope and
encouragement, he said.
     Fox said it was appropriate for the commissioning service to
be held in conjunction with the World Methodist Conference that
had as its theme, "Holy Spirit, Giver of Life."
     "The Holy Spirit has led us in World Evangelism, every step
of the way," he said.  "The first time I met Wilson Bonfin was
when he responded in an evangelistic service to my invitation to
be a missionary for Christ.  The Holy Spirit led him in that
response and the Holy Spirit was leading Christ Church in Memphis
at the same time."
     Noting that the Gospel compels the Church to "give a cup of
cool water" in the name of Jesus Christ, Fox said, "This ministry
of evangelism is faithful to that command."
     The uniqueness of Evangemed, Fox added, is not medicine or
evangelism but putting the two together ... word and deed.
                              #  #  #   

     * McAnally is director of United Methodist News Service, part
of United Methodist Communications, headquartered in Nashville,
Tenn.

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