A Health ministry approach to church planting in reaching the Minangkabaus in Central Sumatra Mission of Indonesia

Abstract

The church can evangelize the world in many ways. This project is to develop a strategy that can be implemented by planting churches through the health ministry approach to the Minangkabau people in Central Sumatra Mission of Indonesia. In order to accomplish this purpose, the biblical-theological foundations of the health ministry approach to chruch planting is examined. Based on the examination of the historical/ geographical, economic, cultural, religious dynamics, and the health conditions of the Minangkabau people, a workable chruch planting strategy through a health ministry approach is developed. A health ministry approach to church planting proposed in this project consists of seven steps. These steps are constructed in harmony with the local conditions. In order to make these steps workable, it is recommended that a health ministry committee be formed, and together trained church planters be committed to implementing the program. Generous support from institutions such as Central Sumatra Mission (CSM) and West Indonesia Union Mission (WIUM) are vitally needed. Some recommendations for Central Sumatra Mission and West Indonesia Union Mission are given to make the strategy more effective.