Giving to the Missionary Medical Plan

TL;DR:
The Missionary Medical Plan provides essential health care for Nazarene missionaries and their families worldwide. It helps pay for diagnosis, treatment, hospitalization, prescriptions, maternity care, and emergency evacuations. Funding comes through Memorial Roll Certificates, Distinguished Service Awards, freewill offerings, and “Gifts from the Heart.” The plan is the suggested NMI emphasis for May.

• The Missionary Medical Plan helps missionaries obtain needed health care, even in challenging circumstances.
• Contributions support Nazarene missionary families worldwide.
• The plan helps provide health care for active and retired Nazarene missionaries and their families, including diagnosis, treatment, and emergency evacuation.
• Memorial Roll Certificates and Distinguished Service Awards honor individuals while funding the medical needs of Nazarene missionaries.

Suggested NMI Emphasis for May

Lend a Hand

Missionaries may face greater health risks than they would in their home countries. Obtaining adequate health care can also be difficult. Even when appropriate care is available, its cost may be exorbitant. In some world areas, missionaries must travel considerable distances to receive needed medical attention.

The Medical Plan helps take care of active and retired Nazarene missionaries and their families when medical needs and emergencies arise.

The Nazarene Missionary Medical Plan Typically Covers

• Diagnosis of physical conditions and diseases
• Dental, vision, and hearing care
• Evacuation by air and ground ambulance when needed
• Physical exams for Nazarene missionary families
• Treatment of childhood illnesses and injuries for missionary kids (MKs)
• Hospitalization
• Emergency care
• Prescription medications
• Surgical procedures
• Maternity care
• Mental health services

How Medical Plan Funds Are Provided

Medical Plan funds are provided through Memorial Roll Certificates, Distinguished Service Awards, Medical Plan freewill offerings, and “Gifts from the Heart.”

Memorial Roll

• Honors the memory of a deceased friend or family member
• Presented by a local church, group, or individual
• Goal: at least one certificate per church each year, with no maximum
• $75 each (duplicate certificates for the same person are $25 each) [Certificate order form]

Distinguished Service Award (DSA)

• Honors church members who are actively serving, such as ushers, Sunday school workers, and staff members
• Presented by a church or church department rather than by an individual
• $125 each (duplicate certificates for the same person are $25 each) [Order form]

Medical Plan Offerings

Through freewill offerings (often taken in May), entire congregations can help with the medical needs of missionaries.

All money given to the Medical Plan is used directly for missionaries' health care and may count as 10 percent credit for your church. No funds go to administrative costs. If there is a shortfall, the World Evangelism Fund makes up the difference.

Note: For assistance in memorializing a loved one or honoring someone for distinguished service, contact your local or district NMI president.

See these monthly emphasis suggestions for Nazarene Missions International groups.

— Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu