If the phrase "right arm of the message" is new to you, it refers to the medical ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. My recent responsibilities included a close relationship with Adventist Health West, and currently I have the privilege to serve on the boards of Adventist Health System, with hospitals in Illinois and Wisconsin, and Loma Linda University and Medical Center.

The challenges of operating hospitals in today's financial and political climate are enormous. The pressures on the leadership of medical institutions are many and unrelenting, but the rewards are also great. Each time I attend a hospital or system board meeting, I hear moving stories that relay how lives are impacted by the mission carried out by medical health professionals. Here is an edited story recently shared by a grateful parent:

"My son was a trauma patient at your hospital in April. He was hit in the eye with a baseball and was initially taken to a local community hospital at which time we were informed that he would most likely lose the sight in his right eye. After a CT scan, my son was transferred to the Emergency Room at your hospital. It is at this time that we began to experience the world class service and care we have always heard about.

"I called a friend who works for the hospital while we were in transit. I was amazed to find him in the Emergency Room along with the Chief of Ophthalmology, the Chief of Trauma and the most amazing team of doctors and nurses. The entire team not only provided the best medical care we could ever ask for, but they were constantly talking to us, reassuring us and letting us know at all times what was taking place. The personal care that was provided by the nurse throughout the evening was amazing. I only wish I could remember her name. The compassion, care and communication we received was overwhelming! By about 9:30 p.m., we were told by the doctor that my son could see two fingers."

This grateful parent went on to share the experience of the next several days of alert nursing care and responsive doctors who, with a personal touch and extraordinary professionalism, treated the primary injury and additional complications with their ministry of healing. This young man's vision improved to 20/40.

Many years ago God showed Ellen White the powerful avenues of reaching people for Christ through the ministry of medicine. Since that time the Seventh-day Adventist Church has connected with millions of people all around the world. Lives have been touched, treated, healed and comforted through personal trauma. Most importantly, hearts have been opened to the Holy Spirit.

I invite you to pray for the thousands of medical caregivers and support personnel who make up our global health care ministry of which Adventist Midwest Health System here in the Lake Union is a part.