Dear friends,
It is a great privilege to be writing my first newsletter as the recently appointed Executive Officer of HealthServe Australia. It has been a whirlwind first 3 months, but safe to say, it has been one of the most enjoyable starts to a new role I have ever experienced. I have been blessed by the fantastic staff and exceptional board we have at HSA and the incredible support they have given me as I’ve learned the ropes. I have also been grateful and deeply encouraged by the support from Alan Moran from CMDFA and Peter Saunders from ICMDA, co-workers in our shared gospel purpose.
As a Pom who lives on the Sunshine Coast, I am more than aware of how privileged we are to be able to access first-class healthcare and so when presented with the opportunity to take on the baton at HSA and further this amazing work, it didn’t require much thinking. It is a real honour to be entrusted to lead a ministry that has punched above its weight for so many years in terms of its global impact, owing primarily to the grace of God, but also to those who have stewarded HSA faithfully since its inception.
With over 20 years in ministry, education and the not-for-profit sector, I am passionate about seeing the church equipped and released as a transformational force in the world. This call is not for the few, but for all those Jesus has called to follow Him.
When I think about the work of HealthServe, my mind goes to Luke 10 where we see Jesus sending the 72 out to the various towns and villages.
Luke 10:8-9
“When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
I am always fascinated by the fact that Jesus not only told them to proclaim the good news, but first to heal the sick. Jesus wasn’t asking them to perform miracles for miracles sake or just so they could have better lives, but it was a way in which the power of the ‘now and not yet’ Kingdom could be made manifest in the lives of those they were proclaiming the Kingdom to. When HSA partners are working on the frontlines to provide healthcare to some of the most resource poor communities in the world, they are taking God’s presence and utilising their God given gifts to bring health, hope and wholeness and in doing so, making the Kingdom known to those who don’t know Jesus.
We are all called to different contexts and whilst you may not feel called to heal the sick in communities that so desperately need better healthcare, you can make a difference by supporting those who are.
Spring Appeal
Over the last 12 months, because of the generosity of our supporters, more than 3000 people have received life-changing healthcare through 18 projects, delivered in 16 countries. Please help us to extend this impact by giving to our Spring Appeal. Find out more about our Spring focus projects here.
Alternatively, you can become a regular supporter of the work of HealthServe Australia and help us to equip and enable more healthcare and community development practitioners to deliver transformational health outcomes in resource poor communities.
To donate regularly, visit our General Donation page on our website (click here) and select ‘Recurring’ as the donation type.
Alternatively, you can donate via Direct Debit using these bank details:
HealthServe Australia
BSB 032-564
Account Number: 255048
Reference: your name & "Recurring General Donation"
Your support is impacting lives in South Sudan!
We’re excited to share that the Orison Medical Centre is making remarkable progress, thanks to the support of the HSA community! After successfully installing a bore to access clean water, we’ve moved on to stage two, with the framing and roof now completed. The next steps include fitting pipelines, installing electricity, plastering, and adding windows, doors, and paint. We are currently raising $20,000 AUD to finish the project and bring much-needed medical services to the Obbo community. With your continued support, we can make this vision a reality and bless the community with accessible healthcare.
Apply for our $1000 HeartStart Grant
Do you know a health worker student who would benefit from funding and overseas experience?
HeartStart is an award of HealthServe Australia valued at up to $1000 for health-worker students in Australia to seed-fund travel to a developing country to immerse themselves in a safe resource-poor setting, develop relationships and gather information. From this they may be able to develop a Concept Paper for a project that may transform health outcomes for the host beneficiary group.
We are still taking applications for the 2024 Award. If you or someone you know would like to apply, please fill out this form.
21st Birthday Celebrations
HealthServe Australia is 21 this year! To mark this milestone, we are currently preparing a month of celebrations throughout November. We will be sharing stories, insights and testimonies from the last 21 years and hearing from those who have benefitted from this crucial work and the people who were instrumental in HealthServe’s inception. We will also be excited to share with you what we see for the future of HSA and how you can be part of it.
The communications will commence on Monday 4th November and culminate in a zoom celebration event on the evening of the 25th November, where you will have opportunity to hear more about the future and ask questions of myself, the board and other stakeholders. We will also be sharing with you some of our exciting developments that the team have been working on for the last few months.
You will receive a formal invitation in due course, but please save the date and to make sure you don’t miss anything, make sure you are connected through our Facebook page and website, where you can sign up to our emailing list.
Intermed Event: Anthony Radford Oration
How can we help you? – caring for culturally and linguistically diverse clients in Australian health practices.
Come along in person or by Zoom as Tamara Filmer delivers the 8th Anthony Radford Oration at Tabor on Friday 1st November 2024 from 5:30pm (on-site at Tabor) and 6:00pm by Zoom.
Registration essential – click on the link below for your free on-site at Tabor ticket or your Zoom ticket. The link also provides more information on this event.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-8th-anthony-radford-oration-registration-1013424639377
Thank you once again for your continued faithfulness and support of HealthServe Australia. You are making a difference in the lives of so many, and for that we are truly grateful.
In Christ
Chris Dickons, Executive Officer
HealthServe Australia
