Testimonial – Coginternational

Testimonials

TESTIMONIALS

It was in February, 2013 that God opened a pathway to my being a part of this movement. My full-time business career of more than 35 years was drawn to a close quite suddenly enabling my wife, Mary, and I to travel on a primarily medical mission trip to Duncan Hospital in Raxaul, Bihar, India. Only a few months earlier I would have scoffed if someone had told me I would shortly be headed to India, but God is amazing! And, it was there in a few short weeks that Mathew and I met and formed a close relationship where God knit our hearts together in Christian brotherhood. From then we were regularly communicating and praying together at least weekly and often multiple times per week over the years since then.

Mathew and I were friends while we’re in Manipal India where we both were engaged in our medical education. Mathew played an important role during my early days of my Christian walk. After my training in Pediatrics our paths separated while Mathew went into Christian mission and I along with my wife Ruby migrated to US. Our first 25 years in US was about raising children, our profession and our involvement in the local church. Once we became empty nesters I was always waiting on God what my next phase of life is going to be like. I was always passionate about leadership and descipleship and itt has a vital role in today’s church at large. A few years ago Mathew and I miraculously reconnected and when he shared his vision about descipleship amongst healthcare workers I felt led to partner with him About 15 months ago I had the awesome privilege to join hands in prayer and fellowship with a group of likeminded brothers and now to see the early fruits of those prayer and hard work, it is really exciting. And we saw God’s faithfulness and miracles throughout this journey. looking forward to many many more!!

I have known Mathew and his family for many years and served together with him onmultiple occasions and roles. Our one such association was when Mathew was theManaging Director of Duncan Hospital in Raxaul, Bihar, India while I served as theGeneral Secretary of the Evangelical Medical Fellowship of India (EMFI). Later when he joined EMFI as Missions Secretary, we worked closely in the area of Medical Missions training, mentoring of medical students and professionals and a new program on the ‘Kingdom of God in Healthcare’. What began several years ago as a friendship, he and I have become close brothers in Christ over time. A few years ago, Mathew sensed a call of God to step out and form a new missions effort focused on helping and challenging healthcare professionals live lives that advance the Kingdom of God. Personally, for me, God has placed a passion in my heart for growing in community and mentoring believers. As Mathew began this journey, I was motivated to help initially as an advisor an encourager. And, as the vision began to take form and gain momentum, it was my humbleprivilege to join the Board in order to lend my support. I am glad now to bea part of this initiative which I am sure, with God’s enabling, will help develop godly leaders and extend the Kingdom of God. I am both impressed at the partnerships and geographicalengagements that were formed in our first year and gratified

I have known and walked with Mathew for many years in Christian brotherhood. In recent years it became clear that God has called him to lead a movement amongst healthcare professionals. When asked to join the Board, it was quickly clear to me that I needed to join the effort. The three clearest reasons why I am committed to the ministry of COGI and privileged to be a Board Member: • Healthcare professionals have a unique opportunity to come alongside, to care and to witness, by action and words, to persons who are often at critical times in their lives and open to respond to the Good News. • Christian Healthcare professionals, like all who seek to be disciples, need to be trained and nurtured to grow in their faith and understanding if they are to honor the Lord Jesus with their lives, be effective in their profession, and be a blessing to their families, patients, and communities. • We live in extremely challenging times that grow more uncertain daily. In that regard, Christian healthcare professionals need to be kept up to date not only in their profession but also about the changing nature of the world and how to to be “on mission” within it.

I support the work of COG because of its vision to equip and strengthen the disciples of Christ in healthcare to follow Him and serve Him as individuals and communities. Healthcare workers need encouragement, fellowship and a fresh vision to perceive their work beyond their job by understanding the times they are in and God’s calling wherever He has kept them. COG provides them resources and people who will walk with them in this often hard and lonely journey.