While prevention has become a major focus in health care systems, the curative aspect of the health system cannot be underestimated. The Christian churches, including the Lutheran churches, have provided and still provide services in both preventive and curative care. A primary health care system brings health care as close as possible to where people live and work, and it constitutes the first element of a continuing health care process. Through health care programs, contact between the community, family, and individuals is established. In many parts of the world, the trust between Christians and people of other faiths or those who have not heard of Christ is established through a health care service program.
Health is an important part of the global mission of the church.
The Division for Global Mission supports the health ministry of partner churches and agencies by providing health care personnel and grants. These three consultations brought together health care professionals to share their experiences and also to discuss future directions of health care ministry of the church. The emphases were on preventive care and the recommendations from the consultations reflect the need to expand health care ministry. The visions of the DGM health care personnel are expressed in the following DGM goals for health ministry. The vision of the DGM health-care personnel is expressed in the following DGM goals for health ministry.