Statement of Faith

As an organization of Christian health professionals from the Mennonite Central Committee /Anabaptist constituencies, we hold in common a belief in a triune God (God, Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit). We believe in Jesus Christ as the revelation of God and redeemer of all who accept Him by faith. We believe the Bible is God's word and is our authority in faith and practice. We believe that the Christian church is a community of those who commit themselves to live under the lordship of Christ and to share with each other. Christian love is a central quality of the Christian faith and becomes the basis for our relationship with all people regardless of creed, ethnic origin, nationality, sex or political view. Our response to human conflict, injustice, war and racial tension is based on the biblical teachings of nonviolence.

We regard our professional lives as an opportunity for service, and our healing activities as a Christian ministry. We commit ourselves to service performed in the name of Christ, responding to human need and the call to Christian discipleship.
We identify with and participate in the life and activity of the Christian church and identify ourselves with the Anabaptist faith tradition.

Purposes

• To provide an organization through which physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals and students of the Mennonite Central Committee constituency may be able to cooperate in matters of common interest.
• To encourage, guide, and assist students of this constituency in their pursuit of medical and dental careers.
• To uphold and strengthen the doctrines and ideals of the Mennonite Central Committee constituent churches.
• To practice, uphold, and promote the highest standards and ethics of the medical and dental professions.
• To publish a periodical currently called  Mennonite Health Journal.
• To promote and facilitate short term service opportunities for members.
  
  

Organizational Activities

• Encourages Regional Chapters to organize and arrange for periodic meetings.
• Maintains on‑ going contact between practicing physicians, dentists, and medical/dental students.
• Presents the need for for physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals in mission and church‑ related projects, both abroad and in North America.
• Remains alert for projects that need the kind of assistance which MMA members can best give.
• Arranges preceptorships for students with graduate members in a variety of settings.
• Sponsors and finances the Student Elective Term (SET) program.
• Brings Mennonite physicians, dentists and other healthcare professionals together in an annual convention to share and formulate ideas pertinent to Christian faith and professional practice.
• Encourages and facilitates medical service ventures on the part of all members.
• Encourages and facilitates dialogue between members about issues at the intersection of their professional lives with their faith.
• Helps to sponsor consultations on Anabaptist views of health and healing, medical ethics, and professional life.

Financial Assistance

Mobilization for Mission is a fund made up of voluntary contributions from association members and others. These funds are used to provide assistance in sharing specific medical and dental skills in visits to mission fields and in consultative services. They are also used for travel subsidies to help medical students experience a Student Elective Term in a trans-cultural setting. Such settings include hospitals in South America, Africa, and Asia, as well as North America.

The Steven Roth Fund is a separate fund within Mobilization For Mission which was established in memory of Steven Roth, a medical student who died of cancer in December, 1990, to honor his dream of medical mission work.  It is designed to stimulate and  support the participation by MMA members in international missions. 

The Dr. Mary Jean Yoder Memorial Endowment Fund, is now directed by an independent Benefits Committee within Mennonite Mission Network, and receives and disburses grants or self‑canceling loans for medical and paramedical training of national Christians in developing countries.

Relationships

Relationship to other Medical and Health Organizations
Membership in MMA does not preclude memberships in other organizations such as the Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDS) with which collegial and cooperative relationships are maintained.

Relationship to other churches, agencies, or organizations
Although there is no formal relationship to Mennonite Central Committee constituency churches, conferences, or agencies, the goal of MMA is to strengthen the overall program of the church and to encourage each MMA member to do so personally through his or her own congregation and conference as well as through the Association.   

Mennonite Faith

For more information about Mennonites and our Beliefs, try these online resources.

• Mennolink.org: Great depth, including Mennonite archives, chat rooms, history, all the U.S. Churches, etc.
• Mennonite.net: Much about Mennonite history, geography, beliefs, and ways, sponsored in part by Goshen College.
• The Thirdway Café (thirdway.com): Mennonite Media... Fascinating literary 'zine from a Mennonite point of view

The Executive Committee

President:
Joanne Brenneman Speigle M.D.
Radiology
Teleford, PA
E-mail: 

President Elect:
Stan Godshall M.D.
Family Medicine
Mount Joy, PA
E-mail: 

Member at Large:
Rochele M. Beachy M.D.
Family Medicine
Shaker Heights, OH
E-mail: 

Member at Large:
S. Alexander Bartel M.D.
Family Medicine
Chilliwack, BC, Canada,
E-mail: