Eddie Ramirez, MD
Australia AMEN Report
In an unexpected e-mail, I was invited to be the keynote speaker at the Australian AMEN Conference to be held December 4-6, 2015. After praying about it and checking my calendar, I agreed. Meanwhile, God was orchestrating a few special events on my way to the conference.
After accepting the invitation to speak in Australia, God worked out additional speaking appointments that I was able to fit in on my way there. First I spoke at the Division in Moscow, Russia. Then I conducted a special evangelistic program in a church in Beijing, China – where there was standing room only! I received an invitation to record a series of programs, including my testimony, for 3ABN Australia; and, finally, a week of health talks in Brisbane. This was my fourth time in Australia. It was great, travelling from 34 degrees in Weimar, California to 78-degree Sydney. While flying over, I sat next to a French businessman who “just happened” to be interested in starting a lifestyle center. After our conversation and a follow up meeting in France, he decided he would like to pattern it after the NEWSTART program at Weimar.
Then I arrived at beautiful Collaroy Beach, in the outskirts of Sydney where the AMEN conference was to be held. The weather was great but I was especially encouraged by the attendance of medical professionals from various parts of Australia and inspired by the many students wanting to follow God’s blueprint. In addition, it was wonderful to witness the collaboration between medical professionals and pastors – many of the church leaders from the division and conference attended the conference as well. The theme? Eden Unlocked: The Secret of Healing Ministry. Even though cardiologist Dr. Samuel Sidharta and I were the featured speakers, many other presenters inspired the participants. After a song service and a devotional to begin the Sabbath, I shared my testimony from medical school telling how God used our family to make a spiritual impact in a town in Latin America. At the conclusion of the meeting, students gathered around me for hours asking questions about how they, too, can impact their medical school and church family.
Sabbath started early as another gorgeous Australian summer day woke us up. The program included inspiring testimonies about mission trips and the work of various ministries that had impacted many lives. I shared how God’s word has to be our foundation, and I talked about the powerful evidence for the Bible being the Word of God. On Sunday I stressed the importance of God’s methods being used in order to reach secular Australia. I shared how God has enabled me to do health outreach in secular places, such as Iceland, New Zealand, Australia, Norway, Singapore, Italy, and Belgium.
During the conference we also had small group meetings specifically designed for students to address their concerns and ask questions. It was great to hear what some are already doing in their medical schools. Dr. Sidharta shared inspiring messages of his own walk with God and how God allowed him to enter a very competitive cardiology residency, even though he refused to be interviewed on Sabbath, the traditional day cardiology interviews transpire, something that had never happened before. He also shared experiences on the outreach his church is doing in Australia. Finally, the meetings finished on Sunday, but not before new friends and stronger networks were reinforced. Attendees left ready to go back and serve God in the places where He has called them.
Stay tuned for the next issue of the Medical Evangelist where I will talk about the amazing experience we had in China!
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