In 2013, Dr. Scott Addison was a partner in a family practice in Muskegon, Michigan. He and his wife Sheila were active members of All Shores Wesleyan Church (Spring Lake, Michigan). Their personal lives were kept busy with raising three sons: Lewis, Teddy and Emmett.
As a busy, successful professional, Dr. Addison was not looking for more ways to spend his time. But it was at that time that Dennis Jackson, executive director of Global Partners, asked Addison to consider leading a major medical outreach through The Wesleyan Church.
Global Partners Health Network (gponline.org/GPHN) brings together healthcare professionals and students to share the love of Christ through global medical ministry. GPHN supports three Wesleyan hospitals—located in La Gonave, Haiti; Zimba, Zambia; and Kamakwie, Sierra Leone—and a number of clinics in places like Papua New Guinea, Myanmar and creative access countries. GPHN has pioneered Community Health Evangelism (CHE) outreaches in Haiti and Cambodia.
Global Partners Health Network
Global Partners Health Network brings together healthcare professionals and students to share the love of Christ through global medical ministry.
When Addison was offered the role of director of Global Partners Health Network, he saw the convergence of his entrepreneurial wiring, his desire to be involved in the global mission and the opportunity to use his medical training.
How does he manage these multiple priorities? Addison admits it’s an ongoing journey of finding balance. However, he has worked with colleagues to structure his practice schedule so that he can devote one full day each week to Global Partners.
Addison clearly sensed God leading him into this role. This assurance has helped him to persevere through times when the demands seemed overwhelming. He has been presented with other opportunities for engagement along the way. Taking time to listen for God’s leading has helped him filter the God ideas from the merely good ideas.
Addison challenges other professionals from all walks of life to consider how they may steward their time for maximum impact. “You got one shot on earth,” he says. “You want to do what you can to advance the kingdom. Whatever it costs to get yourself in a position where you’re really using your gifts to serve God is well worth it.”