This page details Medical Teams International’s ongoing commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
At Medical Teams International, we affirm that every person is made in the image of God and has inherent value to God, and as such, we aspire to treat everyone with the dignity divinely ascribed (Genesis 1:27). Grounded in this core belief, we are committed to create an environment where diversity and cultural inclusion are foundational throughout the organization, where people from a diversity of backgrounds feel respected, welcomed, and safe. Committing to this work anchors Medical Teams in the pursuit of a culture that embodies its calling: Daring to love like Jesus, we boldly break barriers to health and restore wholeness in a hurting world.
As a part of Medical Teams’ ongoing work around diversity, equity and inclusion, we’re committed to fostering lasting change in our organization, as demonstrated by the initiatives below.
In 2020, we formed a Diversity Advisory Council (DAC) to help discover, guide and execute various initiatives around our DEI work. The council is made up of employees across disciplines, departments, and backgrounds. Some of their commitments are outlined below.
Within the organization, the DAC commits to:
We recognize and appreciate the importance of creating an environment in which all employees feel respected, welcomed and safe; empowered to do their best work and bring great ideas to the table. Given that our individual social, economic, and cultural identities shape and influence our experiences and perspectives, it stands to reason that Medical Teams will do its best work by ensuring diversity in our workforce across the various dimensions of social and cultural identity and by practicing inclusivity in how we work with one another. We will encourage and invest in diversity and inclusion within our personnel.
Juneteenth, a day of significance sometimes referred to as Emancipation Day, commemorates the ending of slavery in the United States. The tragic and public deaths of Black lives in recent years have caused our country to pursue a national reckoning over its roots steeped in centuries of racial injustice. This tipping point has caused us to enter into a time of honest reflection, both individually and corporately.
Like other international humanitarian organizations, Medical Teams focuses on serving the marginalized both in developing communities and here at home. However, we realize it is easy to overlook the deeper causes of inequity and injustice within the US, right in our own neighborhoods. We recognize our need to examine how we do this internally as an organization — not just externally toward those we serve.
During the last several years in particular, our nation has witnessed the senseless deaths of persons of color — continually reminding us that liberty and justice for all remains a distant vision rather than a present reality. Against the haunting backdrop of racial segregation, inequality, and trauma from our collective history, we long to untie the tight cords of injustice that have had a grip on our nation for far too long.
As our calling statement encourages us to love like Jesus, we see throughout Scripture the example of prayer and fasting during times of mourning and deep repentance, to seek an encounter to hear from the Lord. Jesus exemplified this often throughout his ministry on earth.
In Joel 2:12, the Lord says to “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.”
We cry out to God because it is not only important, but necessary. Lament isn’t a word we use often but as a noun, it is a passionate expression of sorrow or grief. It can be a song, hymn or poem of mourning. As a verb, it means to cry out to God to express sorrow, mourning or regret aloud.
As we lament, we offer a unifying cry of solidarity with our oppressed brothers and sisters, both here and around the world. As we fast, we realign our hearts with the Father’s toward reconciliation, restoration and peace.
Below is a list of resources we’ve compiled as a starting point on this journey.
by Garrett Kell
What is a Christian response to injustice?
Stare at it (Eccles. 4:1) Groan with grief (Rom. 8:22) Lament before God (Ps. 13, 77) Pray desperately (2 Chron. 20:12) Be angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26) Weep with the hurting (Rom. 12:15) Rescue the oppressed (Prov. 31:9) Pray for the oppressors (Mt. 5:44) Rebuke oppressors (Is. 1:17) Speak against injustice (Eph. 5:11) Repent of your own injustices (Rom. 2:1-4) Do justice (Mic. 6:8) Entrust vengeance to God (Rom. 12:17-21) Hope in Jesus’ return and the Day when evil and tears shall be no more (Rev. 21:4)
Come, Lord Jesus.
Psalm 124 Psalm 6 Lamentations 3:19-33 (the Message) Romans 12:15 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 Jeremiah 12:1-6 Psalm 27:1-6
Fasting is a helpful way to focus on God in the midst of uncertainty, darkness, and grief. Here are some fasting tips for beginners.
Here is some guidance for organizing a service of lament.
Here is a thoughtfully compiled list of anti-racism materials including articles, podcasts and books for adults and children.
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