In Jos, Nigeria, a city often rocked by violence where poverty levels are high and AIDS runs rampant, Dr. Christian Isichei’s Faith Alive hospital shines like a beacon of hope. For the past 18 years, Christian has been committed to providing free health care for Jos’s poor.
Since starting the hospital with just $333, this Haggai International alumnus has grown his vision from a staff of one to approximately 150; from a four-room apartment to a three-floor hospital complex. And he’s still not done.
“I desire to plant free hospitals, clinics, and social services as vehicles of the Gospel in other parts of Africa,” he says. “I dream of another Mayo Clinic in Africa, starting here in Nigeria.”
Christian credits his Haggai International training with providing the skills he needed to accomplish the next phase of his life.
“I’ve set goals, accomplished and even surpassed almost all of them, and I’m setting even more goals,” he says.
Included in those goals is mentoring. “I’ve taught formal and informal mentorship classes. I mentor about 600 medical students and others yearly.”
Whether talking to patients or lecturing to hundreds, Christian ensures that the Gospel remains paramount. He’s become a major speaker in Nigeria and other countries.
He says, “A 15,000-member congregation in the United States – Bayside Church in Sacramento, California – invited me to their annual conference called THRIVE. I spoke on God-sized goals – a major transforming message I first received at Haggai International and which continues to influence my life.”
His extraordinary life story has inspired a book: Faith Alive: Stories of Hope and Healing from an African Doctor and His Hospital, written by Erika Nossokoff. The book details the amazing stories surrounding Christian and his staff – all pointing back to His faith and the evidence of God working among the patients.
The hospital is just one facet of Christian’s focus, though. His foundation also provides skills acquisition classes, such as sewing, catering, and computer skills, along with school scholarships and transitional living housing. In addition, he has launched an HIV/AIDS monthly support group, a Celebrate Recovery program, and a daycare center.
He says, “Our mission statement is, ‘to serve humanity by expressing God’s love through compassionate, voluntary services and the provision of free holistic health care and social services for improved quality of life.’”
The numbers speak to just how well that mission statement is being carried out. In just the first three months of 2014, the hospital treated 8,625 outpatient cases, delivered 91 babies, had 5,754 HIV treatment teams, and performed 199 surgeries, among other services.
“I wish Haggai International donors could visit and see for themselves what we are accomplishing,” Christian says. “They are making one of the greatest investments, and only Heaven can quantify the impact. Thank you!”
The Haggai Leader Experience equips outstanding men and women to bring Good News to a broken world. The mark of the Haggai leader is a passion to serve Christ and bring others to Him. There’s no prescribed formula. Each leader has different skills and a different calling. Some return to positions of influence in commerce, healthcare, and the courts; others establish schools, relief organizations, and churches. In whatever way God moves them, they promote justice, foster integrity in public life, and help the poor.
Every leader in every country becomes a catalyst. Over 100,000 men and women have completed the Haggai Leader Experience. They have established more than 500 local chapters in 110 nations, passing on Haggai skills and inspiration – in their own languages and at their own expense. Haggai leaders are impacting the world for Jesus Christ. They are active in almost every nation and culture. You can find out more about Haggai Leader Experience and how you can volunteer or support their work here.
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