Hasn’t CMDF been supporting missionary doctors?
Although CMDF has always contributed in a modest way towards missionaries, support is uncertain and depends on pledges from a few oncerned/ interested members. With MMF, we are able to maintain a more sustained support and also to respond more effectively to urgent requests from the field. Over the years, the medical missionaries have expressed their deep-felt gratitude for the encourgement and support shown by the Christian medical and dental fraternity through the MMF.

Where does MMF get its funding?
MMF raises its funding for the missionary doctors through its annual fund-raising event. The trust also receives donations from individuals and corporations.

How will MMF funds be used?
Support will vary according to personal/family needs. It goes towards general expenses, travel and deputation expenses, CME-related costs and other professional activities. However, MMF funds are not geared towards supporting mission agency infrastructure or for equipping of mission hospitals. The MMF committee gives some leeway to the individual missionary as to how the funds should be allocated or diverted according to changing circumstances in the field.

Shouldn’t the home-churches be raising the support?
Certainly! MMF/CMDF is just one of several partners in this venture. The home-church is the principal support base. Peers/friends are another important group. MMF aims to complement rather than take over. Generally, a larger grant will be allocated to the missionary doctor or dentist who comes from a small church-group.

We believe missionary doctors and dentists have special needs which are not part and parcel of the general allocation in a missions agency. Examples are renewal of practising licence with the Singapore Medical Council and Singapore Dental Council, medical defence fees, CME upgrading, travel grants for medical conferences, subscription to medical journals or medical websites etc.

Who will be eligible for MMF support?
It will be used to support Christian medical or dental graduates who are Singaporeans or Permanent Residents and who wish to serve as cross-cultural missionaries either in medical or other Christian work for at least a year.

MMF will also support medical missionaries who are posted back to Singapore by their mission organisation to do full-time Christian work after a period of posting overseas.

Short-term missionary work (those of less than one-year duration ) will not be considered but ‘tent-makers’ in creative access nations are eligible. Funds will not be used for lay-theological training but medical missionaries undergoing theological training can seek funding. If funds are limited, preference will be given to CMDF members.

Foreign medical missionaries do not come within the MMF purview. Foreign doctors residing in Singapore for theological training, medical apprenticeship or mission organisational postings also do not qualify. Instead, CMDF will be the appropriate organisation to provide support for any such worthy causes/personnel.

Who administers the funds?
MMF funds are separately administered by the MMF Committee (called Board of Advisors in the Trust Deed ), which advises the Board of Trustees (appointed by the Christian Medical & Dental Fellowship (CMDF) Executive Committee). The MMF Committee comprises CMDF doctors and dental surgeons. It is supported by Christian lawyers and a Christian accountant to assist in the legal and financial aspects of the fund. The MMF account is also audited annually by an external professional agency.

How can I help?
You can help by informing the MMF of any missionary doctor or dentist serving overseas, even if they are well-supported by their churches and do not require financial support. We would like a full list of missionary doctors and dentists for contact purposes and for medical students who seek elective attachments to mission-hospitals. Besides, CMDF/MMF is always looking out for missionary doctors on home-visits to speak at CMDF gatherings.

You can help organise a support-group among Christian doctor or dental peers (medical/dental year-cohort) to raise funds for the MMF. This is especially relevant if one of your batch-doctors is serving in the mission-field. Class-representatives are needed to help the committee maintain links with the field-workers.

Consider making a legacy towards this project. You can help sustain the missions work by making donations. Cheques to be made payable to “Medical Missions Foundation” and mail to: Medical Missions Foundation, My Mail Box 887826, Singapore 919191.

Who do I talk to?
You can send an e-mail to mmfinsingapore@gmail.com and admin@cmdf.org.sg or talk to any member of the MMF Committee or CMDF Committee.