By Mark Ellis
Quarterback Tim Tebow has become the miracle man in fourth-quarter comebacks for the Denver Broncos this season. But off the
field, his foundation is partnering with CURE International to bring God’s healing miracles into the lives of young people in the Philippines.
The Tim Tebow Foundation and CURE will build a 30-bed surgical facility for children focusing primarily on orthopedics on the island of Mindanao– an area that holds a particular interest for the Heisman trophy winner.
“I was born in the Philippines and my parents have been missionaries to that area since 1985,” Tebow says. “The Philippines have always had a special place in my heart. I’m excited to be a part of this hospital that will bring healing to thousands of children who would not otherwise have access to care.”
Groundbreaking for the facility in Davao City is set for January 2012 and it’s expected to open in 2013. This is the first project between the two organizations since they announced their partnership in October. The relationship grew out of an informal conversation between Tebow’s brother and CURE’s new president at the Lausanne Congress last January.
The hospital is CURE’s first in the Philippines and 12th worldwide. The construction project is expected to cost $3 million, with donors from CURE and the Tebow Foundation sharing the costs.
“We see what we do as an extension of Jesus’ healing ministry,” says Scott Worrall, vice-president of CURE. Physical and spiritual healing for children has always been a primary focus since the organization’s founding in 1996 by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Scott Harrison and his wife Sally. “Their intention from the start was to value spiritual ministry along with medical care,” Worrall notes.
CURE is the largest provider of reconstructive surgery to disabled children in the emerging world. “Jesus sent his first disciples out to heal the sick and proclaim thekingdomofGod, and that’s what we do.”
CURE has become a world leader in treating hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid accumulates in the brain and causes a progressive enlargement of the head. It can sometimes cause mental disability and even death. At CURE’s hospital in Uganda, they perform 600-800 hydrocephalus surgeries each year using an endoscopic procedure pioneered by Dr. Benjamin Warf.
The spiritual directors who minister at each of their hospitals also serve in management roles. “The spiritual director is not just a chaplain,” Worrall explains, “but involved in business decisions as to how the hospital is run as part of the executive team.”
In addition to talking and praying with patients and their families, chapel services are offered daily. “We’re intentional about presenting the Gospel of Mark to people, but not in a coercive way,” Worrall notes. “Patients are treated regardless of whether they want to hear.”
CURE uses “Christianity Explored” materials that follow the Book of Mark. They also translate Mark into multiple languages using an electronic system called Mega Voice.
The goal at each of their 12 hospitals is to train nationals to manage every aspect of the hospitals themselves. “We have 1400 employees
around the world and less than 75 are Westerners,” Worrall says. Their first surgical teaching hospital in Kijabe, Kenya, which opened in 1998, is run entirely by Kenyans.
The hospital in the Philippines will include a “Timmy’s Playroom,” named for the Denver quarterback. “We have play rooms for kids in each one of our hospitals,” Worrall says. “It’s an opportunity for kids to be kids.” The playrooms provide a place to talk about Jesus in a different setting with younger patients.
CURE’s focus on bringing healing to developing nations has resulted in more than 1.5 million patient visits and over 121,000 surgeries to correct physically disabling conditions. CURE has also trained more than 2,400 medical professionals, raising the standard of care in the countries where it operates.
I’m so thrilled to see someone stand up for their faith as a Believer against all the odds of being liked!
Great testimony without fear of being disliked for your christian faith!
Excellent & Exemplary & Exceptional–Simply AWEsome!~
An Excellent Spirit!~
People like Tim Tebow who have recognition, plus the financial means, and
who have a love for our Great Physician and a strong faith, can do wonders
to help make our world a saner place in which to live. GO Tim and CURE;
and may our Lord bless your projects mightily. You are awesome!!
Tim Tebow, please keep showing the body of Christ that we must stand up and have a voice. God will bless our testimony if we will just not be afraid to be bold and speak out and do the WORD and no hear only.
May GOD richly bless you and every effort for the hurting and downtrodden.
IN HIS NAME
God isn’t so concerned whether we win or lose. He watches our attitude and motives when we win or lose. God bless you you Tim. You are a real example of Christian attitude and a role model for our young people. May your hospital really bring healing to many young and old.
hello my name is genesis and i have a son 10 months old, who has hydrocephalus. Because of a lack of financial resources, we can not provide him his surgery, so i ask that maybe you can help me..I’m looking for the foundation who can help my son…thanks onwards!
There is no Higher calling than leading our youth the right way. Especially in a world where its not fashionable to even say the word Jesus. I am so grateful for your faith Tm Tebow and how it has impacted myself as well as my son. Here is to the children! God bless
Hello,
I am Emma. I would like to be involve in this Christian endevor. I was born in Davao and lived in Davao before I came to the US. Here I work as a clincal lab supervisor here at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, SF.
I have a hospital admistration background earned from the University in the Philippines. My parents (deceased) were missionaries to the Blaans, indigenous tribe in Southern Mindanao, near Davao.
I was excited to read this news today! Happy that you chose Davao. Indeed this is God’s plan. Is there anyway you I can be a part of this endeavor?
I am amazed and blessed for the example that Tim showed to the world…and that is giving God the glory and honor in everything that he do and relying God for his future. I am a Filipino, and I am thanking Tim for investing for eternity by ministering the lives of our children, and I am so grateful to God for giving Tim a Christ-like heart.
Hello ,
I’m based in Westwood ,California and currently here in The Philippines. I’ve been avid follower of the Tebow’s ministry in our country. I want to help in any way I can with this Hospital ministry. I wonder if the groundbreaking was done last January and if not I hope I could attend . hope our family and friends could help in our own little way . Praise GOD for christians like Tebow family. Filipinos are so Blessed to bring the tebow family to our country . We have been praying for oyur ministtry and Family.
Comments are closed.