In Togo, West Africa, the forested village of Tsiko is home to Hôpital Baptiste Biblique, a medical ministry of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism. Since 2016, nurse practitioners John (Nursing ’02) and Tabitha Groeneveld (Nursing ’02) have served at this busy facility, working alongside other staff to help care for over 20,000 patients each year. While treating physical injuries, illnesses, and diseases, they also offer patients the cure for their spiritual needs by presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Although John and Tabitha did not originally plan to be long-term missionaries, their ministry in Togo has brought them lasting joy because it allows them to use healthcare to guide souls to Christ.
Pursuing Nursing
As children, both John and Tabitha were influenced by nurses. Each of their mothers worked in the field and retold their days of caring for patients. John was inspired to pursue the career from an early age. After learning about Pensacola Christian College and its outstanding B.S.N. program, he enrolled at PCC. “My mother is a nurse, and I grew up hearing about the impact she had on patients,” John recalled. “There were several students from our church that attended PCC before I attended. I was desiring to study nursing and heard that PCC had a very good program.”
Tabitha, who was curious about other fields, did not always anticipate a future in healthcare. But as she neared her high school graduation, the Lord led her in that direction. She decided to study nursing since the job would allow her to minister to others. Desiring to attend a college that would support her relationship with Christ, she chose to go to PCC. “I wanted to not only get my B.S.N. but also to continue to grow spiritually, which is what attending PCC allowed me to do,” Tabitha shared.
“PCC has a nursing program that is built on excellence.”
When they met in the nursing program, John and Tabitha became fast friends as they prepared to become confident, qualified professionals. They studied healthcare technology and medication administration in the classroom and gained real world experience during hundreds of hours of clinical training. “PCC has a nursing program that is built on excellence,” John said. “In addition to training in technology, PCC trained us on equipment and foundational principles that are essential in all nursing settings.”
Becoming Medical Missionaries
As John and Tabitha grew closer, they found they shared an interest in evangelism. Since the Christian education at PCC encouraged students to consider souls, they soon saw that medicine was an excellent tool for sharing the gospel. “We were taught to care for the whole person: body, soul, and spirit,” Tabitha recalled. “It was at PCC that I realized that if we care only for the physical, while the spiritual perishes, then our work is in vain.”
“We realized that Christ was asking us to leave everything behind and completely surrender to Him.”
The pair was further inspired by Campus Church Missions Conference, a soul-stirring event where missionaries are encouraged and others can surrender to serve, and signed up for a trip to Togo. After caring for the sick, sharing the gospel, and meeting local believers, John and Tabitha knew they wanted to return and continue reaching the Togolese. “We both left Togo changed and willing to do and go wherever the Lord led,” Tabitha recalled. “Seeing missions firsthand made me realize what an impact someone can have as a medical missionary; it gives you a platform from which to share the gospel.”
John and Tabitha began pursuing a relationship after graduation and got married a year later. While continuing their education to become nurse practitioners, they revisited Togo for two more short-term missions trips before returning to the U.S. to settle down. John found a job as a family nurse practitioner, Tabitha began homeschooling their children, and they started serving at church.
Even though the Groenevelds were thriving, they felt God guiding them to return to the mission field, this time to stay. The decision was difficult, as they would have to leave family, friends, and their positions, but they agreed that they wanted to follow God above all else. “We realized that Christ was asking us to leave everything behind and completely surrender to Him,” Tabitha recalled. “We thought we had it all in the U.S. . . . but the Lord said, ‘No, I have something greater if you will just follow me.’ So, we sold our home and everything we owned and joined our mission board as long-term medical missionaries. We realized that He indeed is worthy of any sacrifice He asks of us,” she added. In 2016, they were commissioned as missionaries.
Using Healthcare to Share the Gospel
At Hôpital Baptiste Biblique, the Groenevelds’ daily tasks include caring for those in the facility, visiting the ill, and sharing the message of Jesus Christ. They also are involved in a local Baptist church where they minister to other Christians. “[Our work allows us] to use medicine as a tool to reach the Togolese people with the gospel and disciple new believers,” John said.
Working in missions is not without challenges, and John and Tabitha have found that facing these difficulties has strengthened their faith, reminding them that, above all, their purpose is to share Christ. “We have limited medications, equipment, specialists, and funding,” Tabitha explained. “While the lack of resources is at times frustrating, it helps us remember that we are not here just to provide physical care, but life changing, eternal, spiritual care!”
“In medical missions, I am able to see how God has used healthcare to bring souls to Himself.”
The Groenevelds and other missionaries freely share the gospel with hospital patients, and 14% of these visitors profess faith after their stay. Seeing souls saved is beyond rewarding for John and Tabitha. “[I love] seeing the way the gospel changes people!” Tabitha shared. “Often, patients are cold toward the message of salvation through Christ alone. But when they see the compassion of Christ through the care of our missionary team and Togolese hospital staff, they often soften to the message of Christ. To see the change in their hearts, through the work of the Holy Spirit, is astounding!”
Since they were commissioned, John and Tabitha have faithfully served in West Africa. Committing to long-term missions was challenging, but surrendering to God’s will has brought them unparalleled peace and fulfillment as they use their nursing skills to reach Togo for Christ. “In medical missions, I am able to see how God has used healthcare to bring souls to Himself,” John shared.
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.