Medical Teams International (MTI)

Analyst Comments [ Back to top ]

Medical Teams International listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2011 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

This ministry is called a ‘Shining Light’ because it is indeed a model of letting their light shine before men, and God is to be glorified in what they are doing. Consequently, we are shining a figurative light on them so that donors may be aware of their good deeds.

Believers are recognizable by their fruit, which includes the services they perform for Him and for others. We see a glimpse of His light and glory in this ministry and if you do too, you should feel very good about giving to it; however, only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan.

Inclusion as a Shining Light does not mean it is perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list for improvement. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose among the top.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list: (1) Transparency, (2) Truth Claims, (3) Values/ Worldview, (4) Sectors/Functions, (5) Resourcefulness, (6) Red Flag Issues, (7) Counsel with others.

A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. As is evident, we looked at many factors and as such, a high Financial Efficiency Rating was not a requirement of inclusion on this list, although most do have good ratings. Many factors were reviewed and strengths in other areas can offset weakness in financial efficiency when determining whether a ministry should be of interest to donors seeking to be good stewards of their giving. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is an outstanding example when we consider it through the lens of Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.
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MinistryWatch.com’s Take

The 911 Call for the World

“America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies.”
(President Bush, January 29, 2002 in the State of the Union Address)

Northwest Medical Teams International (NWMTI) is a Christian humanitarian relief and development service organization. Their first line of service is primarily that of a humanitarian world responder service. They send volunteer medical personnel for crisis situations, not only mobilizing retired doctors and nurses, but current medical professionals and many in an “on call” basis. Secondarily, they distribute humanitarian aid. In addition, they operate mobile dental clinic units in the United States for the working poor.

First Line World Responders

NWMTI organizes medical personnel and obtaining medical and other supplies for quick responses to worldwide disaster relief. The goal is to give assistance quickly in acute emergencies, as well as providing intermediate care until such disasters are resolved. Most volunteers are primarily from the northwestern United States, although they are seeing an increasing number of applications from around the United States. They have very little turnover among their volunteer pool. Many have served on multiple teams and are available to be deployed to disaster areas on extremely short notice (24 to 48 hours). Their medical volunteers are primarily concentrated in the physician, registered nurse, physician assistant and EMT categories. They are also seeing a growing number of trauma and grief counselors and mental health professionals volunteer for teams. None of their volunteers are paid. Determining how to use short-term volunteers to produce long-term, sustainable impact in the lives of those they serve is an on-going challenge.

In addition, NWMTI administers permanent and mobile medical clinics in third world countries. The clinics are used on an ongoing basis for the treatment of acute and infectious diseases, and for the training of local people in health care concepts. It provides resources and training in other complementary health-related areas such as family nutrition, agriculture, clean water and sanitation, and the training of community health workers. Additionally they equip hospitals in third world countries. Some of NWMTI teams include: (1) Disaster response teams, (2) Medical/ surgical teams, (3) Dental teams, (4) Ophthalmology teams, (5) Construction/ work teams, (6) Public health assessment teams, (7) Community health teams, (8) Children’s ministry teams.
In addition to NWMTI’s service function, they also act as a clearinghouse of humanitarian aid for medical and other emergency response supplies for other agencies involved with disaster relief projects. NWMTI is primarily a “service,” and secondarily distributes humanitarian aid.

Not only is NWMTI involved in the primary overseas needs, but they also operate eight mobile dental clinic units providing medical and dental care to migrant workers and other working poor in the northwestern area of the United States.

Disaster Factors

The purpose of NWMTI is to demonstrate the love of Christ to people affected by disaster, conflict and poverty. The ministry has resource limits and cannot be all things to all people in all locations. The decision-making process deciding which ones to respond to include: current level of need or projected need, relationship with capable partners, current capabilities and staff infrastructure, current role in the affected country, response from other relief organizations.

Straightforward Organizational Structure

Unlike many other “international” organizations that may have multiple organizations and many sub-parts, NWMTI is one organization. They collaborate and partner with a number of in-country organizations that provide logistical support to their volunteer teams and humanitarian aid efforts; however, their structure is as clear-cut as possible with such a reaching organization. Logistical support includes providing information on the local culture; helping with their transportation, communication, computer and translator needs; securing housing; and helping to establish security measures/evacuation procedures. They also collaborate with US-based organizations to better fulfill their mission. Northwest Medical Teams looks at several criteria before establishing partnerships with other organizations, such as: experience both in the country and in humanitarian relief work, mission and compatibility with their mission, financial viability, will the work duplicate other operations, do they complement each other’s efforts to accomplish more than they could separately. Partner groups do not need to be a Christian organization, but they do need to have a mission and purpose that are not in conflict with Northwest Medical Teams’ values and mission.

Transparent and Resourceful

NWMTI demonstrates superior openness through the degree of their responsiveness and the quality and quantity of information provided. Another aspect of openness concerning NWMTI is their fundraising material. Their fundraising material is straightforward and respectful of the donor. Pictures used in materials are generally of team members in action, performing their humanitarian task. Fundraising material contains precise information and a quality of exactness without gross emotional appeals.

Donors can be confident that NWMTI is very efficient and economical with the financial resources entrusted to them, though it is a low-overhead organization with a relatively unpredictable revenue trend. There is a number of reasons for this unpredictable revenue trend, including an increasing number of organizational competitors who are responding to international relief and development needs, and funding is often volatile for groups that respond to disasters because many times donors do not think about giving to them until a crisis is at hand. For the long-term aspects appear to be steady and slow growth, in both income and expenses; however, the short term appears very volatile as NWMTI has witnessed its revenue increases during certain crisis situations and taper off when the crisis is over in the news.

Summary

Northwest Medical Teams International (NWMTI) is a low-overhead Christian relief and development organization committed to partnering with others and helping volunteers use the resources entrusted to them to bring physical and spiritual hope to people in great need in our communities and around the world. Due to the ministry’s openness with donors, MinistryWatch.com is able to conclude that NWMTI is a ministry that uses donors’ gifts much more efficiently than the average ministry we study.