Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons
The information on this page was last updated 2/16/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
What if you needed surgery and there were only a handful of surgeons for an entire country?
Unfortunately, this is a painful reality in many African countries. Fifty-six million people in Africa are in need of surgical care. 93% of sub-Saharan Africa does not have access to safe surgical, anesthesia, and obstetric (SAO) care that is timely and affordable. In many places of Africa, there is only one surgeon for a population of 250,000. In other areas, it is even worse. There may be only one surgeon for a population of 2.5 million people.
The Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) is a strategic response to the need for surgeons in Africa. We are a non-denominational, multinational service organization training African physicians to become surgeons who are willing to remain in Africa to meet this need. PAACS also disciples these residents to share the love and gospel of Jesus Christ with their patients. The surgical and spiritual training of these residents is offered at several well-established evangelical mission hospitals in Africa, under the direction of experienced, board certified missionary surgeons.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons
PO Box 735262
Dallas, TX 75373-5262
Website: paacs.net
Phone: 847-571-9926
Email: https://paacs.net/who-we-are/contact.html
Organization details
EIN: 842569391
CEO/President: Susan A. Koshy, JD, MPH
Chairman: Dr. Samuel Thompson
Board size: 18
Founder: Dr. David Thompson
Ruling year: 2020
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 2020
Purpose
PAACS envisions a growing number of African surgeons and related specialists living out the Gospel and ministering to the sick.
Mission statement
PAACS' mission is to glorify God by training and discipling African surgeons and related specialists to become Christ-like leaders and servants providing excellent and compassionate care to those most in need.
Statement of faith
We believe that the Bible, in its entirety, is the only inspired, inerrant Word of God.
We believe that there is one God eternally existent in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ is God the Son, born of a virgin, who willingly died on the cross for the sins of all people and rose from the dead to sit at the right hand of the Father.
We believe all of mankind is by nature sinful and consequently separated from God.
We believe that the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life come only through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Those who have repented and have placed their faith in Jesus Christ are born again believers.
We believe the Holy Spirit, as a person of the Godhead, is sent by Jesus Christ from God to convict the world of sin. He regenerates those who repent of sin and believe in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit instantly indwells believers, becomes their teacher, and empowers them to live a life pleasing to God.
We believe in the personal return of Jesus Christ to reign in power and glory on the earth and to judge all people. Those who have believed in Christ will receive eternal life. Those who have not will be eternally separated from God.
We believe in the unity of all believers. They share the common goal of together becoming fully devoted followers of Christ who love, worship, and obey Jesus Christ as the Son of God.
We believe that it is the responsibility of all believers to proclaim His gospel, make disciples of all nations and respond with compassion to the suffering of all people in the ways that Jesus did.
Transparency grade
A
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Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Foreign Missions
This ministry has not been rated.
Financial ratios
Financial ratios for this ministry have not been calculated.
Financials
Financials for this ministry have not been collected.
Compensation
Compensation data for this ministry has not been collected.
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 2/16/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Dr. David Thompson was the only surgeon at Bongolo Hospital in the jungles of Gabon. He faced the reality that if he died, or left the mission field, he would leave little legacy and would have made little impact on the great need for surgery in Africa.
In 1996, at a continuing medical education conference in Kenya, Dr. Thompson shared his vision with a group of missionary surgeons from several African mission hospitals. They responded with enthusiasm and formed a steering committee. Initially, ten mission hospitals expressed interest, but then the realities of the magnitude of implementing this vision became evident - only three hospitals were able to start training residents. Sadly, for various reasons, two of the programs had to close shortly. The fledgling program at Bongolo limped on, graduating its first surgeon in 2002.
Prior to the graduation of the first fully-trained resident, Loma Linda University had agreed in principle to provide a diploma to PAACS graduates but the loose organizational structure of PAACS was of concern. In response, The Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA) created a new organizational concept, and PAACS became a council of CMDA in 2001. Loma Linda University has been a valued partner since that time. The first inspection tour of the PAACS system by LLU was made in 2002.
In 2001, PAACS became a council of the Christian Medical & Dental Associations (CMDA). After an inspection tour of the PAACS system in 2002 by Loma Linda University (LLU), the PAACS training program received accreditation. Originally named the Pan-African College of Christian Surgeons (PACCS), in 2004, the name was changed to the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons. PAACS became a commission of CMDA in 2007.
PAACS was a ministry of CMDA from 2007 to 2020. On July 1, 2020, PAACS became an independent ministry, serving the Lord as a stand-alone organization, training and mentoring African physicians as surgeons to care for the poor and share the love of Christ with those in need.
Program accomplishments
As of January 2023:
153 surgical graduate certificates issued
20 countries with graduates serving as surgeons
11 countries with training programs
23 training programs
150 residents in training