Christian Veterinary Mission (CVM) is an organization that challenges and encourages veterinarians to be instruments of Christ’s love, and facilitates expressing that love through their skill in veterinary medicine. Veterinary professionals in the mission field offer practical help to people in developing nations who rely on their animals for their livelihood. In the US, CVM spearheads effective domestic outreach programs, as well as support for colleagues serving overseas.
In FY 2007, Christian Veterinary Mission staff and volunteers asked God for guidance to bring Him glory through the profession of veterinary medicine. For the year’s theme, we settled on "Kingdom Vision: seeing the needs of the multitudes and building disciples to reach them." Stories in our monthly CVM journal illustrated our goal of not only "doing" for people in underdeveloped countries but also “teaching”— empowering them to better care for their animals and families.
This was an exciting year for Christian Veterinary Mission, as we implemented ministry programs through long- and short-term missions, in student ministry, and through professional outreach. At the start of a new academic year in Bolivia, long-term CVM fieldworker Dr. Mary McDonald hosted a pizza party for veterinary students and invited them to join an English class and a weekly Bible study. Dr. Mary notes, “God paved the way for us to visit the vet school that day.” After she shared pictures of CVM vets teaching and demonstrating modern veterinary practices around the world, one of the veterinary students accepted Christ.
CVM’s domestic programs include 3,000 pet sympathy cards sent annually to grieving pet owners; veterinary student connections on 28 university campuses where, last year, 570 students actively engaged with CVM student ministry; and outreach to veterinary professionals at 20 major U.S. veterinary conferences. At the conferences, we offer an evening seminar and a morning prayer breakfast where, last year, over 580 veterinary professionals heard the Kingdom Vision message and engaged with veterinarians around the world.
Overall, 204,000 people were challenged to serve God with their lives. As over 30 full-time veterinarians and over 200 short-term veterinary volunteers served around the world, more than 29,000 people heard the gospel message. We rejoice that God used these veterinarians’ commitments to exemplify Christ’s love: 2,200 people heard God’s invitation, accepting Christ as their personal Savior; and over 4,135 people experienced ongoing discipleship relationships with other Christians.
