Paralife, the Organization
The Purpose of the Church
Paralife, an organization founded on the principles of cooperation and inclusivity, is a testament to the collective efforts of diverse individuals from various countries. Right from its inception, Paralife embraced a vision that united people of different backgrounds and faiths, all driven by a shared purpose: to manifest God’s kingdom on earth. It was never intended to be an exclusive organization, but rather one that welcomed individuals based on the contents of their character and their genuine desire to align with God’s will in establishing a healthcare organization in the Central American country of El Salvador.
Throughout Paralife’s journey, the emphasis was never on the church denominations or affiliations of those who offered their support and joined the cause. Instead, the organization prioritized the spirit of each person and their willingness to wholeheartedly pursue God’s divine plan in the pursuit of their shared goals for healthcare provision.
This inclusive approach allowed for a diverse range of perspectives, expertise, and experiences to converge, enriching the fabric of Paralife. The organization recognized the inherent value in the diversity of its members, acknowledging that their unique backgrounds and perspectives contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of the needs and aspirations of those they aimed to serve.
By embracing individuals from different countries and religions, Paralife fostered an environment where the collective efforts of its members were channeled toward the common goal of addressing healthcare challenges. The organization harnessed the power of unity and collaboration, recognizing that the creation of a healthcare establishment required a multitude of talents, skills, and perspectives. In other words, we recognized that the success of this new Christian organization required many different people, from different backgrounds, and with different talents and skills, and people with a willingness to work with persons who had been displaced from their homes of origin and lived in some of the most desperate conditions. God uses people to build his kingdom.
In essence, Paralife’s success stems from its fundamental belief that the demonstration of God’s kingdom on earth transcends any specific religious or denominational boundaries. By valuing the spirit and devotion of its members over superficial labels, Paralife created an inclusive and harmonious environment, where people from all walks of life could channel their energies towards achieving the organization’s noble vision.
In many ways Paralife International reflected the worldwide body of Christ, the church. In many ways, the Salvadoran church was not equipped to deal with the consequences of civil war. At this point in time, the Salvadoran evangelical church was focused entirely on growth and snatching souls from hell’s fire. It had not developed to the level of seeing itself as a caretaker for God’s creation. Conditions were moving hastily toward taking the church in that direction.
In later articles I am going to speak about the infant Beto’s death, it’s causes and it’s consequences. I wanted to use his example in this writing to show the importance of the church and its influence on the development of Paralife.
Dr. Salaverría, a local physician cooperating with the Paralife medical team working in a displaced people’s camp near the village of Santa Barbara, had rushed an acutely ill infant to a hospital in San Salvador. The next day, Dr. Salaverría returned to the community and Beto´s mother with his body. I had the sad task of placing Beto’s body in his grieving mother´s arms. Beto’s mother lived only two blocks from where the temporary clinic had been assembled. His body was not heavy, but somehow, that short walk seemed like a journey around the world. My thoughts were extremely heavy: If only his father had been around. Why had the guerrillas taken Beto’s father? Why had the government army taken the IV solutions that could have saved Beto’s life? Wasn’t there a local evangelical church that could have helped the mother recognize the health dangers that lurked within her house? If only there had been medicine! As I walked up the path toward Beto’s home, I realized that there were many conditions that took this poor boy’s life. These conditions could have been overcome had someone taken the time and energy or Christian compassion and understanding to teach Beto’s mother. Surely, she loved her little boy and surely had she known how or what to do, she would have done anything possible to save his live. As I walked up that lonely path that day holding Beto’s lifeless body, I realized that Beto did not have to die, but he did.
This was a new experience for this North American. But it was one of the many ordeals that formed in my heart a desire to do what I could to help God’s wonderful creation, humankind. One thing I could do was help the Salvadoran church see that God was concerned about the poor.
When Beto died, Paralife International was only in its developing stage, the fulfilling of a dream and a vision that had begun to form after the Jutiapa and El Espíritu experiences. But somehow, this gringo knew that Beto’s death was not necessary. At the time, I thought that Beto’s death was due to the reasons mentioned above; the Holy Spirit was about to teach me that more complex considerations caused Beto’s death. These considerations were not unsolvable conditions. Rather, these were situations giving the church an opportunity to do the same work that Jesus did on earth. Without doubt, these were appropriate conditions in which the church could not only preach the gospel of the kingdom, but it could also be an instrument that heals the sick, clothes the naked, and feeds the hungry. The opportunity for the church was much greater; it could also show its faith in Christ by working to prevent sickness. I was about to learn that the evangelical church had a role to play much greater than that of just preaching the Word. The Word, I was to learn, had a reach far beyond the pulpit.
The availability of clean water and a hygienic living environment would have been crucial in saving Beto’s life. Beto’s mother lacked an understanding of germs or bacteria, unaware that the waste left by domestic animals on their dirt floor contained harmful microorganisms that posed a threat to her and her children. Similarly, she did not grasp the dangers of consuming contaminated and stagnant water.
Her primary focus was solely on daily survival, which reduced her to a subhuman level. However, God did not create humans to be mere animals. While animals and plants are valuable and good creations, intended to support humankind, humans were given dominion over them. At the time of creation, God provided humanity with the necessary means to sustain life. Humans were made in the likeness of God, possessing inherent dignity and a self-appreciation that set them apart from lower animal life.
When poverty reduces humans to an animalistic level, their main concern becomes survival. In such circumstances, humans lose their God-given advantage over lower animals and become solely reliant on their own primal instincts. Survival becomes an individual challenge rather than a communal effort. This situation arises when Christian social ties and relationships have not been fostered among neighboring individuals. Even during extreme poverty, Christians can form communities that support one another in overcoming the challenges poverty presents. These actions exemplify Christ’s love for fellow human beings and embody the essence of life—life in God’s kingdom.
From its inception, Paralife was envisioned as an embodiment of God’s kingdom on earth. As discussed in a previous chapter, one fundamental teaching was that the church should serve as a microcosm of God’s kingdom, a community where the value of human life is recognized purely based on its intrinsic worth. In Paralife, “life” was to be discovered and shared with all those whom God brought into our path or into our microcosm. Life was understood as the gift bestowed by God during creation, and it was meant to be cherished and celebrated.
In its role as Christ’s representative and embodiment on earth, the church is called to emulate His actions of feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and alleviating suffering. It should strive to reflect Christ’s nature and deeds as accurately as possible. The primary function of the church should be centered around providing for the needs of the poor, healing the sick, visiting the lonely, and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, just as Christ did during His earthly ministry.
The true essence of the church is realized when it engages in these acts of service. By naturally and instinctively carrying out the work that Christ exemplified, the church can authentically claim that Jesus Christ is actively at work through them. Any other actions that deviate from what Christ did or attempt to imitate someone else’s model of service are merely human efforts and fall short of the church’s true calling.
To illustrate this concept, let’s consider the example of a light bulb. A light bulb’s inherent purpose is to provide light. When it fulfills this natural function, it is fulfilling its essential role. However, light bulbs can be used for purposes beyond their primary function, such as when they come in different shapes and colors. These variations are determined by external factors, and secondary purposes are imposed on the light bulb from outside itself. For instance, a specially designed light bulb may be used in a unique light fixture to add style and decoration. In this case, the light bulb serves an additional purpose apart from providing light. Its original purpose has been modified to meet the desires and preferences of those seeking more than just illumination.
Similarly, God had an original purpose for the church. This purpose was to reflect Christ’s character and to carry out His works on earth. Deviating from this original purpose means adopting secondary purposes that may not align with God’s intentions. The church must remain focused on its true calling, serving others and spreading the message of God’s love and salvation. By doing so, the church fulfills its purpose and maintains its identity as the authentic body of Christ.
The goal assigned to the North American Christian worker was not merely a vision but a comprehensive plan that served as a guiding roadmap for the establishment of Paralife, the organization. My role was to initiate the vision, create the organization, and provide guidance in its direction. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the fulfillment of the entire vision extended far beyond the efforts of one individual. The realization of this vision necessitated the active involvement of numerous individuals within the organization.
For Paralife to truly represent a microcosm of God’s kingdom, it was imperative for people from different backgrounds and nationalities—Salvadorans, North Americans, and Europeans—to come together and collaborate. The collective efforts of these diverse individuals were instrumental in bringing about the manifestation of God’s kingdom through the organization. By fostering unity and cultural diversity within Paralife, we aimed to mirror the inclusive nature of God’s kingdom on a smaller scale.
A Weighty Responsibility
People from various parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, and the United States, came together to offer assistance for the clinic project. However, it became evident that most of the support required to establish and operate the clinic came from within El Salvador. As previously mentioned, it was God’s plan for this project to be primarily driven by Salvadorans.
Numerous churches extended their help to meet the needs of the clinic. Financially, a significant portion of the funds and equipment originated from a variety of Protestant churches, Southern Baptist churches and organizations. Additionally, the operational costs were supported by contributions from Assemblies of God and charismatic churches. Generous individuals also donated towards construction necessities. From the outset, it was clear that God intended for the clinic’s operation to be a collective effort, transcending the confines of any single church group. Paralife, as a ministry, was meant to represent Christ’s body in serving those who were hurting and in need. It seemed that God’s message was that Paralife should be inclusive of diverse denominations, acting as a true microcosm of His kingdom.
During the years of construction, some individuals mistakenly assumed that Paralife was a development agency. However, this was not the case. Paralife was conceived and developed as a Christian faith ministry, which bears a distinct difference. Unlike agencies that are compelled to prioritize financial stability, meet income requirements, and engage in contractual obligations, Paralife operates both in service to God Himself and as His representative. Hence, I have always held the belief that God would provide for Paralife’s material needs. For instance, the development of building plans was determined by the availability of funds. If resources permitted the construction of a wall, we built a wall. Subsequently, when there were provisions, we proceeded with the roof installation. If we had waited until all the necessary funds were gathered before initiating construction, the realization of the Paralife clinic would still be confined to the realm of dreams and visions. Although there were occasions when monetary resources and supplies were scarce, God consistently provided. Often, His provision came in unexpected ways and surpassed our expectations.
The way God orchestrated the establishment of Paralife and the Dan Mugg Jr. Memorial Clinic goes beyond human comprehension or explanation. I am firmly convinced that it was through God’s sovereign influence and intervention that all the necessary elements were brought together to fulfill the vision. God initially impressed the vision upon my heart, and He subsequently inspired the hearts of numerous individuals to contribute their talents, labor, and financial resources to bring the vision to fruition. Moreover, God stirred the hearts of many Salvadoran doctors, nurses, teachers, technicians, and pastors to join the organization and fulfill the staffing requirements. It is crucial to understand that no single individual can be credited with bringing Paralife into existence. Paralife and its mission are a divine work of God. Therefore, the leadership of Paralife bears an immense responsibility to diligently seek God’s guidance in every decision. Paralife is a creation of the Holy Spirit, and it is imperative to ensure that such a ministry, inspired by the Spirit, never devolves into a mere human institution.
Christian Development: A Model for Latin America
As the Holy Spirit continued to cultivate the concept of Paralife, even prior to the commencement of construction on the clinic, I sensed that what God was orchestrating would serve as a model for other Latin American nations. My colleague Jorge and I had engaged in numerous discussions about the needs of displaced Salvadorans and anticipated how our development project could serve as an exemplar for others. Had Paralife been simply another run-of-the-mill development agency, it would not have possessed distinct characteristics worthy of emulation by other nations.
However, Paralife stood apart in its essence. Its essence lay in transforming individuals and guiding them to transform their surroundings. The approach to development adopted by Paralife placed Christ at the forefront. As committed Christians, we understood that true changes in a community originate from within the hearts of its people. Genuine social development starts with a change in the heart. Consequently, for true and lasting developmental changes to occur, it is imperative to address the transformation of individuals at the core. Christ is the catalyst for transforming hearts, making the process of teaching and learning environmental changes more feasible.
In 1987, a group of visitors, comprised mostly of North Americans with a sprinkling of Latin Americans, sought to comprehend our development methods during their visit to Paralife. When discussing our community development program, one of the visitors pointed out that our approach closely resembled the textbook model of development utilized by their organization. “Indeed, it is a textbook approach,” I replied. “But with one significant enhancement: we also present Christ as the ultimate model of development. As He changes the hearts of individuals, they, in turn, desire to change their environment.” Effective community development commences with a change in the heart, not the environment. It is a process that works outward from within.
Paralife was established to operate as a microcosm of God’s kingdom. Consequently, it encompassed individuals from diverse religious traditions and denominations. A visit to Paralife would expose one to a variety of theological perspectives and opinions. This multifaceted ministry possessed the advantage and strength of offering a broader view of God’s kingdom. No single denomination can perfectly encapsulate the entirety of God’s kingdom, as God has entrusted different denominations with different facets of His truth. As these various facets of God’s holy truth interact and collaborate to fulfill His purposes, the result is a more comprehensive representation of God’s kingdom.
The approach and strategies employed by Paralife in serving the underprivileged population of El Salvador serve as a model that other Christian organizations can adopt. In 1986, an international group of visitors conducted an evaluation of Paralife’s offices, clinics, and programs. Among this group was a Mexican minister who oversaw an orphanage in Júarez. Inspired by what he witnessed at Paralife, he returned to Júarez and embarked on a similar ministry. Similar instances occurred in Colombia and Chile, where individuals witnessed the impact of Paralife and subsequently initiated similar initiatives. Over the years, our methods have been embraced and replicated by individuals and organizations in Guatemala, Honduras, and even as far as Ghana in Africa. As Paralife continues to evolve and expand its ministries, more individuals will comprehend and emulate a program that could only have been initiated by the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
As of August 1992, this ripple effect of influence and replication continues to grow, with Paralife’s impact inspiring others to bring about positive change in their respective communities.
Revised August 1992
Revised January 2024 Pages 11 Words 2,961
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