Dr. Rebekah Naylor of the Southern Baptist Convention’s International Mission Board (IMB) visited William Carey University Nov. 28-30 to talk about her experience as a medical missionary – and how students and faculty can get involved in international medical missions.
Naylor served as an IMB missionary in India for decades. She’s now director of global health strategies for the International Mission Board and returns to India frequently to support Bangalore Baptist Hospital’s ministry and outreach. Naylor’s visit was part of Medical Missions Emphasis Week at WCU’s Hattiesburg campus.
“My visit to the WCU campus was inspiring and encouraging as many students in healthcare disciplines are interested and exploring a call into mission service,” Naylor said.
Over the course of three days, Naylor spoke with nursing and physical therapy students from the College of Health Sciences, doctors-in-training from the College of Osteopathic Medicine, and biology and immunology students from the School of Natural & Behavioral Sciences.
She visited WCU’s Baptist Student Union and talked with students from the Cooper School of Missions and Ministry. The high point of Naylor’s tour of William Carey came when she addressed hundreds of students gathered for chapel at Thomas Fine Arts Auditorium.
"Dr. Naylor never fails to stir up our student body with her passion for medical missions. Her chapel address was powerful, and her lectures were inspiring. God has blessed WCU with more than 1,700 students in our medical school, physical therapy, pharmacy, pre-med and health sciences. We are grateful for this partnership with the IMB as we seek to reach underserved people around the world," said Dr. Brett Golson, dean of the Cooper School of Missions & Ministry.
Elaina Hollis, a senior studying biology at WCU, plans to attend medical school and specialize in obstetrics and gynecology: “Dr. Naylor’s story about her involvement in medical missions has opened my eyes to the possibilities of helping people medically at an international level.”
Medical Missions Emphasis Week follows a new partnership between the International Mission Board and William Carey University. Signed in April 2022, the partnership fosters opportunities for William Carey’s faculty and students to serve internationally in healthcare missions, encourages students toward a commitment to mission service, and allows IMB to provide vision and open pathways of service.
For more information, email WCU’s Cooper School of Missions & Ministry at
cooperschool@wmcarey.edu or call (601) 318-6115.
In the photo: Dr. Rebekah Naylor, center, visits with WCU students during Medical Missions Emphasis Week. Pictured with Naylor are, front row from left, Rana Abozeed and Sarah Funk. In the back row are: WCU President Dr. Ben Burnett, Michael Domke, Christina Beaman, Kaylee Hodgins, and Dr. Brett Golson, dean of the Cooper School of Missions & Ministry.
