IKMA FORWARD

The journey of small beginnings 

I remember when I first met Apostle John in 2011; I was still a medical student. He looked at me and said, “God has a great purpose for you in medicine.” 

As a believer, I thought I understood what he meant. Or at least, I believed I did at the time. However, the years that followed revealed that I had only a limited understanding of what those words truly meant. 

From that moment, He began teaching me about the Almighty´s purpose for medicine and what it means to practice as a medical doctor from a Kingdom perspective. Initially, my response was simple: "I just want to help people." Yet, over time, I discovered that this desire, which had been in my heart since I was five years old, was not merely a childhood dream. It was a God-given calling, aligned with a divine purpose far greater than I had imagined. It was the Creator's desire for me to serve in this capacity, bringing healing and restoration to people, first one person at a time, and eventually to nations. 

And just like my medical journey did not begin when I became a doctor, the journey of the International Kingdom Medical Association (IKMA) did not begin five years ago. It began in the redemptive heart and purpose of the Most High God, whose desire is to bring healing, restoration, and hope to nations. It did not begin on a public stage or in the spotlight. It began in a prayer closet, where a divine exchange took place. Nor did it begin with a medical doctor, a nurse, or any other healthcare professional. It began with a man who said "yes" to the Lord, choosing to be led by Him and to lead others according to His direction. The fact that this vision for healthcare was first revealed to someone outside the medical profession is remarkable and serves as a powerful reminder that this work was God's initiative from the very beginning. 

Scripture reminds us, "Do not despise small beginnings." It is often within humble and seemingly insignificant beginnings that destinies are launched and transformative journeys take shape. That will impact lives, influence professions, and bring lasting change within the medical field and nations. 

This is not merely a spiritual journey, nor is it only a professional one. As professional as it may be and as personal as it often becomes, it is a journey lived in partnership with the Holy Spirit. 

Today, we remember and celebrate these small beginnings. What was conceived in prayer, developed through purpose, and nurtured by faith now serves communities around the world. 

In 2021, the first IKMA Conference was held in Colombia. More than ten nations were represented, bringing together healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties, alongside non-healthcare professionals who shared the vision and mission of advancing the Kingdom of God through service and leadership. 

Every attendee arrived carrying a testimony of God's faithfulness. Many had overcome significant financial, logistical, and personal challenges to be present. Looking back, those obstacles seemed purposeful, as if each person was being prepared for a divine appointment. By the time everyone gathered, it was evident that God had orchestrated every detail. 

Throughout the event, a clear understanding emerged that medicine is not merely a profession but also a ministry of healing and restoration. Participants shared experiences from their respective nations, exchanged knowledge, and explored practical ways to advance Kingdom values within their fields of influence. The conference demonstrated that excellence in healthcare and commitment to God's purposes are not separate pursuits but work together in powerful ways. 

The conference was more than an international meeting. It became a place of alignment, where professionals from different cultures, languages, and healthcare systems discovered a common calling. Relationships were formed that transcended geographical borders and professional disciplines. There was also a profound sense of commissioning. Many attendees left with renewed vision, fresh courage, and a greater understanding of their role in God's plan. What began as an idea in prayer was becoming a visible movement. People who had felt isolated in their calling discovered they were part of a global family with a shared purpose. 

 The Colombia conference marked a defining moment in IKMA's history. It transformed a vision into a reality and a network into a community. It was a tangible expression of what God had been building quietly for years through prayer, obedience, and faithful stewardship. Destinies were aligned, hearts were revived, covenant relationships were established, and a foundation was laid for future generations of Kingdom-minded healthcare professionals. 

Looking back, Colombia 2021 was not simply the first conference. It was the unveiling of a movement that had been conceived in the heart of God long before it was ever seen by human eyes. 

Picture of the 1st international congress, Nov 2021, Bogota. From left to right: Dr Miguel Millan, Dr Jesualy Suarez, Dr Nohiria Grand, Dr Alfredo Abdul Khalek Ap Carlos De Léon, Ap John Boney, Dr and Ap Dr Francisco Hernandez.

The Testing and Strengthening of the Vision 

The year 2023 was a difficult one for IKMA, as our beloved founder unexpectedly ascended to glory. In the wake of his passing, the future of the organization seemed uncertain. Hearts were grieving, questions remained unanswered, and for a time, the international community stood still as it sought direction and clarity. 

Yet, as is often the case when the Lord is in control, what needed to be shaken was shaken so that what was enduring could remain. In the midst of the uncertainty, something stronger was emerging. 

From the western region of South America, the work continued with renewed strength and determination. Under the leadership of Apostle Carlos De León and our medical apostle, Dr. Francisco Hernández, the Lord preserved and strengthened the vision that had been entrusted to IKMA. Venezuela became a shining example of faithfulness to the mandate left by Apostle John. With a clear and singular focus on reaching underserved and vulnerable communities, the nation carried the torch forward with conviction and purpose. Through the mobilization of healthcare professionals and volunteers, including physicians, nurses, nutritionists, childcare workers, veterinarians, and support personnel, IKMA continued to serve communities with compassion and excellence. These teams provided essential primary healthcare services and practical support to populations that have limited access to medical care. 

What could have become a season of decline instead became a season of strengthening. The foundation that had been laid through years of prayer, obedience, and sacrifice proved resilient. 

IKMA in Venezuela, 2023

From 2024 to 2026, we have witnessed significant growth within the international community. IKMA was introduced to the East African community during the EMI Family Gathering in Kenya in April 2026 and was also presented to the EMI Leadership Gathering in 2025. 

As the Lord continues to expand His Kingdom through IKMA, we are deeply grateful for the opportunity to create a place where we can come together to connect, share information, provide teaching and courses, and pursue whatever the Lord leads us to do. Our prayer is that all of these efforts serve His purpose as we seek to advance and influence the mountain of medicine for His glory. 

IKMA in The EMI Family Gathering Kenya, 2026

IKMA in the EMI leaders gathering in South Africa

Forward 

Through a season of loss and transition, the Lord proved Himself faithful. The vision remained steadfast, the work continued, and the mission advanced, laying a strong foundation for the next chapter of IKMA's journey. The legacy of Apostle John is not merely preserved in memory; it is carried forward through action. As communities continue to be served and new leaders step into their calling, it is evident that the vision God entrusted to him is still growing and bearing fruit. What began with one man's faithful "yes" to God has become a shared mission embraced by healthcare professionals, students, and supporters across many nations. 

Today we celebrate these humble beginnings. We also honor the man whose obedience and faithful walk with the Lord enabled him to receive, steward, and pass on this vision to men and women in the healthcare field. Through his leadership, countless professionals have been inspired to integrate their faith with their vocation, bringing Kingdom principles into their personal lives, workplaces, and communities. 

Fifteen years after my first encounter with Apostle John, I found myself standing within the very vision he had spoken to me about. I had become part of a global community, joining thousands of healthcare professionals, students, and collaborators from diverse backgrounds in carrying the torch forward. What was conceived in prayer, shaped with purpose, and sustained by faith now serves communities around the world. 

IKMA is a testimony to God's faithfulness and to the lasting impact of a life fully surrendered to His will. It is a reminder that when God initiates a vision, He faithfully sustains it through the generations, expanding its reach far beyond what anyone could have imagined at the beginning. 

The legacy remains. The mandate continues. The journey goes on.