The History of Open Arms

The seeds of this vision for medical team evangelism were developed through many years of service in ministry both overseas and at home. In 2002, this vision became a reality when David was invited to preach in Kenya. David informed the Kenya Executive Committee that Rachel might be willing to give medical care to children, and the Executive Committee went full speed ahead planning which orphanages and schools were the most desperate for help. In the end, the Gallaghers formed an eighteen person outreach team of medical professionals, children's workers, pastors, and Christian laypeople to go on their first joint medical-and-Christian-ministry trip to the city of Eldoret, Kenya, in January of 2002.

The results were amazing! The medical team treated more than 400 orphaned children for malaria, typhoid, upper respiratory infections, ringworm, and other infections. They were supplied with enough donated medical supplies that they were then able to leave the local doctor with enough to last over the course of the next year. The children's team went to ten schools in a five-day period and 500 children accepted Christ! Two pastors led a three-day seminar and then gave many of the Kenyan pastors a brand new Study Bible. Most of the pastors had never received any formal Bible training and did not own a Study Bible, so this was a valuable gift for them. More than 5,000 people attended the outdoor festival each night. Almost 600 accepted Christ during the five-day outdoor festival. After the team arrived back home, they were sent a report that in the area churches, 3,900 people gave their lives to Christ in the two weeks following the outreach.