Through
their passion for Christ and love for others, God led Dick and Marilyn
Patterson to begin Mission: Moving Mountains (M:MM) in 1979.
During the 1960s and 1970s, Dick and Marilyn traveled with their
children to Africa and South America, where Dr. Patterson served
communities through a portable dentistry ministry. They shared the Good
News of Jesus while relieving physical pain and suffering.
The
task became larger than one family could manage. The lines of people
with aching teeth and sick bodies grew longer each day. Sadly, many who
had received help returned to unhealthy home environments where
sickness prevailed. How could the Pattersons find time and energy to
teach preventive health care in the context of discipling others in
Christ?
After adding a degree in Public Health to his
dentistry background, Dr. Patterson’s vision took shape: a
God-centered, wholistic strategy. With the help of others who shared
this vision, Dick Patterson established M:MM and set up its
international office in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was M:MM’s first
president.
In 1982, M:MM missionaries began discipleship and
development work in Uganda, East Africa. A medical doctor, a nurse, and
two theologians began their ministry by studying the local language and
culture. Eventually, they were training leaders to impact their
communities.
God blessed those early efforts. M:MM’s vision to
work in the 50 poorest countries of the world has expanded to include
Kenya, Senegal, Ghana, and Nigeria. We have just begun to realize the
Pattersons’ dream. We believe that by faith, even faith as small as a
mustard seed, God can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).
Through
their passion for Christ and love for others, God led Dick and Marilyn
Patterson to begin Mission: Moving Mountains (M:MM) in 1979.