ENGAGING GOD’S WORLD: LCS ALUMNA ABIGAIL GINN

Abigail Ginn, class of 2009, is an alumna living out the vision of LCS to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ through a career in medical missions.

“Having Christian teachers who incorporated Scripture and Biblical principles into each subject matter helped shape how I understand and apply my faith.”

Abigail (Helmker) Ginn first knew she wanted to serve in full-time missions in high school. Abigail began her time at LCS as a freshman, where she participated in basketball, softball, bowling, and the National Honor Society. Abigail values the commitment to service that was integral throughout her time at LCS. Some of her fondest memories are of Service Week, where she had the opportunity to serve the people of Lansing through various projects. “These were such valuable moments to be Christ’s hands and feet and to engage with community members who I might not have otherwise met,” she says.

After graduating from LCS, Abigail attended Olivet Nazarene University and completed a Bachelor of Science in Biology, which brought her one step closer to her dream of becoming a physician. It was also at Olivet Nazarene where she met and married her husband, Brian. After college, Abigail attended Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, followed by a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in Hospice & Palliative Medicine. She is currently working at a hospital in the Chicago area and will soon be heading overseas with her family to begin her dream of practicing medicine on the mission field.

Abigail’s husband, Brian, not only supports her calling, but is also a physician who feels called to medical missions. “I am incredibly thankful that after 13+ years of preparation, we will be moving with our son to Papua New Guinea in January of 2024 to serve as missionary doctors at Kudjip Nazarene Hospital,” Abigail says. “We will be serving in Papua New Guinea for at least two years through Samaritan’s Purse and we are hopeful to continue serving as long as God calls us to stay.”

“Since high school, I have felt God calling me to a career in medicine, and more specifically to a life of service as a medical missionary. I am incredibly thankful that my husband not only supports this calling, but he has experienced a similar call to medical missions too.”

Looking back on her high school years, Abigail shares that LCS was foundational, both academically and spiritually. “In many ways, my academic experience at LCS laid a strong foundation for my college career and beyond. I am thankful for the breadth of subjects I was exposed to and frequently find myself applying the information I learned there. The study methods I learned at LCS have helped me to be successful in college and medical school.”

Abigail’s teachers were also significant in her time at LCS. “Having Christian teachers who incorporated Scripture and Biblical principles into each subject helped shape how I understand and apply my faith,” she explains. She recalls how her Bible teacher challenged her to understand what she believed and why she believed it. “He taught me to think critically about Scripture and evaluate Biblical teachings within the context they were written in.” Her English and writing teacher also helped shape her faith. “He incorporated Christian principles into his lessons and taught me to value different perspectives. These teachers were genuine, approachable, and valued me as a student.” 

When asked if she has any advice for current students, Abigail says, “Be curious and seize opportunities to learn about and from people who are different from you. Your life will be so much richer and your worldview will be so much broader if you step outside what you know to engage with new people. And you will learn a valuable lesson by viewing a particular belief or topic from a different perspective.”