A Willing Servant: Dr. David Thompson and the Movement That Transformed Healthcare in Africa
Dr. David Thompson joins host, Dr. Mike Chupp, for a powerful conversation tracing his journey from war-torn Cambodia to the remote jungles of Gabon, where a simple conviction that Africa needed its own surgeons grew into one of the most transformative medical mission movements of our time. In this episode, Dr. Thompson shares how God’s faithfulness carried him through danger, loss, and the unknown, ultimately leading to a vision that is reshaping surgical training across the continent. His story is a compelling reminder of what courageous obedience can accomplish and an encouragement to all who serve in healthcare and on missions.
During this wonderful season, we at CMDA have so much to be grateful for. For 94 years, CMDA has remained faithful to the gospel of Christ and our mission to educate, encourage, and equip Christian healthcare professionals to glorify God. We are incredibly blessed to have spirit-filled leaders among our trustees, state representatives, local council members, and hundreds of dedicated volunteers, as well as our wonderful staff who serve here in Bristol at the national headquarters and across the country. Thank you to everyone who has already given a gift to help us meet our $1.3 million giving goal by December 31. cmda.org/donate.
If you’d like to purchase Dr. David Thompson’s new book The Curse of Bungalo Falls, you can find it through Trinity Alps Media at: https://trinityalpsmedia.com/product/the-curse-of-bungalo-falls/.
Discover how Dr. David Thompson’s unwavering faith guided him through challenges to build a legacy of healing in Africa. His story reveals the power of commitment and purpose, as he navigated cultural, logistical, and personal obstacles to bring life-saving care to those in need.
We want to highlight an opportunity that may be a meaningful next step for some of you. Applications are now open for the CMDA Mentoring Academy 2026–27, a year-long journey designed to help Christian healthcare professionals grow spiritually, professionally, and personally through one-on-one mentoring and blended learning. The program runs April 2026 to April 2027, launching at National Convention, with about 44 hours of in-person, virtual, and self-study components. Eligible applicants include physicians, dentists, and advanced practice providers who desire to grow as disciple-makers. The application deadline is December 31, 2025. Learn more and apply at cmda.org/mentoring/applicants, or contact Dr. Francis Nuthalapaty with questions at [email protected] or 864-436-9323.
Video Podcast:
Meet Our Guest(s):
Dr. David Thompson was born in Pittsburgh, PA on June 21, 1948 to missionary parents who were assigned by the C&MA to Cambodia. His call to missionary medicine occurred when he was 14 and saw a severely injured Cambodian man die. His parents moved to Vietnam in 1967, and while he was a pre-med student at Geneva College, they were martyred. After earning a medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh, he began a residency in surgery in San Diego. He and his wife Rebecca married in 1971, and in 1977 they moved to south Gabon where they founded Bongolo Hospital. In 1996, with help from CMDA, he helped establish the Pan-African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS), starting at Bongolo Hospital in Gabon. In 2013, the Thompsons moved to upper Egypt and established a PAACS program at Harpur Memorial Hospital. They retired to Redding, CA in 2018.
