Josh and MJ Stodghill’s story began at a high school boarding school in Alabama, where MJ told Josh early on that God had called her to be a full-time missionary. With Josh coming from a family deeply rooted in long-term missions, their shared faith and vision laid
a foundation that would shape their future together. That early friendship grew into marriage and a vibrant family, now spanning sixteen years and eight children—Madison, Malachi, Josiah, Abigail, James, Abraham, Jeremiah, and Moses. Along the way, they have
also opened their home to more than fifteen foster children, joyfully adopting two of them, and are proud grandparents to their granddaughter, Raven.
Josh placed his trust in Jesus Christ at a young age and has sought to honor the Lord in every major life decision since. He is board-certified in general surgery and surgical critical care and spent five years as a trauma surgeon at an academic Level I trauma center, caring for critically ill patients and complex surgical emergencies. Josh also has extensive experience teaching medical students, residents, and fellows, along with a strong record of academic scholarship.
In 2023, Josh and MJ traveled with several of their children to Mzuzu, Malawi, where they lived and worked for a month at the central hospital. There, God opened their eyes to the overwhelming shortage of trained healthcare providers and the urgent need for
sustainable surgical care. In 2025, the entire family returned to Malawi for another month, serving at Nkhoma Mission Hospital. During this time, Josh taught general surgery residents in the Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons (PAACS) program. Through prayer and
discernment, the Stodghills sensed God’s clear call to join this mission full-time. Josh now plans to use his background as an academic trauma surgeon to care for patients while training Malawian surgeons who will serve their own communities for generations to come.
MJ brings a lifelong passion for missions, worship, and caring for children. She holds a degree in worship leadership and is currently completing a master’s degree in worship studies and ethnomusicology. She has faithfully led worship in every church they have
attended and has poured her heart into foster care and homeschooling their children. During each visit to Malawi, MJ has taught courses at African Bible College in Lilongwe, and she believes God is calling her to continue this ministry—equipping future Christian leaders through teaching and mentorship.
As a family, the Stodghills are excited and humbled to follow God’s leading to Malawi. Their mission is to serve the Lord by providing compassionate surgical care to those in need, training the next generation of Malawian surgeons, sharing the gospel through discipleship and patient relationships, investing deeply in the local community, and teaching at African Bible College. They hope to bring healing, hope, and the love of Christ to Malawi for years to come.