Christ Clinic, which offers affordable medical care to the poor, is located in Spokane, Washington.
Your mission statement is "Healing the body, healing the soul." What exactly are you doing there in Washington?
We were founded by four physicians who came back to Spokane after being out in the mission field and realized we had just as much need here. Now, twenty years later, we are serving about a 6,000 patient pool. We provide excellent medical care as well as counseling and spiritual counseling.
Do you feel that some people come through that have their lives spiritually altered?
Absolutely. I had a patient sit down with me the other day and tell me how our clinic helped to change her life. She lost her husband, she lost her job, so she originally came to us just for medical care, and ended up receiving spiritual comfort.
Does it bother you that some people might be taking advantage of you?
I would say no. We welcome anyone who comes in through our doors. It is Christ and the hands of Christ who provide this care to them.
We're not going to concern ourselves with the few that may take advantage of it.
Are you tied to any churches?
No. We do have a sister ministry, however. Our original counselor felt called by God to really go deeper, particularly with the women.
Christ's Kitchen was started to help the women hear and study the Word of God.
Why do these doctors and nurses do this instead of something financially
The positions are all volunteer. The practitioners that we have are all working on missionary wages. They're doing it because it's the call of God.
We feel seriously that we are to care for the poor, share our food, and provide medical care.
We have lots of clients who are really trying to make it but simply can't because of their low-paying jobs.
We're there as a safety net for them.
Is this their full time job?
No. Many of them have their own practices. This is what they do on a volunteer basis.
Some of them work one afternoon a week, some work one a month. They give whatever they can.
Is this ministry the kind of thing that could happen anywhere?
Absolutely. In any major urban area. But it takes the utmost commitment of your Christian walk and your heart.
I think if our founders could have seen the future, they may not have ever begun. They just took that leap of faith and walked step by step with the lord.
What is the biggest problem in Spokane? How can we pray for you?
We really need prayer to be able to continue the battle. A lot of our patients have lost all hope. They aren't taking care of themselves. They don't have a relationship with Christ.
That can weigh heavily on the staff, to have to carry that burden day in and day out. So prayer for our staff would be appreciated.
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