New Around the Mission

Esperanza Clinic Offers Hope to the Uninsured

April 28, 2011

Being sick and uninsured is a common struggle for those struggling during an economic downturn. Uninsured residents of southwest Little Rock, Arkansas, however, no longer have to worry about medical care for sick children when the bank account is empty.

Esperanza Clinic is a partnership between six Christian congregations in Little Rock, Arkansas, that share a heart for the underprivileged and spiritually lost in their community. When Dustin Freeman, Missions and Facilities Director for St. Andrews Anglican Church, first heard about the dream of a new medical clinic, he knew immediately how the church could help.

“We have between 30 and 40 medical professionals who worship with us at St. Andrews,” notes Dustin. “I knew we could help staff the clinic.”

Shepherd’s Hope, a free neighborhood clinic in Little Rock is the model for Esperanza. Open one evening a week in a poor neighborhood, the clinic inspired people to dream about helping those with underserved medical needs in other parts of the city. The mission’s board at St. Andrews sent new board member, Dr. Douglas Blackall, a pathologist, to attend an exploratory meeting about the new clinic. He returned from the meeting with a new title - Medical Director for Esperanza. The clinic opened one year later.

Serving a predominantly Spanish speaking market in southwest Little Rock, Esperanza Clinic operates as a traditional medical office, offering appointments for five dollars at their newly remodeled facility with a regular volunteer staff one day a week. The spiritual component of healing at the clinic is intentional as well. Visible Christian materials and conversations in the counseling aspect of admissions provide opportunities to share Christ with patients.

Since opening on November 11, 2010, the clinic has exceeded projections of 25 patients per day. Volunteer workers gradually increase around the clinic and scouting for new doctors is in progress.

“Motivating the people of St. Andrew’s to serve has never been difficult. Our congregation has had a heart to reach out and love people into the Kingdom since its founding,” explains Dustin. “At Esperanza, we give the kind of care described in Matthew chapter 25 with an eye toward inviting others into relationship with Christ. This is just one of many things we do to serve our community.”

Watch this local news coverage of the opening last year to see inside the clinic.

Posted By: Cynthia P. Brust
Categories: Faith in Action