A Pastor’s perspective on Compassion Clinics
Online to On Site
Although I’ve been an enthusiastic supporter of Compassion Connect since their inception, the opportunity to experience a clinic firsthand drove my appreciation for their organization to new heights. From a brief read of their website, one learns that Christ is the center of all that they do. Additionally, their financial statements attest to the way they admirably account and steward all of their finances.
However, true appreciation for the impact and success of their ministry can’t be understood until one participates in a Compassion Clinic. During the Downtown Clinic this past weekend I had the opportunity to walk alongside Milan Homola, their Executive Director, in a tour of the services to be given throughout the day. It was impressive. Portable dental units delivered dental care to near one hundred guests. Medical screenings played precursor to appointments with multiple different medical specialties, and a social services fair allowed people to avail themselves of valuable information and resources while they waited.
Making the Gears Turn
Despite the clinic’s impressive scale, scope and efficiency, excitement at what was happening grew exponentially when I had the opportunity to sit with those waiting to be seen. After our tour, Milan commented that all volunteers are important to the expression of God’s love at the clinic. It’s the lay volunteers who are available and eager to talk with people waiting to be seen. Despite my own personal hesitations and fears, I walked up to one such gentleman and then listened to him open up about life over the next half hour.
“Excitement at what was happening grew exponentially when I had the opportunity to sit with those waiting to be seen.”
After multiple such conversations, I realized that establishing relationships and sharing the Gospel was both natural and genuine because of all that Compassion Connect and these partnered churches were doing to tangibly demonstrate the love of God. Every volunteer had instant credibility by wearing one of the clinic’s bright-colored t-shirts. Hundreds of people giving up a full Saturday needs little explanation. After another hour of conversation with three other waiting guests, I exited knowing that because of what had happened that day in the Memorial Coliseum, lives had been touch and changed. Prior to departure, I hunted down Milan and excitedly recounted my experience, all the while he simply looked on with a knowing smile.
After leaving the clinic, first as an observer and then a participant volunteer, I’ve further solidified my own endorsement and support of Compassion Connect. Bringing churches together to demonstrate and share the love of Jesus Christ; Compassion Connect is presently doing this exceptionally well
-Brett Meyers, Door of Hope Church
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