This is a guest post written by our friend and colleague Tim Dammon. Tim as present the other day at the Ribbon cutting ceremony and had a little hand in it. Here's his guest post today.
“At
ECHO we’re crazy. Crazy enough to believe that when Jesus said, “Heal the
sick,” He meant it. Crazy enough to believe that when He said, “If you want to
honor me, serve the poorest and least influential in your community,” that He
intended for us to do just that. And crazy enough to believe that we can find
10,000 congregations in America who agree with us. We only have 9,999 to go.
This week, Seacoast Church opened the Dreamcenter Clinic in North Charleston,
South Carolina. ECHO (Empowering Church Healthcare Outreach) is proud to have
helped facilitate the planning and launch of that clinic.
Founded just a year ago, ECHO offers consulting and support
services at no cost to churches who are willing to plan and launch clinics to
deliver healthcare to the financially struggling men, women, and children in
their communities. ECHO’s ministry is as much to the church itself as it is to
the people who need access to healthcare. Pastors Greg and Geoff Surratt,
Campus Pastor Sam Lesky, and a number of volunteers at the Dreamcenter clinic
opening told us again and again what a phenomenal effect the planning and
execution of the clinic launch have had on Seacoast Church. A renewed sense of
passion for the community has driven an incredible response in financial,
volunteer, and prayer support and unleashed a whole new wave of ministry for
Seacoast congregation members.
ECHO is facilitating a dozen or so other similar projects
across the nation (okay, so I exaggerated earlier – there are only 9,988 to go –
better hurry and get your name in) and believes that if we can get 10,000
churches involved in this ministry we can improve access to healthcare for 20
million people. That’s nearly half of the uninsured in America. Think of it!
With just over 3 percent of American churches engaged, we can solve half of the
national problem! Imagine what we could do if some huge proportion like . . .
TEN percent were engaged!
I know. It’s a radical idea. It’ll never work. The CHURCH
taking responsibility for their community? No one has EVER suggested that
before!!! But just in case any of you radical types out there want to join us
in this insanity, you can contact us at www.echoclinics.org .
By the way . . . at the ribbon cutting ceremony, Pastor Greg
Surratt said that it was his vision to have all thirteen Seacoast campuses
provide access points for healthcare for those in need around them. So that’s
only 9,976 spots left. Better hurry.
Jesus said, “Heal the sick.” You’re called to do it. We’re
called to help.
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