One might think Mondays at Faith are quiet. After a full day of worship on Sundays, many ministries, staff and volunteers take a day to rest. However, there is one ministry that is very busy on Mondays. Around mid-afternoon a team of volunteers begins transforming the North Commons into a free primary care outpatient medical clinic to serve our community. This has been happening every Monday at Faith for almost seven years!
Christ Clinic was started in the fall of 2012 by two members from Faith, Rich and Kathy Simmons, with the aim to follow Jesus by providing spiritual and medical care to members of the Northern Colorado community who experience hardship in the face of illness due to lack of access to healthcare.
Rich is Christ Clinic’s medical director and Kathy is the administrator. Christ Clinic currently has 150 volunteers from 30 different congregations in our community, and half of the volunteers are from Faith. There is a place for everyone to serve at Christ Clinic. Volunteer roles include greeters, chaplains, hospitality, nurses, doctors, translators, set-up & tear-down crews, etc. It takes the gifts of many to meet the needs of patients who make appointments at Christ Clinic.
In 2016, Christ Clinic expanded beyond Monday evenings at Faith by adding a second clinic location at Mountain View Church near Old Town. This second clinic is open to patients the first Saturday morning of the month and the third Friday evening of the month. It serves those who cannot get to the Monday night clinic or who have difficulty getting transportation to Faith from the other side of town.
When asked what keeps them going as they run Christ Clinic, Rich and Kathy said, “There are still needs out there.” As they work alongside each other, they get a front row seat on this adventure of watching God work in and through them, the volunteers and patients.
Currently, Christ Clinic has a need for tear-down volunteers, phone intake nurses, a Communication and Outreach Director and Spanish translators. If you are interested in volunteering or donating needed items or if you have questions about making an appointment, please visit the Christ Clinic website for contact information, http://christclinicfc.org.