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Approximately 65,000 people in
Lancaster and Dauphin County are medically uninsured. The majority of
these people receive little to no healthcare due to the high cost of
health services. In most cases, they earn too much money to qualify for
medical benefits from the government such as Medical Assistance, yet
they work for companies that do not offer health benefits and they have
difficulty affordably paying out-of-pocket for their own health
insurance.
Additionally, many of these people
suffer “spiritual health needs” - the need for an understanding ear, a
caring touch, a kind word, and most of all, a need for the Savior
and eternal life.
It was these needs that motivated
Brian and Donita Sturgis, members of The Evangelical Free Church of Hershey, to heed the call of
the Lord in 2002 by establishing Hope Within Ministries and its first
major endeavor, the Hope Within Community Health Center. The center is
located at 4748 East Harrisburg Pike in Elizabethtown on Route 230 at
the former location of the S&T Insulation Company, approximately one
mile east of Saturday’s Market. Hope Within offers free primary
health care services to medically uninsured residents of Lancaster and
Dauphin Counties.
How does it work? Patients
receive free, high quality medical care by volunteer Christian medical
doctors and patient care providers. Pharmaceutical needs are met to
the best degree possible via donated medicines and programs that may be
available to the patients. Referrals to medical specialists
(e.g., cardiologists, dermatologists, etc.) are arranged via
relationships with other health care providers.
Additionally, during every visit (with the patient’s
permission), the provider spends time sharing the Gospel, praying
with the patient, and providing Christian literature. Hope Within’s
Director of Discipleship, Kathee Clark, coordinates follow-up and
foundational Bible studies with patients interested in discussing
spiritual matters more deeply and works closely with local
Bible-believing churches and ministries to provide continued counsel and
discipleship.
The core verse of Hope Within
Ministries is Hebrews 6:19 -- “We have this hope as an anchor for the
soul, firm and secure”. As Jesus Himself set the example during His
time on Earth, Hope Within seeks to meet people’s immediate need of
health care while sharing the hope of Christ for the future. “This,”
says Brian, “is not our ulterior motive; it is our ultimate motive.”
While this endeavor may seem recent,
God orchestrated this ministry long ago when Brian and Donita met in the
summer of 1991 while volunteering at a remote mission hospital in the
country of Togo, West Africa. They married shortly thereafter and
continued to develop their respective skills. Brian gained knowledge
and experience in leadership, finance and information systems while
serving with a non-profit mission organization for four years and in the
business world as a consultant since then. Donita served as an RN in
hospital and home care settings, then went on to graduate school and
eight years as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a local family practice.
The journey has been nothing short of a testimony of God’s faithfulness
to His calling.
Brian and Donita are quick to point
out, however, that many others, especially folks from the Hershey Free
Church such as Dean Peters and Sylvia Hernley (Board Members), Kim
Peters (Office Manager), and numerous volunteers from the Family Ties
AEF, have been part of the growth of this ministry. So much prayer,
planning, relationship-building, and volunteer work have already gone
into establishing this ministry and the efforts that will continue for
years to come. Pastor T.J. Vercouteren describes the Family Ties class
response as follows, “Hope Within Ministries has a passion for people
and bringing them to the Gospel. What can we bring to the table to help
meet that need?”
Donita explains, “A Board of
Directors surrounded us in the early days and they continue to provide
steady, prayerful oversight of the spiritual and physical development
and operations of Hope Within. Then, we were so blessed to have a core
group of staff members form together and step willingly and boldly into
their new positions and responsibilities. All along the way,
numerous people have volunteered their time and efforts for special
needs such as property clean-up work days, transportation of donated
furniture and office equipment, installation of the computer network,
and renovation of the building. Our hearts overflow with gratitude for
the service of these people.”
One of the early challenges for Hope
Within was finding an appropriate location and building for the
ministry’s intended purposes. After much searching, God provided a
beautiful 3.5 acre property with three buildings on it in
Elizabethtown. The main building houses the Hope Within Community
Health Center. It contains four examination rooms,
a procedure room, nurses’ station/lab area, small Pharmacy room,
reception and waiting area, meeting room/kitchen area, and
administrative offices. Modern, warm and inviting, it will has the
appearance and feel of a private medical office rather than a public
clinic, affording its clients the same dignity that medically insured
clients receive at their private doctors’ offices.
The property contains
two extra buildings that are leased out for income purposes -- a 9,000
square foot commercial building and a smaller office building adjacent
to the health care center. “And here,” Donita excitedly describes, “is
another example of God’s handprint on this ministry.
The financial aspects of developing
such a program may seem staggering, but Brian declares, as he often does
to the Board, the staff, and the public, “All I can tell you is that God
has met Hope Within’s financial needs every day since our inception, and
we fully expect Him to continue to do so.” Hope Within, a non-profit,
Section 501(c)(3) corporation, is funded by financial gifts from
individuals, businesses, churches, health care organizations, civic
organizations, and others as well as grants and lease income derived
from the two extra buildings on the property. Many gift‑in‑kind items
such as office furniture and equipment, medical supplies, and durable
medical equipment have been donated. And, the center’s operating model
calls for a significant amount of volunteer effort by medical
professionals and others.
Despite all the hard work and
excellent progress thus far, the ministry still has many needs at this
time. Funding is still needed to provide core staffing, meet operational expenses and retire the
mortgage. Time and talent is needed from medical professionals
(doctors, nurses, other patient care providers, and pharmacy support)
who may be able to volunteer once per month or more. And, daily prayer
support will always be needed, for the daily operation
of the Center, the cohesiveness of the staff and the volunteers, and the
spiritual needs of the patients they will serve.
God is willing and able to do great
things through those who are willing to be obedient and answer His
call. You, too, can answer God’s call for service and evangelism at
Hope Within Ministries by contacting us at 717-367-9797, via email at
donita.sturgis@hopewithin.org, or writing us at 4748 E. Harrisburg
Pike, Elizabethtown, PA 17022, to see how God would allow you to become
involved with this ministry. |
