Ministries of Jesus
Doctors, nurses, and volunteers unconditionally giving their time and resources for a single purpose: helping those in need of healing emotionally, spiritually and physically. This mission drives the Ministries of Jesus.
After being diagnosed with cancer, Henderson Hills Baptist Church pastor Dennis Newkirk found out how important it can be for people to get medical care and counseling to help them work through a sea of new emotions. When Newkirk’s cancer went into remission, he threw himself wholeheartedly into a new project: providing others with medical resources when they are in need. The end result is Ministries of Jesus.
Ministries of Jesus Director, Dr. David Minyard, believes in one method for easing the strains life can throw at you. Says Minyard, “What I’ve discovered is that all of us, regardless of wealth or status in the community—we need balance in our lives.”
Dr. Minyard loves contributing to Ministries of Jesus. “It is so far removed from what I used to do. This opportunity was brought to me and now I can enjoy orchestrating lives being changed. There is a satisfying aspect to helping someone take one step to living a better life.”
The efforts of the volunteers at Ministries of Jesus yielded spectacular results in 2007. That year, $1.7 million worth of free health care was provided to those in need. More than 4,000 patients have received care since Ministries of Jesus opened in 2002.
David and Marjorie Underhile, Edmond residents since 1967, found themselves on hard times when David was laid off of his job of 25 years. Around the same time, Marjorie had knee replacement surgery, was diagnosed as a diabetic, and began watching their monthly medication costs soar to over $2,000 per month.
“What were we supposed to do?” asks Marjorie with a look of concern. “Although everyone goes through tough times, we’d always been able to pay for things. Just like many people, we took pride in this. Suddenly we were faced with some tough choices.” A friend suggested they look into Ministries of Jesus. After all, situations like theirs are the reason Newkirk poured his heart and soul into Ministries of Jesus. Marjorie says, “It has truly made a huge change in our lives.”
Dr. Willie Smith, private medical practitioner and Ministries of Jesus volunteer, sees results like that everyday. Dr. Smith serves as the Ministries of Jesus medical director and the rewarding feeling he gets from contributing there makes him a diehard Ministries of Jesus volunteer. “I get the great satisfaction of having helped another person and I get the privilege of praying with each client,” he says, “There are many times that what I see God do in another’s life greatly enriches or encourages my life as well. The gift of serving is a two way street. The giver and receiver are blessed in unique and different ways.”
As the number of patients Ministries of Jesus sees at its 33rd and Boulevard location grew, space became a critical issue. One day, an anonymous benefactor walked into the clinic and asked, “What is it you need the most?” The answer came quickly: the financial stability to house all of the Ministries of Jesus services under one roof.
Ask and you shall receive. Within months, a large gift was donated to begin construction on a new Ministries of Jesus facility located on the Henderson Hills campus. The building is slated for completion this month and Ministries of Jesus volunteers eagerly await its grand opening.
Dr. Smith sees this ministry as having potential to become larger than just a local clinic. “I hope that this type of ministry and care becomes a model for other clinics throughout America,” says Smith, “We’re not taught in medical school how much the spiritual well-being of an individual can impact their health. But it can. I see it.”
Find more information about Ministries of Jesus programs, becoming a volunteer or donor at www.ministriesofjesus.com. The ministry can also be reached at 340-7400.
Ministries of Jesus Center currently has 3,900 open charts. They see each patient an average of 3.5 times. They conducted 631 new intake interviews in 2006 in which the client completes an assessment evaluating their spiritual, emotional and physical health. In 2007 they provided 1,530 medical visits, 1,166 counseling visits and
6 weekly 12 Step groups. Source: www.ministriesofjesus.com
