Spring 2021 Update
Anniversary
10 Year Anniversary | Good News Community Health Clinic from Andrew Cox on Vimeo.
In 2006, Dr. Bob Sayson and his wife, Alice, were exploring opportunities to serve overseas as permanent medical missionaries. Dr. Bob’s medical work had led him all around the world: from the mountains of Pakistan to rural villages in Africa to the jungles of the Philippines, and his heart was to use his medical gifts to bring healing to the most vulnerable.
About that time, Compassion Connect hosted its inaugural medical day clinic event in the Rockwood neighborhood. While serving at the event, Bob was struck by the crowd of people seeking access to simple medical care from which they were otherwise cut off. Impressed, he invited a core group of friends and mentors to pray with him about what role he might have in God’s plan to restore Rockwood.
While reflecting on Matthew 14:28 and Romans 15, Bob and Alice were compelled that this was Christ’s movement, and resolved to leave practice, downsize life, and volunteer their time and service to see Rockwood redeemed. They had no idea the movement it would inspire.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
Shortly after that decision, a donor stepped forward and acquired a dilapidated tanning salon: the site which would become the Good News Clinic. Over 100 volunteers converged on a community blight, turning it into a beautiful medical clinic.
On May 5, 2007, the clinic opened its doors to its neighbors. Since then and through the course of some 20,000 visits, the name of Christ has been lifted up in healthcare, and the hearts of some 7,000 patients have known joy and hope while experiencing physical healing. Alongside Bob, over 80 volunteers each year have carried the Good News, some 200 students have witnessed professional, sacrificial service, and the staff has expanded to grow the programs that have so blessed the community.