In a post-pandemic world, the emphasis on health care has been more prominent than ever. Even before the pandemic, communities in rural areas had difficulty accessing affordable, local health care. To address this issue, in 2019 Aydelotte Baptist Church formed the Engage Free Clinic and Pharmacy, a volunteer and donation driven organization that serves Lincoln, Pottawatomie, Seminole and Hughes counties.
Patients of Engage Clinics typically come from more rural areas of Oklahoma, are working class and are dealing with conditions usually covered by insurance. They also focus on working families who can’t afford health insurance. By utilizing Telehealth and Telemedicine, Engage can reach people in those rural areas and give them the health care they require.
While patients are being treated, they are asked if they have any prayer requests which are kept track of in a file. One important emphasis Engage Clinics have is making sure the focus is on patients’ health care first and foremost.
“Our whole motto is that we don’t want people to feel pressured into the Gospel,” said Frank Kelly, executive director of the Engage Free Clinic of Shawnee. “Our volunteers share the Gospel after the patients have received treatment.”
The need for free Christian health care clinics became much greater during the COVID pandemic. During this time, the Christian free clinic market was decimated leaving a gap that needed to be filled.
Some of the main causes for the closure of faith-based clinics were lack of funds and lack of volunteers.
Engage Free Medical Clinics (EFMC) was created to rebuild the market by establishing an informal association of rural free clinics that receive supplies and medications from the main clinic at Aydelotte. At the main clinic, there are telemedicine upgrades that connect to the satellite clinics and pharmacy for mail order prescriptions. Satellite clinics are currently located in Shawnee and Holdenville with plans to open one in Chandler.
Since these clinics are funded mostly by donations, EFMC has had to conduct precise planning to keep costs affordable. By combining their telemedicine upgrades with common electronics, they have been able to create an effective system that connects urban resources, including volunteers, to more rural areas. Since EFMC uses telemedicine, medical specialists from anywhere in the state can volunteer and connect with patients they may have previously been unable to see.
“A lot of the volunteers, the pharmacists, the practitioners, are medical missionaries who still go on mission trips,” said Kelly.
In the Fall of 2023, Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) began a partnership with EFMC, allowing nursing students to volunteer at Engage clinics and earn clinical hours. This partnership opportunity gives OBU nursing students a unique experience in nursing from the point of view of being a good neighbor and helping those in need. It’s a way for the students to engage in ministry while also expanding their nursing skills.
“At OBU, we like to think of nursing as not just employment, but also ministry; Christ’s hands and feet,” said Dr. Robin Brothers, OBU associate professor of nursing and community nursing course coordinator. “Engage, along with our other Community Nursing experiences, allows the students to see how they can use their degree to serve beyond a paycheck.”
Students who participate in the program are very helpful, assisting in day-to-day tasks and are willing to learn in areas where they may not be as experienced. OBU hopes to continue this great partnership and wishes EFMC will continue to grow.
“I am also hoping as Engage continues to grow and serve more areas of our region that we can expand with them in their outreach,” said Brothers. “Our Community class loves to serve! I have enjoyed Frank’s leadership and am always open for ideas where we can help in this mission.”
At its core, EFMC is a ministry effort. They present the Gospel to those who might not have otherwise heard it. While most churches and non-profits can provide food for those in need, organizations that provide medical assistance are much rarer.
“There is nothing as meaningful as healthcare,” said Bill Sisson, an Engage Oklahoma consultant. “You can go and get food anywhere, but healthcare is precious.”
As Engage continues to expand within their counties, they encourage other churches and organizations to create their own free medical clinic networks. To help make this happen, Engage will provide a free step-by-step business plan. Engage knows that starting a totally volunteer, donation driven faith based free clinic is not an easy task, so they are doing everything they can to help others start similar programs.
To learn more about EFMC or find out how to volunteer or start a free medical clinic, visit engagefreeclinic.com.
