When God asked Noah to build an ark, it must have seemed ridiculous.
No rain.
No oceans nearby.
No real qualifications to do what God was asking.
And yet, Noah obeyed.
Thousands of years later, Dr. Dave Tellez faced a similar moment—not to build a ship, but to help build a mission.
In 1988, God planted a vision in his heart: a calling to build a sustainable movement of spiritual multiplication through the medical community. Years later, that calling became clear—God wanted a Christian medical clinic in Phoenix that would serve the uninsured, share the Gospel, and equip healthcare providers to live out their faith.
At first, Dr. Dave hesitated.
He was a pediatric critical care physician, not a primary care doctor.
He had never started a clinic before.
It didn’t make sense on paper.
But then he remembered Noah.
Noah didn’t wait to feel qualified.
He simply said yes.
Dr. Dave realized: “This wasn’t about my qualifications. It was about my obedience.” And with that step of faith, The Neighborhood Christian Clinic was born in 1999. Today, 26 years later, the Clinic stands as a living testimony that God uses faithful steps—big or small—to accomplish His purposes.
Why Obedience Matters in Faith-Based Healthcare
Obedience precedes understanding. Noah didn’t fully understand why. Neither did Dr. Dave. Neither may we. But obedience unlocks the blessing we can’t yet see.
Faith is often uncomfortable. Building an ark. Starting a Clinic. Answering God’s call in your everyday life. It stretches us past what feels safe or familiar.
We are part of something bigger than ourselves. Noah wasn’t just saving himself. Dr. Dave wasn’t just starting a Clinic. When we obey, we join God’s redemptive work in the world.
The Story of Dr. Dave and The Neighborhood Christian Clinic:
Today, that same heart of obedience fuels the Clinic’s next chapter: the launch of the Whole Person Care Curriculum—a free resource designed to help healthcare professionals integrate prayer, spiritual care, and the Gospel into everyday practice.
It’s not just about medicine.
It’s about treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—because Jesus cares about it all.
We invite you to be part of it.
Are You Willing to Step Into God’s Plan?
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Where might God be asking you to step out in obedience—even if you don’t feel ready?
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What vision has God placed on your heart that requires a simple yes?
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How can you support those who are carrying out Gospel work through faithful, small steps?
You don’t have to build an ark.
But you are called to build.
One faithful yes at a time.
Whether you pray, volunteer, or give—you are part of a story that is still unfolding.
The same God who called Noah… who called Dr. Dave…
is calling us to say Yes to the work of expanding the Kingdom, which does include healing, hope, and Gospel-centered care.
Thank you for walking with us.
Thank you for building with us.
“By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family.” — Hebrews 11:7
