At the Neighborhood Christian Clinic, we believe that health is more than a diagnosis—it’s about restoring the whole person: body, mind, and spirit. Since opening our doors in Phoenix over 25 years ago, we’ve seen firsthand how faith, medicine, and compassion come together in healing ways.
But we’re not the first to walk this path.
Throughout history, courageous Christian men have practiced medicine as a ministry—treating patients not as cases, but as God’s creation. Their stories inspire how we serve today, providing whole-person care to the uninsured and underserved.
Let’s look at four men whose legacies shaped the spiritual foundation of modern healthcare.
Luke the Evangelist: The Gospel’s Physician
Colossians 4:14 refers to him as “Luke, the beloved physician.” He was more than a follower of Christ—he was a medical professional whose Gospel account reflects detailed observation, deep compassion, and a heart for healing.
Luke likely treated wounds and ailments on the missionary journeys he shared with the Apostle Paul. But what stands out most is how he documented Jesus’ healing ministry: from raising the dead to restoring the outcast.
One of the most powerful examples?
“And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’” — Luke 8:48
This moment, where Jesus restores a woman who had suffered for 12 years, is emblematic of Luke’s emphasis on compassion, dignity, and faith in healing.
Sts. Cosmas and Damian: The First Medical Missionaries
In the 3rd century, Cosmas and Damian—twin brothers—practiced medicine in Syria. They’re remembered as the original medical missionaries who charged nothing for their services. Their witness drew people to Christ, and even under Roman persecution, they continued healing without compromise.
They were eventually martyred for their faith—but not before becoming symbols of Christ-centered healthcare without condition.
Their legacy lives on in clinics like NCC, where every patient receives care regardless of insurance, income, or immigration status.
Thomas Sydenham: Compassion in the Clinic
Known as the “English Hippocrates,” Thomas Sydenham was a 17th-century physician who brought reason, restraint, and humility to medical practice.
A devout Puritan, he believed that the doctor’s role was a sacred trust.
“There is no duty more sacred,” he wrote, “than the care of others.”
He rejected barbaric treatments like bloodletting and emphasized practical care—listening, observing, and treating gently. Sydenham reminds us that how we care matters as much as what we do.
This philosophy is woven into every exam room at The Neighborhood Christian Clinic, where dignity and listening are as essential as prescriptions and procedures.
Dr. Paul Brand: Healing the Untouchable
A 20th-century surgeon and devout Christian, Dr. Paul Brand served leprosy patients in India and the U.S. He discovered that the disease didn’t destroy tissue directly—it numbed the ability to feel pain, causing injuries to go unnoticed.
Brand saw pain as a gift from God—and he saw every patient as worthy of healing.
“Jesus reached out His hand and touched the leper,” Brand said. “I had long been aware of leprosy as a symbol of sin, but now I saw the symbol reversed.”
His faith led him to invent surgical procedures that restored function—and dignity—to the outcast.
At NCC, we carry that same spirit: healing not just conditions but restoring hope.
Bringing Their Legacy to Life at NCC
These men didn’t just treat illness. They transformed how the world sees medicine:
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As a calling, not just a career
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As a ministry, not just a model
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As a reflection of God’s love, not just clinical care
Their stories fuel our mission to provide faith-based medical, dental, and behavioral health services in the name of Jesus. Whether it’s a chronic condition, a crisis of faith, or a broken smile—we serve in the tradition of these faithful healers.
