“The Clinic’s heart is really aligned with the heart of God.” — Angie Shope
When you meet Angela (Angie) Shope, the new Executive Director of the Neighborhood Christian Clinic (NCC), one thing becomes immediately clear — her calling to serve here wasn’t an accident. It was an answer to prayer.
A Calling Confirmed in Peace
“The mission and vision of the Clinic immediately drew me in,” Angie said during our recent interview. “My heart has always been to help the poor, the marginalized, and those suffering from injustice.”
When Angie first learned that more than a million people in Phoenix live without health insurance, she was deeply moved. “I didn’t realize there were so many,” she said. “Knowing that the Clinic provides low-cost care to the uninsured and underserved — that touched my heart.”
But what ultimately drew her wasn’t just the Clinic’s compassion; it was its boldness.
“What really differentiates us,” Angie explained, “is that we don’t just provide medical, dental, and behavioral health care. Our vision is to create a movement in healthcare — to equip providers and medical staff to share the Gospel with their patients. That’s what makes NCC unique.”
After six years with Food for the Hungry, Angie intentionally stepped back to pray and seek where God would call her next.
“I was standing on Ephesians 2:10 — ‘You are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for the work He prepared in advance for you to do.’”
“Through that season, God gave me peace,” she said. “After meeting the founders and board members, touring the Clinic, and seeing the alignment of faith and vision, I just knew. For me, I follow peace.”
Restoring Health, Restoring Lives
For Angie, “Restoring Health & Restoring Lives” beautifully captures both the physical and spiritual sides of healing.
“When we’re healthy, we can be more present — for our families, for our work, and for God,” she said. “But restoring lives goes deeper. We’re whole-person beings — body, soul, and spirit. The Clinic cares for all three.”
That whole-person approach is what sets the Neighborhood Christian Clinic apart from most medical facilities. “In other clinics,” Angie said with a smile, “you wait and may see the doctor for a brief time, and that’s it. Here, we stop to ask, ‘How are you doing?’ or ‘Can we pray with you?’ That changes everything.”
Every morning and afternoon, staff and volunteers gather for prayer before seeing patients. “It’s one of the most touching things I’ve experienced,” Angie said. “You can feel the presence of God here.”
Faith in Action
When asked what Scripture captures her vision for the Clinic, Angie didn’t hesitate.
“He has shown you, O man, what is good and what the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
“That’s what I see here,” she said. “The staff, the volunteers, the founders — everyone serves with humility and love. My vision is growth — not just in patients served, but in partnerships, donors, and reach.”
She smiled as she reflected, “That’s really what drives me: to do more, serve more, and reach more for His Kingdom.”
Angie shared how one volunteer physician was so inspired by the Neighborhood Christian Clinic’s model of whole-person care that he went on to help establish a similar ministry overseas. “That story really stayed with me,” she said. “It’s the kind of multiplication we want to see — where what God is doing here in Phoenix ripples outward into other communities, other cities, even other nations. That’s the impact I pray we’ll continue to grow in.”
An Invitation to Join the Work
As she looks ahead, Angie sees the Clinic continuing to expand in every dimension — behavioral health, partnerships, and eternal outreach.
“We want to keep growing — because growth means reaching more people with Christ’s love,” she said. “But we can’t do it alone.”
Her invitation is simple: “First and foremost, pray. Prayer is what changes things. Then, if you’re a doctor, dentist, or volunteer, come serve with us. And of course, giving financially helps us reach more patients and train more providers to share the Gospel.”
For Angie Shope, leadership at the Neighborhood Christian Clinic isn’t just about running an organization. It’s about stewarding a calling.
“It makes me proud — and honestly humbled — to serve alongside such an amazing team of staff, board members, volunteers, and ministry partners,” she said. “People who use their gifts to help others and to advance the Kingdom of God.”