Watch the Story Unfold
To see where we started and where God is leading, watch our short film:
Our History: Serving the Uninsured and Underserved in Jesus’ Name
You’ll meet the founders, see the early days, and witness how prayer and perseverance built one of Arizona’s most impactful faith-based medical ministries.
“He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” — Luke 9:2
Twenty-six years ago, a handful of doctors and volunteers in downtown Phoenix opened their doors for the very first time. They called it the Neighborhood Christian Clinic, and they had one simple goal: to serve the working poor of Phoenix with the love of Christ.
After months of prayer, planning, and preparation, they were ready. The exam rooms were stocked, the volunteers were trained, and the team waited for the “herds and the masses” they hoped would come.
That evening, three patients walked through the door.
It may have seemed small, but heaven celebrated a beginning.
A Vision Rooted in Faith and Dignity
From the start, the Clinic’s founders wanted to offer more than medicine. They envisioned a place where faith and healthcare walk hand in hand, where every patient is treated not as a number but as a child of God.
As Dr. Paul Lorentsen shared in the Clinic’s early film, “The clinic was set up to serve the needs of the working poor—people who don’t have medical insurance.” To preserve dignity, patients were asked to contribute a small fee—just $20 then, and still only $40 today.
That modest payment has never been about profit; it’s about partnership. It gives patients ownership in their care and reinforces that they are worthy of respect and compassion.
“Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40
From a Swamp Cooler to State-of-the-Art Care
When the Clinic opened its first location in 1999, it was cooled by a swamp cooler and powered by faith. Today, it’s a state-of-the-art medical and dental center equipped with digital x-rays, lab services, and specialty referrals—still made possible through volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, and community support.
Each week, patients come seeking more than physical healing. They find hope, prayer, and a staff who points them toward the Great Physician. One volunteer said it best:
“The people that come here are grateful. They’re kind, they’re gracious, and we’re able to address both their medical needs and their spiritual needs.”
The Numbers Tell the Story
The growth has been nothing short of miraculous.
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In October 2025, the Clinic provided 675 medical visits and more than 1,000 total visits including dental care.
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Since opening night in 1999, over 16,000 patients have received care.
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This year, the Clinic will surpass 10,000 patient visits, the most in its history.
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Thousands of volunteer hours from medical and dental professionals fuel this ministry every year.
Yet the need has never been greater. Arizona ranks near the bottom nationally in access to affordable healthcare, and countless families still struggle without insurance. Every week, people are turned away simply because there aren’t enough resources to serve them all.
Your prayers and support help us bridge that gap—so no one seeking help leaves unseen or unheard.
Beyond the Walls: Whole-Person Care and the Gospel
The Clinic’s mission has never been limited to one building. From the beginning, it has been a training ground—equipping medical professionals to share the Gospel through healthcare.
Through a partnership with Grand Canyon University, the Clinic created a Whole-Person Care Curriculum that trains doctors, nurses, and healthcare students across the country to integrate faith and medicine.
As one student shared, “It is easier than I ever expected to bring Christ into a medical visit. It gives patients freedom in Christ—and that changes everything.”
Four courses are already live online, and the fifth course will launch soon, helping spread Christ-centered healthcare far beyond Phoenix.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” — Colossians 3:23
A Testament to God’s Faithfulness
Over the years, miracles—big and small—have marked the Clinic’s journey. From volunteers who became staff, to patients who became believers, to donors who quietly sustained the work for decades, the story is the same: God provides.
When the Clinic outgrew its first space, funding arrived in record time for a new facility. When equipment aged, a faithful couple stepped forward with a gift that rebuilt the dental wing from the ground up. Every time the need seemed greater than the resources, God used His people to meet it.
“My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19
Be Part of What God Is Doing Next
The Neighborhood Christian Clinic continues to be a beacon of compassion—healing body, mind, and spirit—for those who have nowhere else to turn. But we can’t do it without you.
Your gifts help provide life-changing care to the uninsured, train the next generation of Christ-centered healthcare workers, and remind every patient they are loved by God.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6