SEBRING (FBC)—Hopeless and hurting after being diagnosed with a brain tumor, Robert Roger’s suffering was further aggravated when hospitals denied him treatment. Unable to pay for his medical treatment, he was left to wonder if he would live or die.

His pain and desperation were soon replaced with the hope of Jesus Christ through the Samaritan’s Touch Care Center of Sebring.

“If it were not for this clinic I probably wouldn’t be here right now because no one else would treat me,” said Roger, a recent immigrant from Puerto Rico. “It is a miracle!”

The clinic’s medical team enlisted local physicians who donated their services to treat the immigrant, performing life-saving surgery to remove the tumor. Roger continues to receive follow-up care at the clinic.

The Samaritan’s Touch opened May 2007 as the first Christ-centered, free primary care center serving Highlands County. An outreach of the First Baptist Church of Avon Park, it represents the fulfillment of a vision by Pastor Vernon Harkey who secured funding and developed the plan for the clinic.

The center treats patients who have no medical insurance and whose income is at or below the150 percent level of Federal poverty guidelines.

“These are people who have no medical safety net, the ones who fall through the cracks,” said Diana Furr, executive director of the clinic. “We have patients with crushing physical problems, difficult lives. They’ve been turned away from other places. They have been looked down on because they can’t pay their bills. They come feeling God has forgotten them.

“We try to help them experience His love with the medical and spiritual care we offer.”

In Highlands County, a community that is home to many migrant farm workers, blue-collar laborers and farmers, inexpensive healthcare is limited and the many people who live well below the poverty level cannot afford medical services. It is those lives this clinic is trying to transform.

The care given to Roger and the other patients goes beyond the physical. Each patient has the opportunity to sit down with a chaplain at the time of their visit to discuss their spiritual situation and receive prayer.

“When I came here, I gave my soul and heart to God,” said Roger. “It’s been very beautiful. I feel relaxed, happy and motivated. God works in mysterious ways.”

Since opening, the clinic has provided free medical care to more than 620 patients and donated more than $160,000 in direct care services to the community. Additionally, indigents served by the Samaritan Clinic have reduced the demand upon tax supported emergency room services. The clinic’s free services have resulted in an estimated $1.3 million savings in taxpayer support.

“The mission field is wherever there are people who need the Lord,” said Furr. “Highlands County is an international mission and we are serving people of different cultures and different languages.”

The clinic, operated by a staff of eight and volunteers, provides free medical exams, lab testing, prescription medications and health education. The land and building that accommodates the clinic, as well as the furnishings and equipment, were all donated. The facility houses two patient rooms, an eye-care room and a prayer room but the potential exists to expand the building onto two adjoining lots.

“The Lord’s presence in this has changed us,” said Furr. “It is not only our patients but those who serve here, because we all need the healing touch of the Lord.”

Highlands County physician Jose Pena, who serves as the clinic’s medical director, donates his medical expertise because it is “the best way to give back to the community.”

“I have been so impressed with what the [First] Baptist Church is doing here and believe they are leading in helping these people,” said Pena, who was recruited by Pastor Harkey. “They have done so much good for this clinic. I am proud to be associated with Florida Baptists.”

In its early stages, the ministry

received counsel and advice from the Florida Baptist Convention’s Health Ministries Network. In 2008, the clinic received $3,295 from the Maguire State Mission Offering, money earmarked for the clinic’s prescription program.

For seven years the Maguire State Mission Offering has funded a most of the 14 Florida Baptist churches and associations that provide medical clinic services to the economically disadvantaged. All of the clinics depend on grants and gifts to underwrite operating expenses and purchase needed medications to fill prescriptions for financially struggling patients.

“We have patients who cannot afford the medications they need,” said Furr. “Because of the generosity of the money we have received from this offering, we can purchase prescription medication that we can then give away.”

“Apart from the Lord we can do nothing,” said Furr. “What is happening here is by the Lord’s grace and all glory goes to Him. What a privilege He gives us to participate in this ministry and not just here, but all over the state, all over the world.”