What’s your role as the stakeholder for Siloam Health?

I see myself as a conduit for information both from Siloam Health to Fellowship Bible Church and from Fellowship to Siloam Health. I desire to keep Fellowship informed about what’s going on at Siloam Health, what our needs are, the changes that are happening, how we’re seeing the Lord work and how Fellowship can specifically pray for Siloam Health. Likewise, I want to keep Siloam Health informed about what’s happening at Fellowship–things like what Fellowship is doing locally, what’s happening in the church, and how Siloam Health can pray for Fellowship–I’m the “connective tissue” between the two organizations.

How long have you been at Fellowship? What has your experience been like at Fellowship?

I’ve been a member at Fellowship for almost nine years. My experience has really been wonderful. What initially drew me to Fellowship was the teaching and authenticity. Early on I experienced pastors being open with real things in their life and that level of transparency being welcomed. For years I co-led a community group of women (my age) and they became true community to me. Although we no longer meet in an official capacity they represent the most authentic community I’ve experienced to date. In many ways, Fellowship has served as place of healing, learning, and growth for me.

What is your day job?

I am the Director of Development at Siloam Health. Siloam Health depends on the generosity of the community to provide whole-person health care to 5,000 uninsured people each year. As the Director of Development, I oversee our fundraising efforts and focus on ways to raise awareness about Siloam Health in the community.

Why Siloam Health? What makes this partnership matter for Fellowship?

The idea of Siloam Health began with one doctor dreaming during a church service about what it would look like to provide care of those falling through the cracks of the health care system. It was from a simple note passed during a church service that Siloam Health was born at Belmont Church in the early 1990s. Our roots are in the church and partnering with churches. It’s still a priority today, which makes our partnership with Fellowship so important.

As I understand, one of Fellowship’s priorities is to fulfill the great commission by making disciples of all nations. Fellowship does that so well by our strategic overseas partners, but, did you know that one in eight Nashvillian’s is foreign born? Siloam Health’s mission is to share the love of Christ by serving those in need through health care. Almost ninety percent of Siloam Health’s patients are foreign-born, representing over 80 countries and speaking over 70 languages. The partnership between Siloam Health and Fellowship provides a unique opportunity to serve and reach the nations right here in our community.

What are your goals as stakeholder?

I lived in Nashville for seven years as a globally-minded Christian and didn’t know Siloam Health existed. One of my main goals is to bring awareness to Fellowship members that Siloam Health exists and is meeting a critical need in our community. There are currently 70,000 people in Middle Tennessee that do not have insurance. Some of the most vulnerable amongst an already vulnerable uninsured population are immigrants and refugees. To bring awareness to Fellowship that this need exists in our community and inform them about the ways Siloam Health is meeting that need. I also hope to connect people in meaningful ways to Siloam Health whether that be through volunteering in the clinic or serving on a committee.

It’s also the desire of Siloam Health to serve Fellowship so another goal I have is to discern what that looks like. Siloam Health feels strongly that the church isn’t here for Siloam Health but Siloam Health is here to serve the church.

What are some current ways to serve?

We need volunteers who are medically trained (physicians, nurses, physical therapists). We always need prayer intercessor volunteers who can pray over our patients, staff, and our building. In the next few months, we hope to unveil new opportunities for Fellowship to serve, especially for small groups. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering at Siloam Health, please visit www.siloamhealth.org/volunteer.

Siloam Health is also experiencing a significant financial need due to recent executive orders concerning refugees. Now, more than ever, we are depending upon the generosity of the church to help us provide whole-person care to the most vulnerable in our area. If you are interested in supporting Siloam Health financially, please visit www.siloamhealth.org/give.