Neil Reid shares his personal experience.
Laurell picked up her phone, looked over at me in the kitchen, and asked, “Neil, do you think I should remind ‘Semhar’ about the Amen clinic?” She was a neighbor we had met 20 years ago. I nodded and Laurell dialed her number. “Hi Sem, did you see the door hanger that Neil left on your door about the free health clinic?” Sem said, “No.” In the background, Laurell heard her 12-year-old son shouting, “Mommy, I showed you the door hanger, but you said it was nothing.”
The Share Hope Atlanta Amen Free Clinic was not “nothing.” It was the largest Seventh-day Adventist initiative in Atlanta, Ga., since July 2010, when the city hosted the 59th General Conference sessions. Over the three-day period of September 24, 25, and 27, Georgia-Cumberland Conference, in collaboration with It Is Written, sponsored the Share Hope Atlanta Amen Free Clinic at Atlanta Belvedere Church in Decatur, Ga.
The Great Need of the People
In total, more than 800 individuals were served. One 81-year-old individual drove almost 4 hours from Valdosta to get medical care. Parents, couples, and singles across the age spectrum braved the chilly morning air, praying that they would be among the first come, first served group. Many who arrived when the doors opened left disappointed at the sight of the lines. Several early birds even showed up the night before.
The Great Compassion of the Providers
In total, 535 compassionate physicians, dentists, ophthalmologists, nurses, mental health specialists, pastors, and other volunteers assisted with the clinic. They included the regular Amen clinic supporters and first-time participants like Atlanta Adventist Academy students, area Pathfinder club members, and curious individuals from other Christian denominations who had heard about the event on social media. One blind woman found her way to Atlanta Belvedere Church and volunteered to do anything. A newlywed couple also came and would not leave until the clinic was over.
Semhar did not make it to the clinic, but she is eagerly awaiting the next one.
Georgia-Cumberland | November 2026
Comments are closed.