(Sponsored content) – I recently had the privilege of accompanying a delegation from Hope Church – where I am a member – on a tour of CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, where I also serve on the board. We toured the Henrico clinic located on Quioccasin Road across from Regency Mall. CrossOver’s other clinic is on the south side of Richmond on Cowardin Avenue.By David BotkinsCrossOver – as we heard on the tour – is a comprehensive health provider serving over 6,000 different clients each year. They offer primary and specialty care, ophthalmology, and dental care. They also offer mental health services, HIV and OB care and have a licensed pharmacy on site. CrossOver’s social work program helps patients with needs ranging from food shortages to underemployment to the navigation of government agencies. CrossOver serves patients who are uninsured or who have Medicaid and all have incomes significantly below the federal poverty level. Patients come from over 100 countries and speak over 50 languages with Spanish, English, Arabic and Portuguese topping the list. CrossOver is serving a significant and diverse population with a myriad of health and social needs. The members of Hope Church who attended the tour were eager to learn more but unsure of what they would see. From the outside, the Henrico clinic is a humble and nondescript building. It’s easy to miss as you drive down Parham or Quioccasin. I used to pass it myself. Regularly. Without ever considering what was going on inside. As we toured, I could see the veil lifting for the delegation from Hope. We visited the reception area, medical clinic, eye clinic, and dental clinic. In each area, we saw patients interacting with CrossOver employees or some of the 275 volunteers who give of their time and talent. The exchanges were warm, and care was offered with tenderness and compassion. We could see CrossOver meeting patients exactly where they are in life.
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It was clear to me this place is really doing the Lord’s work,” said Wes Peterson, executive pastor at Hope Church. “We were impressed and inspired.”When we read the gospel narratives in the Bible, we find Jesus to be so understated. He served with humility. The biggest fanfare he ever received was from a ragtag parade of followers who laid down branches and outfitted him with a humble donkey.Early in Jesus’ ministry, a man named Nathanael heard about him. He heard his hometown referenced, and replied by saying, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Yet behind the understated and humble front were true miracles of healing.On the tour, the group from Hope saw what I already knew to be true: the same kinds of miracles are happening in that nondescript building on Quioccasin Road – miracles of healing. And they are also happening on the south side of Richmond. In another building you’ve probably driven by without thinking about it. In the summer of 2019, I was fortunate to have made a journey to the Holy Land of Israel. That pilgrimage turned the Bible into a technicolor, multidimensional experience. I came home with my faith renewed and invigorated. Soon afterwards a good friend invited me to serve CrossOver on its board of directors. I humbly agreed.Similarly, for the delegation from Hope, their tour of the clinic turned CrossOver’s work into a technicolor, multidimensional experience. In response, Hope is now planning its own involvement in CrossOver’s work by taking an active role in extending the clinic’s mission of compassionate healthcare for people in need in the name of Jesus Christ.When Nathanael asked whether anything good could come from Nazareth, his friend replied, “Come and see.”As the Easter season is upon us, like the members of Hope Church, you also can come and see. CrossOver offers clinic tours to anyone interested. Simply reach out to schedule yours. Megan Mann, director of development and communications, can be reached at mmann@crossoverministry.org.About the author:David Botkins is a 22-year resident of the Tuckahoe Magisterial District of Henrico and a native Virginian from Staunton. He has been employed by Dominion Energy since 2002 and the Office of the Attorney General prior to that.
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