St Andrew’s Episcopal Church

St Andrew’s Church is a model of what a ministry driven church should be!
There is a great deal of discussion today in church circles on what the future will look like for the Sunday faithful. Well, here’s a church that figured it out over thirty years ago and hasn’t changed a thing.
Saint Andrew’s is what the Episcopal Church calls a Jubilee Mission. That’s because several of the churches in the greater Nogales area came together thirty years ago to form a mission to the physically disabled children in neighboring Mexico who needed medical treatment.
The treatment is provided by doctors offering their skills and specialties at a nominal or no cost to those in need. And, whenever there is a serious medical need that cannot be done locally, the children are flown to various Hospitals on the the west coast.
According to the church’s own website, they:
«St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic provides free, specialized medical care to children
living in Mexico who cannot get the care they need in their own country. The children have various medical problems, ranging from spina bifida and cerebral palsy to speech, hearing, and vision problems. Their parents are very poor. The Clinic is held the first Thursday of every month (except July) at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nogales, AZ. Patients number 200 – 250 each clinic day.»
«The Clinic was founded in 1973 by concerned individuals in Nogales, AZ and Sonora. When the Clinic outgrew homes in Nogales, Sonora, it was moved to an orphanage and ultimately to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nogales, AZ. In January, 1990, St. Andrew’s Children’s Clinic received an IRS 501©3 tax exempt status.»
«Over the years, many St. Andrew’s parishioners have volunteered at The Clinic and provided financial assistance. Currently, 20 – 25 parishioners work as volunteers providing assistance in roles such as doctor, nurse, newsletter editor, Board member, kitchen worker, parking attendant, and interpreter.»
It is hard to come here and not be moved by the great works being done for these children. Visitors are always welcome, as are financial contributions, or gifts of bottle water, diapers or new children toys. If you find yourself in Green Valley or Tucson, consider coming down for a visit. It will change your life forever.