Daily Devotion Focusing on the Missions Supported by First Pres

Luke 10:25 -37

²⁵ Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus.^[j] “Teacher,” he said, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶ He said to him, “What is written in the law? What do you read there?” ²⁷ He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸ And he said to him, “You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.”

²⁹ But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” ³⁰ Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. ³¹ Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. ³² So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³ But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. ³⁴ He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he took out two denarii,^[k] gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ ³⁶ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” ³⁷ He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

There are people right here in Winter Haven who need medical care and cannot afford it. And there are medical professionals here in our area who answer the call to care for these neighbors at the Haley Center.

The Haley Center was established in 2005 as a medical mission serving the indigent population of Polk County who fall below the 200% poverty level guidelines, no insurance, no trauma or MVA, and meet screening criteria.

Located at 122 West Central Avenue, the Center is staffed by greater than 40 medical providers who volunteer their time on a regular basis to provide care to this indigent population. The Haley Center also provides clinical opportunities to the local technical schools and Universities for their students. These include medical doctors, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practice nurses, medical assistants, dieticians, nutritionists and clinical nurse assistants.

Currently more than 500 patients receive care, and new walk-ins are taken on a daily basis.

The Deacons of First Pres. make regular financial gifts to support the operations at the Haley Center. First Pres members also donate their time and talents to this compassion ministry.

Prayer

God, just as Jesus praised a “good” Samaritan for offering care to a neighbor in need, we lift our prayers of thanks and support for those who minister through the Haley Center. Let you flow to them and through them, we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.