Cchftalk

What does it look like to live without worry when the work is heavy, the days are long, and the future feels uncertain? In this episode of CCHFTalk, we begin with Jesus' words from Matthew 6—"Seek first the Kingdom of God"—and reflect on a Savior who understands exhaustion, sorrow, and the weight of human life.  Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor Adrienne Lambert, MA, LCPC shares her personal and professional journey in mental health care, offering practical, faith-rooted tools for sustaining joy and peace over the long haul. From journaling and reflection, to staying connected to our true power source, building healthy community, guarding our hearts from negativity, and learning to walk our own God-given path—this conversation speaks directly to students and professionals serving in demanding healthcare contexts. Whether you are feeling weary, questioning your calling, or simply in need of renewal, this episode is a reminder that God is present in the storm, faithful in every season, and actively at wo

In Week Two of our 2025 Advent series, Dr. Robert Campbell explores Justice and Peace as a lived Advent calling for followers of Jesus in healthcare. From the prophets to the Beatitudes, from Afghanistan to Augusta, he unpacks biblical justice and true shalom, and why there is no real peace without justice. With stories from Christ Community Health in Georgia and a practical framework of prayer, obedience, relocation, redistribution, reconciliation, and revival, Dr. Campbell invites students and clinicians to become peacemakers in communities where "things are not as they ought to be."   _____________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage, and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor and marginalized. CCHF's Vision: We envision a movement of God's people who choose daily to promote healing in marginalized communities in the name of Jesus. To

In this Advent Week One episode—Hope—family physician Dr. Tim Leaman of Esperanza Health Center (Philadelphia) invites us into an honest, Scripture-rooted reflection on what it means to find hope in places marked by despair. Drawing from 20 years of caring for patients in Kensington and North Philly, Dr. Leaman speaks candidly about the deep wounds of inequity, addiction, violence, racism, and loss—realities he and many in Christian Community Health Fellowship experience daily. But he also reminds us: we do not come without hope. Hope that laments. Hope that acts. Hope that waits. Hope that remembers. Hope that listens. Through Jeremiah's lament, Peter's resurrection hope, and the Spanish word esperanza—a word that means both to hope and to wait—Dr. Leaman calls us back to the unchanging character of God and the finished work of Jesus. For every weary caregiver entering Advent, this episode offers a powerful reminder: our hope is not a feeling or a wish—it is rooted in who God is and what Christ has already

Whether your clinic is small, midsize, or massive, your staff is your most valuable asset. From patient care outcomes to mission fulfillment, our success depends on those who make the clinic their workplace. However, as teams grow and expectations and norms around work continue to change, creating a thriving staff culture becomes more essential and more challenging. This session will provide a framework for thinking about staff culture in terms of health care outcomes, review current trends, and discuss innovative strategies to build a positive staff culture. This session recognizes that none of us has the answer, but seeks to create a space for sharing of best practices and identifying areas for growth. This episode was a workshop presented by Breanna Lathrop, DNP, MPH, FNP-BC, and recorded at the 2025 CCHF Conference.  ___________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage, an

In this enlightening episode, we explore the profound concept of serving the workforce as an act of worship. Join us as we delve into the roles and responsibilities that transform everyday work into a spiritual offering. From healthcare professionals to community leaders, discover how integrating faith and work can lead to a more fulfilling and impactful career. Tune in to hear inspiring stories, practical insights, and the transformative power of viewing work as worship. This episode was recorded at the 2025 CCHF Conference presented by Kayla Gleason, MSL.  ___________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage, and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor and marginalized. CCHF's Vision: We envision a movement of God's people who choose daily to promote healing in marginalized communities in the name of Jesus. To learn more about Christian Comm

Beyond the Chair: Faith, Dentistry, and Community Impact Join us on CCHF Talk as we dive into the inspiring journey of Katie Musser, DMD, the CMDA Dental Residency Liaison. Discover how the Dental Residency Plus program is transforming lives by integrating faith, community service, and dental excellence. From personal stories of mission-driven dentistry to the challenges and triumphs of serving under-resourced communities, this episode is a testament to the power of purpose-driven healthcare. Tune in to discover how dentistry can serve as a platform for change and compassion. ___________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage, and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor and marginalized. CCHF's Vision: We envision a movement of God's people who choose daily to promote healing in marginalized communities in the name of Jesus. To learn more ab

"SAC Health's Journey From Free Clinic to Christian FQHC," recorded at the 2025 CCHF Conference: Join Lee Podoll, CPA, and Jason Lohr, MD, as they delve into SAC Health's transformative journey from a humble free clinic to a Christian Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). Recorded live at the 2025 CCHF Conference, this workshop explores the challenges and triumphs faced during this transition. Discover how SAC Health navigated financial hurdles, embraced a faith-based mission, and expanded its services to serve its community better. This episode offers valuable insights for healthcare professionals and organizations considering a similar path. ___________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage, and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the poor and marginalized. CCHF's Vision: We envision a movement of God's people who choose daily to prom

Training Your Entire Health Center to Have a Spiritual Impact in Your Community How can a health center not only meet physical needs but also cultivate a culture of whole-person care that transforms lives spiritually? In this CCHFTalk episode, recorded live as a workshop at the 2025 CCHF Conference, Dr. Paul Lorentsen, Dr. David Tellez, and Gary Plooster, MBA, share how the Neighborhood Christian Clinic has equipped staff, volunteers, and students to integrate faith into daily patient care. Drawing from over 25 years of experience, the speakers unpack a vision for whole-person care that empowers every member of a health center—from physicians to front desk staff—to see themselves as part of the Great Commission. They discuss practical strategies for spiritual histories, prayer with patients, using scripture, and creating training tools (including a free online curriculum) to prepare providers for gospel-centered impact in their communities and beyond. Whether you lead a clinic, serve as a healthcare professi

Belize to Buffalo to West Africa and Beyond: The Jericho Road Story — with Dr. Myron Glick (Legacy Series) From a Mennonite childhood in Belize to launching Jericho Road in a drafty storefront on Buffalo’s West Side, Dr. Myron Glick tells the sweeping, grace-soaked story behind one of the most mission-driven FQHCs in America. In this Legacy Series episode, Myron traces how a small private practice became a Christ-centered health system serving 25–30k patients a year across five Buffalo clinics—while also operating a family medicine residency, a shelter for asylum-seeking families, and global health centers in Sierra Leone, the DRC, and Nepal. You’ll hear about delivering 2,500 babies last year (most in Congo), why Jericho Road is now one of Goma’s largest hospitals, and how faithful board leadership and patient-to-leader pipelines shape their DNA. Myron opens up about early failures, church pain, and the hard-won humility that forged his theology of grace—and his conviction that Jesus would be found where inj

Community Health as Community Development | Rev. Dr. James Brooks Recorded live at the 2025 CCHF Conference, this workshop with Rev. Dr. James Brooks explores how healthcare and community development intersect in Lawndale. Through the story of Lawndale Christian Health Center, discover how addressing food deserts, strengthening local partnerships, and engaging churches and schools are reshaping what it means to pursue whole-community health. Dr. Brooks shares both the challenges and the triumphs of this journey, offering inspiring stories of resilience, collaboration, and faith at work in the heart of Chicago. Tune in to hear how Lawndale is redefining healthcare—not just as clinical care, but as a movement toward a healthier, more connected community. _________________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Community Health Fellowship is to encourage, engage and equip Christians to live out the gospel through healthcare among the po

Whole Person Care: Sounds Great, But How? | Learning Series with Jonathan Wilson, MD What does whole person care really look like in practice? In this workshop, recorded live at the 2025 CCHF Conference, Dr. Jonathan Wilson and his team from Hope Community Clinic share their journey of integrating physical, mental, social, and spiritual care for immigrant and refugee neighbors. Through stories, practical tools, and lessons learned, Dr. Wilson unpacks how clinics can move beyond buzzwords to deliver care that addresses the whole person. Listeners will hear about effective screening models, integrative behavioral health, addressing social drivers of health, and the vital role of spiritual care in healing. This episode offers encouragement and practical takeaways for anyone seeking to live out Christ’s love in healthcare—serving patients with dignity, compassion, and wholeness. _______________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian Comm

Interview with Bob Mason of Medical Strategic Network In this episode of CCHFTalk’s Strategic Partnerships Series, Steve Noblett sits down with longtime friend and partner Bob Mason, Executive Director of the Medical Strategic Network (MSN). Through the well-known METS conferences and student preceptorships, MSN has equipped thousands of healthcare professionals and students to integrate spiritual care into patient care in ethical and practical ways. Bob shares the inspiring story behind MSN’s founding, the vision of whole-person care, and how spiritual health conversations can renew both patients and providers. He highlights the transformative impact of training—on reducing burnout, shaping residency paths, and reawakening healthcare workers to the call of compassion at the heart of medicine. Listeners will also hear stories of clinics and students who have been equipped through MSN programs, as well as practical ways CCHF clinics can partner with MSN to strengthen their culture of faith-informed care. Visit

CCHFTalk: Who Is Defining Your Clinic’s Culture?

From Conception to Community: Legacy Interview with Dr. Lance Loberg In this special legacy interview, Dr. Lance Loberg takes us back to the origins of the Christian Community Health Fellowship—when it was just an idea sparked by a medical student’s research project and a shared vision with co-founder H Spees. From his early encounters with Dr. John Perkins during the civil rights era, to shaping CCHF’s name, motto, and first publications, Dr. Loberg shares how faith, medicine, and community development came together in the late 1970s to launch a national movement. Along the way, he reflects on decades of serving in community and migrant health centers, working with Native American tribes, and providing care in county jails. This conversation is a living link to CCHF’s roots and a challenge to keep “upholding the vision” of living out the gospel through healthcare with the poor. _______________________ CCHFTalk is a production of Christian Community Health Fellowship. CCHF's Mission: The mission of Christian

From flunking high school to founding a clinic in one of New York’s toughest neighborhoods, Dr. Bob Paeglow’s story is nothing short of miraculous. In this Legacy Interview, Dr. Bob shares how God radically called him—at age 34—into medicine, mission, and a life of service to the poor. You’ll hear: -How a supernatural vision changed his life forever  -Why he believes Albany, NY is one of the hardest mission fields on earth -His experience holding dying children in Mozambique—and the hope that followed -The incredible story of how Koinonia Primary Care (https://koinoniapc.org/) was founded  -What it means to hear God’s voice and obey, no matter the cost “Woe to me if I don’t practice medicine. This is why God put me on this earth.” Dr. Bob’s life is a testament to the truth that hope does not disappoint—and that when God calls, He provides, sustains, and transforms.

In this special episode of CCHFTalk, we sit down with Grace Tazelaar—nurse, mentor, missionary, and lifelong advocate for Christ-centered healthcare—for a moving legacy interview titled “Champion of Missionary Nursing.” Grace’s journey into nursing began early, inspired as a child by a visiting missionary nurse who shared stories of caring for the sick and proclaiming the Good News in underserved regions. That spark turned into a calling that shaped her remarkable career—one rooted in compassion, courage, and unwavering faith. Over the years, Grace has trained nurses at the university level, discipled young professionals through Nurses Christian Fellowship, and served in Uganda with the Luke Society during turbulent and dangerous times. Her heart for the poor led her to the Mississippi Delta, where she joined the team at Cary Christian Center, bringing hope and healing to a deeply underserved community. Grace became involved with Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) in its earliest days. She played a

Duane Claassen has a fascinating story that’s woven throughout the early days of CCHF. He grew up on a Mennonite farm in Central California and followed God’s call to become a doctor. That eventually led him to New Hebron, Mississippi, where he worked with Voice of Calvary—alongside some of the very earliest organizers of CCHF, including H. Spees and others. He presented a workshop at the very first CCHF conference in Washington, D.C., in 1982. There, he met, befriended, and eventually partnered with Dr. Bob Williams, moving to Denver to help launch Inner City Health in the early 1980s. I truly enjoyed my visit with Duane—I hope you will too. I especially appreciated our discussion about what it means to be a Christian health center. It’s more than simply offering prayer or spiritual counsel to your patients. It’s hard to describe unless you’ve experienced it, but it has to do with Christ being the fabric—not just a component or an option, but the very foundation—of everything you do as an organization. That’

Ted Hewson was officially the first executive director of the fledgling organization known as Christian Community Health Fellowship, or CCHF. CCHF was birthed in southern Mississippi around 1980, but it moved to Philadelphia shortly after its first national conference in 1982. Ted was hired as the first director, but he eventually handed off most of those duties and became part of an early team along with his wife, Patty. Patty had served as a nurse at what eventually became Esperanza Health Center in Philadelphia. David and Libby Caes then took over director responsibilities, organizing conferences and serving as editors of the Health and Development newsletter. Ted and Patty are a wealth of stories and history from the earliest days of CCHF. They were gracious enough to meet me at Esperanza on a Sunday afternoon last summer, and here's a recording of our visit together. In its early days, CCHF was small, under the radar, and largely unheard of. Conferences drew just 30 or 40 people, and the organization had