So many people are seeking help, almost no one wants to support providing it …

In my more than 37 years of ministry, I’ve had the privilege to serve in churches (associate and senior pastor), to lead in the revitalization of declining churches, to plant a church and help with other church plants, but by far the most difficult thing I’ve done was launch and lead the international parachurch ministry of Scott Free Clinic.

Even though we have a proven ministry model, with God producing the fruit of thousands of saved/changed lives so far, we have people from across the country and around the world seeking our services on a daily or weekly basis, but from our start almost no one has been willing to support this ministry to make vital services possible.

The only real challenge Scott Free Clinic has, and struggles with every month, is lack of financial support. I’m often asked why we have such a struggle, especially since God has made this ministry fruitful in helping people change their lives. Following are some of the reasons I shared recently with our Prayer Partners and Board members:

Spiritual warfare. The enemy is not threatened by any church, ministry, or Christian who lives or operates nominally and has no or little impact in the lives of others. But be an effective tool in the hands of God for changing lives, and the spiritual battle intensifies, multiplies, and doesn’t cease!

Stigma. It’s not just that society stigmatizes those with mental illnesses or mental health issues, the church specifically contributed through decades of ridiculing psychology, belittling counseling, and generally dismissing mental illness by telling people to have faith and pray more. There has been some improvement from the church, but only some(far, far too little!).

We’re doing something new that’s never been financially supported by the church. Most people don’t get the clinical help they need because they can’t afford it. Another reason (besides stigma), is lack of access to competent clinical care. SFC focuses specifically on removing the barriers of cost and access so that people (anywhere in the world, as long as they can go online) can get the help they need, something that few have tried to do, and certainly something that has never been supported by the church. So trying to get people to share such a different and bold ministry vision to the point of partnering in it is something foreign to them (and a challenge to us, something we must be patient about). Blazing a new trail takes great effort before people will join a new movement; people watch “trail blazers” long before they follow their lead.

We have to care. I wrote a book titled, “Real Christians Care,” because I believe one of the key elements missing in the church today is sincerely caring about others, to the point of action. I get a lot of “push back” from some ministers regarding this claim, but too many professing Christians are all too happy to remain entrenched in their zones of comfort and not let anything disturb that.

It’s a stretch. SFC has never asked anyone (and won’t) to take from their support to their churches, missions, or church planting to support this ministry. Instead, we have always asked people to share what they can spare. The average American will instinctively, immediately respond that they have nothing to share! Many do, and Lord willing, some of those people will eventually become Care Partners with us.

Some don’t take a partial launch seriously. There are many people who become very excited about the concept of this ministry, but then quickly dismiss us (at least, for the moment), because we’re not fully launched. I’ve been told many times to “contact me when you finally get fully launched.” The “catch 22” is needing support now so that we can fully launch!

I’ve learned over the past almost 10 years that founding and leading a non-profit charity/ministry is NOT for the faint of heart! Yet, SFC has been blessed with five different terms of Board members who have maintained the faith that God has given us this ministry vision and mission, and He continues to affirm it by producing the fruit of changed lives. Our job is to be faithful and obedient to Him, making ourselves available as tools for His use, and trusting that He will lead us to men, women, couples, families, churches, business, organizations, etc. who will capture the vision of this ministry and either become regular Care Partners with us, or at least make a donation when possible. Until that happens, we can use your prayers because our struggle to be able to minister to people in need is very real, and very difficult.

If you would like to make a donation to Scott Free Clinic and/or become a regular Care Partner with us, you can do so by clicking here. You’re also invited and welcome to join us as a Prayer Partner; you can learn more about what that means by clicking here.

In His Service,

Dr. James Scott, Jr.
Founder & President,
Scott Free Clinic