SAN FRANCISCO – In response to the pressing need for medical services among the Chinese community, a leading international Christian ministry has moved one stop forward in establishing the first facilities.

Located at a building across the street from the Chinese Christian Herald Crusades (CCHC) Los Angeles branch office, the 15,000 sq. ft. Herald Christian Health Center – a new project spearheaded by CCHC – was dedicated to God on May 6 after almost one year of preparation. The dedication has also marked the beginning of the first phase of refurbishment. The Health Center is expected to start its full operation in October, according to Rev. David Lee, the director of the Health Center project.

With an aim to provide basic medical care for some Chinese immigrants who have low income, unable to afford personal insurance and have difficulties in communicating in English, the Health Center is also built for an evangelistic purpose to touch many souls in order to fulfill "holistic gospel".

A sum of 3 million is required for the Health Center to be set up, according to Lee. CCHC has been trying to fundraise since the second half of last year. The fund will cover the cost of the property, refurbishment fee and initiation funds for starting the operation.

CCHC has therefore launched the "325" donation plan to collect the fund. CCHC is currently praying for 300 donors or donor units, as each donor or donor unit offer $2000 every year in a five-year period, a sum of 3 million funds can be fulfilled.

Now around 160 donors or donor units were found, including 18 churches and Christian organizations, according to Lee. A donor wall will be constructed in the new Health Center, listing the name of these 300 donors or other names these donors would like to honor. Lee said the 300 donors are just like the 300 soldiers at Gideon in the Bible.

On the other hand, a team of dedicated medical professionals is to be recruited to operate the Health Center. CCHC will organize a vision sharing meeting on June 11 at San Gabriel, CA. The event will be conducted in English. It aims to introduce to many Christian physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists and other medical professionals the operation mode of the Health Center and to invite them to join this medical evangelical ministry.

Lee added that the Health Center in Los Angeles will just be a pilot program. Not only it will provide affordable and quality medical care service for Chinese community in Los Angeles, it has also planned to expand to all major cities across the U.S. and to knit a national medical care network for all Chinese immigrants.

[Editor’s note: Christina Song has contributed to this article]