Dr. Wendell Heidinger and Pastor Lucas Porter
Overview
This ministry slowly developed over the years in the practice of Dr. Wendell Heidinger. As a partner in a Klamath Falls, Oregon family practice, Dr. Heidinger tried various methods to reach his patients on a spiritual plane in addition to helping them physically. He met with some success but was limited by various constraints of the partnership. After praying and searching and preparing for more than a year, Heidinger finally opened his own practice in December of 2008. The lessons he has learned, the blessings he has received, and the fruit he has seen in his patients convinces him he is on the right track.
What It Looks Like
On the surface my practice is similar to any other physician's office—there is a waiting room, a receptionist, and some back office staff. Underneath the surface, things are very different:
1) I have a literature rack in my waiting room
2) I prayed and wrestled with God over what staff to hire. Instead of picking staff based strictly on qualifications, training and experience, I also picked staff who had a passion for souls, a passion to reach out and minister. This was actually a prime consideration. This concept has proved very useful as can be seen in the testimony section of this website.
3) WE are very intentional about introducing spirituality into the practice by:
- Discussing spiritual things with patients
- Praying with patients
- Demonstrating how trust in God can lead to physical healing
- Treating patients in a Christlike manner
- Office Decor: And this I should explain a little more. My parents gave me a very nice and large picture of Christ (painted by Nathan Greene) standing behind the physician sitting at his desk upon graduation from medical school. I placed that in my office in a temporary place until I could get it hung. It happens to be in direct sight of the patients view while they are getting weighed on the scale prior to seeing me. The patients get a "peak" into the doctor's office. They can't help but notice the picture. That picture has brought more comments and told the story of what I am doing better and more efficiently than many words and many conversations. It has proven to be an excellent tool.
- My staff and I frequently meet together and pray and discuss the spiritual aspect of our patients and the practice.
- The pastor of the church brings us a devotional once a week
4) I have a steering committee of selected church members and pastors to help direct in what I do that meets once a month.
5) I view the church as an extension of my office. They are there to help with:
- Acts of service
- Bible Studies
- Anointing services
- Friendship
- Counseling
- Other.
To do this the pastor and I have organized the church by identifying their abilities and where they are able/willing to help. As I identify patients with needs, I am able to connect them with the appropriate resource
6) In the future I would like to have medical students or residents rotate through with me to learn how to introduce spirituality into medicine.
My Testimony
