by Brynna Williamson
The Grace Community Healthcare Ministry clinic is not like any other place you’ve ever seen.
I hate to admit it, but for you to understand just how comforting and welcoming this Wood County, Texas place is, you should probably know that I have a deep fear of doctors, blood, and medical clinics.
It’s embarrassing, honestly.
But now that you know, when I tell you that it was the most comfortable, inviting, calming place, you know that that means something.
The Building
In fact, Grace Community Healthcare Ministry is so nice that, to be honest, my first impression when I walked in the door was to think, “Okay. This is a place that I could take a nap in total peace.” Why, you ask? Was it the soothing cream walls, the summery breeze that felt like it was blowing through the perfect-temperature room, the classy Christian decorations on the walls, or something else?
Who knows. Maybe it was all of it.
I think that even the lobby of the Grace Community Healthcare Ministry—which, by the way, is located near downtown Mineola, across the street from the Mineola Memorial Library—tells the story of the nonprofit, low-cost clinic. It’s beautiful, it’s clean, it’s professional, and it’s welcoming. Enough said.
By that, of course, I really mean let me brag on this beautiful old Wood County, Texas building a bit more. Originally called the McReynolds House, the more than 100-year-old home was built in 1907 for Robert McReynolds, his wife Nettie, and their six children. Although the house changed hands several times and underwent “extensive renovation and restoration,” the high ceilings, many rooms, antique doors, and stunning windows still speak to the legacy of this vintage home-turned-clinic.
The McReynolds House was purchased by an anonymous person and donated to the Grace Community Healthcare Ministry in 2006, where it still functions and thrives today.
What They Do
According to the United States Census Bureau, 19.8% of people in Wood County, Texas were medically uninsured in 2022. That’s nearly 7,000 people. Seeing this need of uninsured adults to get the varied healthcare they needed, Grace Community Healthcare Ministry stepped in to make a difference.
“Following the example of the Great Physician, the organization extends help, hope, and healing to the whole person while maintaining individual dignity,” they write. “The organization provides quality medical care and wellness education upholding a standard of excellence and improving the quality of life in this area.”
Today, the clinic offers tons and tons of resources. From offering diabetic workshops in both Spanish and English, to partnering with Axia Mobile Unit (a pregnancy resource ministry affiliated with Living Alternatives), to giving away CPAP or other equipment, the nonprofit wants to address every walk of life and every need that they are equipped to do. They will even help patients receive discounted X-rays, CAT scans, free insulin, and more.
Grace Community Healthcare Ministry also offers real, professional, medical exams and clinics to those in need.
While being part of their program does mean some requirements, those requirements are precious few: patients must be uninsured adults aged 18-64, live in the Mineola ISD boundaries, and meet Grace’s financial need income guidelines.
That’s all.
Literally anyone who qualifies to be a patient at Grace is not only welcome to come and be part of this great thing that’s happening in our Wood County, Texas community. “We’re always taking new patients,” says Grace Community Healthcare Ministry Director Susan Roach. “We really want new patients!!!”
Qualifying patients, after completing some “baseline” lab work, are eligible to receive any medical work that the clinic offers. These services include primary care visits, EKGs, blood analyses, vaccinations, various tests and laboratory work, well-woman exams, prescription writing, and much, much more.
At Grace Community Healthcare Ministry, services are provided by real, professional, certified officials—this is not some backwoods clinic we’re talking about. In fact, if it makes you feel better to know, the doctors/nurse practitioners on staff are named Darlene Haggerton, Dr. Margaret Hayden, and Dr. Mark Race. According to Roach, the staff—including nurses and volunteers on hand—are “incredibly loving.”
Each one of the 30 weekly volunteers, who together donated more than 3,400 volunteer hours in 2024, is completely unpaid. Doctors, nurses, and non-medical community member volunteers (including four Spanish interpreters) come up just to serve, because they can.
“It is amazing, when you think about the spirit—that more than 30 people (just come and give their time, and their efforts, and their love to people),” said Roach.
Oh, and did I mention that everything this Wood County, Texas nonprofit does is at a shockingly low cost? In fact, the ministry exists to be low cost! According to Roach, services like EKGs are $5, pap smears are $12, and the entire panel of baseline lab tests is a total of $40. To come in and see a doctor is just 18 bucks.
Crazy, isn’t it?
What They Offer
Grace Community Healthcare Ministry literally exists to serve—to give away what it receives, and to help people with everything they can. Even their mission statement, which is hung in the front lobby, confirms it.
“In agreement with our mission and with the Holy Spirit of God’s Grace, today you will receive services provided by volunteers who are a part of the body of Christ (the church) in this place,” they write.
“We believe that God, who is known as The Great Physician and Wonderful Counselor, changes things through Prayer,” their mission statement continues. “Therefore, we (providers and staff) are available to pray with or for you at your request.”
While doctors, nurses, and volunteers at Grace Community Healthcare Ministry are all Christians, Roach assures visitors that vocalized prayer is only at the request of the patient.
In addition to their love, time, prayer, faith, hope, and compassion, the ministry also offers medical goods to give away for free to those who may need them. In their front lobby, the clinic has entire shelves of adult diapers, lancets, diabetic-related equipment, and much more. New testament bibles are also available.
According to Roach, the Wood County ministry has seen God take care of them time and time again. From unexplained checks at the perfect time, to professional contractors choosing to “never send me a bill,” to having strangers donate equipment, Roach says that God’s provision “just happens here all the time!”
“Things happen here,” she said simply. “God knew (what we needed).”
So now you see what I mean now about Grace Community Healthcare Ministry being a place that you should feel comfortable, welcomed, loved, and taken care of. I truly didn’t feel grossed-out, unwelcome, or really nervous in that clinic. It’s beautiful, it’s clean, people are smiling, and they care about you as a person.
And trust me, if I can feel comfortable there, then I bet you will, too.
For more information, visit the Grace Community Healthcare Ministry’s Facebook page or call them at 903-569-0020. Donations can be made in-person at the clinic, via mail, or by calling the clinic.