Testimony of Giving — Elizabeth Brill

There’s a letter pinned to a corkboard in Elizabeth Brill’s office that has been there for more than five years. In November 2020, in the throes of the COVID-19 pandemic, the note arrived from Associate Pastor David Dunderdale, reminding her of Blacknall’s commitment to Samaritan Health Center and promising a grant that would help the organization withstand that year’s hardship.

Samaritan Health Center provided care to nearly 700 patients last year.

“It reminds me how proud I am when I talk to other nonprofits who know Blacknall is caring for them,” said Elizabeth, Executive Director of the center, which offers medical care for people without insurance and with limited income.

Blacknall’s partnership with Samaritan Health Center dates back to September 2008, when a $30,000 seed grant provided key funding needed for the center to open. “When we think back on the last 17 years of providing care in Durham, we know we wouldn’t be here without Blacknall,” she said.

For Elizabeth, the longstanding partnership between Blacknall and Samaritan is about far more than that initial gift and the church’s ongoing monthly support. Those gifts are critical, she said, because they allow the center to plan its budget with greater stability. But beyond dollars, Elizabeth emphasized the importance of knowing that Blacknall members and attenders are praying for Samaritan and volunteering with the center.

This past Sunday, Elizabeth offered our monthly testimony on the impact of giving at Blacknall. These short moments of reflection during our Sunday announcements offer the chance to hear stories of how Blacknall ministries serve our congregation, Durham, and beyond. Watch Elizabeth’s testimony and explore ways you can give.

“Blacknall tries not to just write checks — we try to make friendships,” said Elizabeth, who has been a member since 2018. “Our giving is about building mutual relationships so that we all grow together in seeking Jesus.”

Elizabeth has long given to Blacknall on a monthly basis, automating a paycheck deduction to support the church’s budget — just as Blacknall provides consistent monthly support to Samaritan Health Center. The impact is tangible: The center cared for 690 patients last year, ranging in age from 3 to 87 and speaking 24 different languages.

“When I came to Durham and was looking for a church home, I wanted a church that invests locally and globally,” Elizabeth said. “What I appreciate about Blacknall is that we are always investing in our people, along with our local and global partners, and are finding ways to deepen those partnerships.”