November 24, 2025
Samaritan Ministries’ members are thankful for their Christian health care sharing community
‘This is why Samaritan is different from health insurance; it’s a way to share not only medical costs but also encouragement and prayers’
PEORIA, Ill. — This year, as Americans prepare to gather for Thanksgiving, members of Samaritan Ministries (samaritanministries.org) have an additional reason to be thankful — they get to share not only health care expenses but also the love of Jesus with other members.
For the past nine years, Bhodan and Svetlana, members from California, have submitted their health care needs through Samaritan. Each time the couple received a check, they also received a note of encouragement, overflowing their hearts with gratitude for being a part of a caring Christian community.
“What a wonderful God we have. Through the blood of our Savior, we have a wonderful family of fellow believers praying for each other scattered across the United States,” they shared.
“This is why membership in Samaritan is different from using health insurance; it’s a way to share not only medical costs but also encouragement and prayers with our fellow Christian health care sharing members,” said Anthony Hopp, chief purpose officer of Samaritan Ministries International.
Other Samaritan members have also written to express their thanks.
Sarah, from Washington state, wrote:
I have been overwhelmed (in a good way) with care and support from Samaritan Ministries throughout my entire need so far. It is the best health care situation I have ever had. I’m in awe with how smooth this has been, giving me so much peace and ability to focus on what is important. I keep thanking God for turning me to Samaritan Ministries, putting me in charge of my health and being a part of an amazing community. As I mentioned above, I am so thankful for Samaritan Ministries. I have shared my experience with so many people—most have no idea what health sharing is. And when they hear about the community aspect, they are so moved by the entire process and idea. Samaritan Ministries has been such a positive during my cancer diagnosis and treatment. It is such a blessing.”
Lynette, from Minnesota, shared:
“After receiving many bills and depleting some savings, it was pure joy to see Samaritan Ministries operate the way it does. To have letters with encouraging notes and promises of prayer, along with checks to pay my medical expenses, was so very heartening. The healing continues, and I am so grateful for the prayers. God is the great Physician.”
Dave, from Illinois, said:
“I am very thankful that my expenses have been shared by others, alleviating a large financial burden, but an even greater blessing is knowing that fellow brothers and sisters are praying for my healing. This is the family of God in action.”
“The needs shared by our members are as varied as our uniqueness as individuals created in the image of God,” Hopp said. “At Samaritan, we are grateful for many things, including the ability to provide a way for the body of Christ to minister to one another.”
Since its founding in 1994, Samaritan Ministries International (SMI) has helped more than a million Christians enjoy health care freedom by allowing them to choose medical providers and treatments at reasonable cost and without network restrictions while following a biblical pattern of caring for one another’s medical needs.
Accredited by the Healthcare Sharing Accreditation Board, Samaritanhas an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and serves more than 250,000 members across more than 70,000 households.
Samaritan Ministries is not health insurance. Government exchange-based health insurance requires signups to occur only during open enrollment periods unless one qualifies for a special enrollment period due to a “life event” such as losing coverage, getting married, moving, or having a baby. In contrast, individuals can sign up with Samaritan Ministries at any time.
Samaritan Ministries members are exempt from insurance coverage mandates and penalties in those states that have them (i.e., California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C.).
Samaritan Ministries health care sharing offers many advantages, including:
- No network restrictions. Samaritan members have the freedom of choice for their health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that works best for them.
- The unique direct-sharing approach does more than just help members financially; it also encourages a biblical community based on prayer. Due to member efforts, monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than health insurance premiums.
To understand how health care sharing is not insurance, and to understand the differences from insurance, prospective members are required to review Samaritan Ministries’ guidelines before joining Samaritan.
To learn more about Samaritan Ministries International, visit the Samaritanwebsite at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or X.
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To schedule interviews with Samaritan Ministries International, contactMedia@HamiltonStrategies.com, Beth Bogucki, 610.584.1096, ext. 105, Dawn Foglein, ext. 100, or Richard Jefferson, rjefferson@hamiltonstrategies.com.
