Facing Rising Insurance Costs, Family Radio CEO Escaped to Health Care Sharing
Samaritan Ministries Members Voluntarily Shouldered Tom and Christina Evans’ Health Care Burdens and Provided Blessings
August 25, 2020
PEORIA, Ill. — When a changing audience led to reductions in Family Radio’s staff to under 100 employees, CEO Tom Evans could no longer afford to offer them group health insurance. But, as the Christian radio network often reminded listeners, God works all things together for good — including by leading Tom and his wife, Christina, to begin sharing their health care needs through Samaritan Ministries International (samaritanministries.org), a leading health care sharing ministry.
After careful research to understand Samaritan’s Biblical approach, they became two more of the 273,000 members from 83,000 Samaritan Ministries households who pray for and send monthly financial shares directly to other members, along with notes of encouragement. Through this effective, God-honoring ministry, Samaritan’s growing Biblical community shares approximately $30 million in medical needs person-to-person each month.
“[I love] that the Lord is using my Share to help someone else in need,” Christina said. “I feel like I am part of His plan in helping and loving the Body of Christ.”
Tom credits Christina for doing the research that led them to join Samaritan.
“She felt it was most in line with us,” Tom said. “She has always remained impressed with the newsletters, how much Samaritan members care, and how amazingly God provides.”
Tom and Christina’s journey into health care sharing began with significant personal challenges. They had just experienced a miscarriage before becoming Samaritan members, making it a pre-existing condition. Nevertheless, Samaritan members gave more than their normal shares to help lighten the Evanses’ financial burden through the Member Assistance Fund.
“That kind of sold us on the whole concept of the Body sharing one another’s burdens, which is one of the most gratifying things,” Tom said.
One blessing led to another as the Lord redeemed not only their health care bills but also their miscarriage. Christina became pregnant again, and the Evans family once more saw the Body of Christ pitch in to ease their financial burden.
“Being new to Samaritan, I was a little concerned how it would work, but we were certainly blessed when Samaritan shared my pregnancy all the way through,” Christina said.
Tom and Christina’s story is not unique. Over the past 25 years, Samaritan Ministries members have shared over $2.3 billion in needs and encouraged one another with notes along the way.
As the CEO of Family Radio, Tom wants to use his 76-station network to bless others with helpful medical information. He says he was delighted when he discovered that Samaritan Ministries already had a radio presence. He feels like his gospel-oriented network is a natural partner for Samaritan’s message.
“When we first started with Samaritan, I thought it would be great if you guys started a short medical informational spot, and lo and behold, you guys were doing that!” Tom told Samaritan. “We wanted to inform our listeners and help them find resources that would be a benefit to them. That program is a perfect complement to our programming.”
Family Radio broadcasts “Family Health Checkup,” a daily one-minute feature produced by Samaritan and providing practical insights on nutrition, fitness, seasonal health, safety, kids’ health and much more. The program began airing in its 1,000th market in June and continues to gain listeners across the country.
For more about “Family Health Checkup,” visit its Facebook Page or go to familyhealthcheckup.org.
Learn more about Samaritan Ministries International here; visit the Samaritan website at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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To interview a representative from Samaritan Ministries International, contact Media@HamiltonStrategies.com, Patrick Benner, 610.584.1096, ext. 104, or Deborah Hamilton, ext. 102.
