Samaritan Ministries’ 280,000+ members are living out their faith as the Church did in Acts 2
January 31, 2022
PEORIA, Ill.— For more than 27 years, members of Samaritan Ministries International (samaritanministries.org), one of the leading health care sharing ministries in America, have been connecting to each other every month, “bearing one another’s burdens” when they have needs.
The first followers of Christ practiced this 2,000 years ago, long before Samaritan Ministries rooted its mission in Galatians 6:2, when early Christians took care of fellow believers in need. Those early Christians gladly and freely chose to share with each other as needs arose. Today these practices lived out in the early Church in Acts 2 are being used again by the quarter of a million Samaritan members who pray for one another and share approximately $30 million in medical needs each month.
“The concept of health care sharing is rooted in biblical principles,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan Ministries chief purpose officer. “The Bible clearly shows early Christians sharing each other’s burdens as a community. This is the practice that Samaritan was built with—a community of Christians financially and spiritually helping each other during times of need.”
Samaritan member Arielle from Maryland said, “I’m just so glad there are ministries such as Samaritan for Christians to support one another and do what the Bible commands. It’s a blessing to so many, and this month my family is seeing what a gift it is that we really are giving to another family every month.”
Another Samaritan member, Matt from Michigan, saw this Biblical community come together for him in a very tangible way.
“I recently had submitted my first special need,” Matt said, referring to bills that did not qualify to be shared as a regular need. “I honestly was skeptical and did not expect to have many people give above and beyond what they are already committed to giving monthly. I was honestly blown away by people’s generosity. To see the Body of Christ wrap around something as simple as a dental need was so uplifting for me and my family’s spirit and really helped to relieve that financial burden. I have been so encouraged to have these needs met by members all over the country. I truly feel like the book of Acts is coming alive with Samaritan Ministries in the way Jesus planned for us to take care of each other as believers. I can’t spread the word to enough friends and family about Samaritan Ministries and what a blessing it has been to me and my family.”
Like Matt, Stacey from New Jersey is thankful for Samaritan and her fellow members.
“Today my heart rejoices in thankful celebration because of each of you!” she said. “Your kindness for all the members and your willingness to serve the Body of Christ through this ministry have helped to undergird many of us with a sense of security we cannot know in this world apart from the family of Christ.”
The reality of health care sharing comes to life for Samaritan Ministries members the first time they have a medical burden they submit to their fellow Samaritan members for sharing. They then experience first-hand other members following Jesus’ teaching to care for their brothers and sisters in Christ.
“We are truly blessed by Samaritan Ministries,” said Joseph and Melissa from Montana. “Our recent large health need was made (into) much less of a burden because of this great ministry. We love being a part of the Body of Christ (that is) acting like the Body of Christ should—caring for one another!”
Kimberly from Missouri was doubly blessed by the joyful occasion of the birth of her daughter and by the way Samaritan members cared for her new family.
“After a difficult pregnancy, we were so grateful that she and I were both healthy,” Kimberly said. “We were amazed and thankful for all the notes of prayer and encouragement we received from our brothers and sisters in Christ, whom we probably won’t meet until we’re in Heaven. What a powerful and effective network of His Church—praying, encouraging, and supporting one another. His ways work!”
Samaritan Ministries currently has a membership of 284,062 individuals from 84,626 member households.
Unlike health insurance, Samaritan Ministries has no limited enrollment period. 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.
Samaritan Ministries health care sharingoffers several advantages:
- There are no network restrictions. When medical care is needed, Samaritan members choose the health care provider, hospital, or pharmacy that works best for them.
- The direct-sharing approach allows members to not only help fellow believers with their medical financial needs but also to pray for and connect with them on a regular basis.
- Monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than the cost of health insurance premiums.
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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