Christ-centered mission of helping each other is at the heart of health care sharing ministry

October 20, 2022

PEORIA, Ill. —  Saving money, cutting red tape and having lots of options, including alternative treatments, are some of the advantages cited by grateful members of Samaritan Ministries International (Samaritan), a health care sharing ministry. But perhaps the reason that members most often give is the ability to help other Christians with their needs, and in turn, be helped by others.

Samaritan’s mission is “to redeem health care by helping the Body of Christ love one another through sharing each other’s health care burdens, while experiencing authentic Biblical community.”

Each week, the Samaritan office receives letters, emails and phone calls testifying to the gratitude that members feel for being able to live out the Christian call to come to the aid of others.

“After examining Samaritan’s programs, we decided to become members,” Mark and Shelby of Oklahoma recalled in the October edition of the ministry’s monthly newsletter. “We love the fact that our monthly Share goes to help real people with tangible needs and that we have a direct part in helping and encouraging them.

“Recently, we had a baby, and we are receiving the blessing of gifts, cards and prayers coming our way. Samaritan has relieved the financial burden along with their prompt, friendly help, easy process, and constant encouragement. God is amazing in showing His love and provision.”

“Mark and Shelby are by no means unusual in expressing joy from experiencing health care sharing,” said Anthony Hopp, Samaritan’s chief purpose officer. “Literally hundreds of people from all walks of life have shared with us their testimonies about how much they were helped and moved by the outpouring of financial support, prayers, cards, encouraging words, and financial support from other members.”

Athena, from Idaho, wrote:

“I have explained my heart of gratitude several times with my needs. I love this ministry! I love being a part of this family of believers who help one another out with medical needs and bills. But how can I describe the feeling of receiving the notes, cards, scriptures, and prayers when I have a need, and giving the same to others when each month’s needs arise. I feel blessed! Thank you, Samaritan.”

Mark and Cheryl, who live in Colorado, said:

“We have been blessed to both give and receive shares! The notes we have received recently after Mark’s quadruple bypass surgery have both blessed and humbled us with the kind words and encouragement. Samaritan is a wonderful ministry!”

Jamie and Leandra of Illinois shared:

“We appreciate this Samaritan family and are so thankful to be members. We’re thankful for the prayers and we enjoy helping others as we have been helped in the past. God works in amazing ways, and He blesses us each and every day.”

“You just don’t get this kind of support from a health insurance contract,” Hopp said. “Health care sharing is about more than financial help with health care needs, but also the deep needs of the soul being met through Christian fellowship.”

More information about the history and health care philosophy of Samaritan Ministries can be found in Newsletter Editor Michael Miller’s book “Sharing the Burden: The Samaritan Ministries Story.”

Samaritan Ministries currently has a membership of 280,901 individuals from 83,032 households.

Samaritan 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 additional advantages:

• No network restrictions. When medical care is needed, Samaritan members choose the health care provider, hospital, and pharmacy that work best for them.
• The direct-sharing approach allows members to not only help fellow believers with their medical financial needs but to pray for and connect with them on a regular basis.
• Monthly shares are hundreds of dollars less per month than insurance.

Learn more about Samaritan Ministries International here; visit the Samaritan website at www.samaritanministries.org, or follow the ministry on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.