Churches Pay Off Medical Debt

Churches Pay Off Medical Debt | [View online]( [Give Now]( Advertisement [Local Church Outreach]( [CT Pastors]( [Subscribe]( [More on Outreach]( Wednesday, August 21, 2019 Churches Pay Off Medical Debt This is one of the more innovative ideas I’ve seen in a while, and I suspect it will spread as the cost of medical care rises around the country. A nonprofit group, RIP Medical Group, is helping churches pay off medical debt. Maria Baer [profiled]( three churches for CT—in Chicago, Maryland, and Indiana—that participated in a growing nationwide program: Pathway Church in Wichita, Kansas, spent a $22,000 chunk of its budget partly meant for publicizing its Easter services to eliminate $2.2 million in medical debt for local residents. Emmanuel Memorial Episcopal Church in Champaign, Illinois, used a $15,000 surplus from a building renovation project to eliminate $4 million of debt for more than 3,000 families. Revolution Annapolis, a small Maryland church that doesn’t even have its own building, collected $15,000 last December. That donation wiped out $1.9 million for nearly a thousand families in a dozen surrounding counties. City Church in Evansville, Indiana, raised $15,000 to cover $4 million in debt. I hope this concept continues to grow. It’s a great way for churches to meet a tangible need in their communities. [Churches Purchase School Supplies for Every Student]( One church in Hillsborough, Kansas, saw a need in their school district and worked to fulfill it themselves by purchasing school supplies for every student. It was spearheaded, as these things often are, by church members who understood the vulnerabilities of their community and saw a church in a neighboring community [doing the same thing](: Friends Tami Driggers, Hillsboro, and Linda Dyck, Tampa, both attend Parkview Mennonite Church. “A lot of times nowadays, moms and dads work just to make ends meet. It’s hard. Then with school, you’ve got clothes, glasses, shoes, food and then hundreds of dollars of schools supplies to think of. So I think that Parkview as a Church should be a blessing to people,” said Dyck. After talking about it more, the women decided to talk to the elders and get approval to have the church take on the project of providing supplies for all the elementary school students. The elders and Pastor Tom Byford gave their full support and a committee of six women was formed. What a great start to the school year in Hillsborough, Kansas! We haven’t featured your letters recently, and I’d like to get back to that. I’d love for y’all to write me and share what your church is doing to help schools in your community. [Daniel Darling] [Daniel Darling] [Daniel Darling](mailto:krohane@christianitytoday.com) [A Vision Worth Living and Dying For]( [A Vision Worth Living and Dying For]( How God called Christianity Today’s new leader, Dr. Timothy Dalrymple, and a glimpse into the ministry’s expanded direction. [Read more]( Advertisement More from CT Pastors [What Should Pastors Know About Generation Z?]( [What Should Pastors Know About Generation Z?]( Five experts discuss the ways this emerging demographic is helping them rethink preaching, parenting, and service. Moderated by Maina Mwaura [Read More]( [Preaching Is Real Performance Art]( [Preaching Is Real Performance Art]( The way it's delivered is part of the message. Clayton Schmit [Read More]( [Doing Community Behind Bars]( [Doing Community Behind Bars]( Prison ministry demands really practical theology. Larry Dixon [Read More]( Related Newsletters [CT Pastors Newsletter]( Each weekly CT Pastors issue equips you with the best wisdom and practical tools for church ministry. [Sign Up Now]( [Small Groups Newsletter]( Regular access to innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles. [Sign Up Now]( Advertisement Follow Us: [Follow on Facebook]( [Follow on Twitter]( Need fresh, practical ideas for reaching your community? Each week, you’ll receive a wealth of invaluable ideas and resources for the outreach-oriented church leader. Local Church Outreach Delivered free via email to subscribers Weekly. [Subscribe]( to this newsletter. You are currently subscribed as {EMAIL}. [Subscribe]( to more newsletters like this. Manage your [email preferences]( or [unsubscribe](. Copyright ©2019 Christianity Today 465 Gundersen Drive, Carol Stream, IL 60188 All rights reserved. [Privacy Policy]( | [Advertise]( | [Subscribe to CT]( | [Give Now]( Christianity Today is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.