Samaritan Ministries

Dear Friend in Christ,

Thank you for your interest in Samaritan Ministries' Christian Health Care Newsletter. The interest in our medical need-sharing ministry has been running very high. We are excited to see the growth in interest as well as the growth in number of subscribers. Just keeping up with the need for printed materials has been a challenge as more and more fellow believers ask for information. We are excited about the growth in interest as well as in the growing number of subscribers. We are working as quickly as possible to put this information into your hands.

Shortly before I founded Samaritan Ministries, two Christian acquaintances of mine experienced medical catastrophes without having a sufficient financial base to meet their needs. One friend went from working as a healthy, active carpenter one week, to lying in a hospital bed with an undiagnosed illness a week later. After two weeks in bed and three MRIs, he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and left with tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. The other friend, a single mom raising six children, suffered congestive heart failure and faced nearly $20,000 in bills. She was struggling to maintain the family business and raise the children herself while being burdened with these bills.

Statistically, it is almost certain that someone among all of those receiving our letter will face a similar health care financial crisis in the next three years. Are the rest of us willing to be there to help that person in their time of need? The Scriptures tell us, "Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ."

We believe that our Christian Health Care Newsletter provides a very practical, workable way to bring glory to God and meet hundreds of medical financial needs each month. For Christians, we believe this ministry is superior to medical insurance even though it has none of the guarantees of insurance. We believe it can grow into something that will provide the best health care security that we can experience on earth -- a security that is not based on the guarantees of men, but upon the power of God as He is working in the lives of fellow Christians.

The Christian Health Care Newsletter began publishing needs in 1994 and has been growing steadily ever since. The monthly shares subscribers give go directly to other subscribers to meet actual medical needs. (We don't have the money going into investments and don't have to worry about corporate profits.) As a result, our monthly share is still very low, especially when you consider the increases in the cost of medical care that we have seen.

But when we talk to people who have had their financial needs met by gifts from fellow subscribers, it isn't the money they talk about. They tell about the notes and letters of encouragement that come with many of the gifts. They are overwhelmed with the realization that fellow believers all across the country (and even in other countries) are praying for them. Some of the most exciting results we have seen in this ministry are when God has answered prayer and made any further action on our part unnecessary.

We trust that you will see this program as an answer to your needs and your prayers. We invite you to come be part of the family of Samaritan Ministries' Christian Health Care Newsletter.

For the Kingdom,

Ted A. Pittenger
International President

PS Currently our steady growth has allowed us to suspend the normal 90-day waiting period (although it could be reinstated in the future). Just check the appropriate box to let us know when you want your subscription to start.

PSS Also, remember to share this information with Christian friends and co-workers. Referral credits were recently increased and are now $165 for each member you refer.