Why SMI? To care for one another
By Samaritan staff · Jun 01, 2014
Brad and Ruth did not join Samaritan Ministries at first. Both knew the founder, Ted Pittenger, from church, but Brad had a comfortable job with a good insurance plan and, at first, the family felt no need to look further.
Then, in February 2006, their desire to follow God brought them to Mongolia. Brad no longer had his comfortable job or the insurance plan it provided. The family’s work in Mongolia caused them to look for a more cost-effective option than what was available in their new home. Choosing Samaritan Ministries for their family became an obvious choice because it cut their cost of health care nearly in half. Today, after more than seven years as Samaritan members, it costs about a third of what insurance would cost for their family.
The choice to join Samaritan Ministries, however, went beyond just a money-saving change for Brad and Ruth; it became a way to follow the mandate of God to care for one another.
Samaritan Ministries impressed Brad with the effectiveness with which it allows members to follow this mandate. “In small Christian communities, you try to take care of one another,” he says, “but it’s hard to manage the large needs. SMI provides a network that makes it possible for the larger Christian community to take care of one another, even in the greatest needs.”
Brad was recently able to experience God’s provision through Samaritan Ministries. In January, he flew to Thailand to have surgery on his hip while members around the world prayed for him. Now, only a few months later, Brad is healed and walking well. He and his family are thankful to not have financial worries over this surgery. God has provided through the members of Samaritan Ministries.
Essentially, Samaritan Ministries has enabled Brad and Ruth to serve more effectively. It has cut down costs so that they could be better stewards of what funds they have. It has given them the opportunity to serve Christians across the world and to receive blessings from other Christians.
SMI has not been only a ministry to fellow believers with needs, but it is a ministry to ministries. With low cost and prayer, Brad and Ruth have been able to minister more effectively in Mongolia.