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Lifestyle & Human Interest

Church Does the Incredible by Helping Pay Off $46.5 Million in Medical Debt for Over 45K Families

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Over 45,000 families from the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State Area and beyond were surprised with a gift from a local church — the unexpected news that their outstanding medical debt had been paid.

Crossroads Church, a large, multi-campus church based in Cincinnati, partnered with the nonprofit organization RIP Medical Debt to pay off an astounding $46.5 million in medical debt for families in the community, WXIX-TV reported.

RIP Medical Debt, which purchases bundled debt from hospitals for mere pennies on the dollar, has gained considerable and positive exposure in recent years.

Anyone can donate to the organization, which has eliminated over $1 billion in medical debt to date, according to the non-profit’s website.

Crossroads Senior Pastor Brian Tome told WXIX that church members donated $465,000 to RIP Medical Debt, which translated into $46.5 million paid off for people living in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana.

“Churches are at our best when we are a blessing to real people in our communities,” Tome said. “We’re not here to just have big Sunday meetings.”

Debt was wiped out for 41,233 households in Ohio for $42.8 million, 2,974 Kentucky households for $1.9 million, 503 Tennessee households for $1.5 million, and 136 Indiana households for $200,000.

During a Nov. 23 sermon, Tome told his congregation about the “opportunity to multiply our impact.”

“They’ll get a letter that says, ‘Congratulations, your debt has been paid because someone loves you and there is a God that has not forgotten about you,'” he explained.

The yellow envelope recipients will receive in the mail explains that their medical debt has been paid, and includes information on how RIP Medical debt works, assuring recipients there are no strings attached.

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On Sunday, Tome read a short note written by one of the recipients, who remain anonymous to the church unless they choose to identify themselves.

“I received this piece of mail in this bright yellow envelope and started to throw it away,” the recipient wrote. “But when I saw that it said, ‘Your medical debt has been paid,’ I thought, ‘Seriously? Wait a minute.'”

“When I read it I got emotional because I have been so needing a break with getting my credit together. I really appreciate the gift.”



Tome explained the unearned and unmerited gift of debt payment mirrors the unearned and unmerited gift offered to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.

“This is actually the message of Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ pays our spiritual debt,” Tome said.

RIP Medical Debt told WXIX that the Crossroads donation is currently the largest amount of debt that has ever been retired.

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A graduate of Grand Canyon University, Kim Davis has been writing for The Western Journal since 2015, focusing on lifestyle stories.
Kim Davis began writing for The Western Journal in 2015. Her primary topics cover family, faith, and women. She has experience as a copy editor for the online publication Thoughtful Women. Kim worked as an arts administrator for The Phoenix Symphony, writing music education curriculum and leading community engagement programs throughout the region. She holds a degree in music education from Grand Canyon University with a minor in eating tacos.
Birthplace
Page, Arizona
Education
Bachelor of Science in Music Education
Location
Phoenix, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English
Topics of Expertise
Lifestyle & Human Interest




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