Editor’s note: This information was published in the September 2018 issue of Heartfelt Magazine, CHM’s monthly magazine that provides CHM membership-related tips and tricks, medical advice from doctors, testimonies from CHM members, and more. Please refer to the CHM Guidelines and applicable web pages for the most up-to-date information regarding CHM membership, sharing eligibility, and ministry news.
Bethany Pavlak and Jonathan Lambert are part of the CHM department that enters medical bill information into the ministry’s database.
Bethany Pavlak
Please share your journey of becoming a Christian. Though I grew up in a Christian home, I saw Christianity as a lifestyle for people who were naturally nice to others. During the summer after my high school senior year, I attended Summit Ministries’ camp in Manitou Springs, Colo. It was the first time I’d heard arguments supporting the existence and power of Christ throughout history and outside of circular reasoning.
That summer altered everything about my life, and while a student at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, I began leading Young Life Western Reserve in Hudson, Ohio, a ministry for students and young adults with disabilities.
What difference do you hope to make at CHM? I want to encourage the people around me and ease the burdens of our CHM members.
What would you like members to know? Send us your medical bills as soon as you can. The sooner you give us complete itemized bills, the sooner we can begin the sharing process (which means faster reimbursement).
What is the most unusual job you’ve had? Though not an “unusual” job, I worked in a really small law firm for a few months. I served as a paralegal despite having never been trained. I learned at that time that I’m most certainly not cut out to be a paralegal!
What’s your most memorable vacation? My family traveled to Europe during Christmastime in 2014. We walked through Paris and attended a Christmas Day service at the Notre Dame Cathedral. I also bungee-jumped over a small lake in Switzerland. That will always be one of my favorite experiences.
What’s your top bucket list item? My favorite thing is adventuring with my new husband, Mike. We want to hike in Banff (Alberta, Canada) and visit some of the Nordic countries as soon as he completes his doctorate of physical therapy program.
Jonathan Lambert
Describe your favorite childhood memory. My birthday falls on a holiday, so my parents made a tradition of taking me on a weekend trip in lieu of gifts. I will always cherish those memories.
When did you become a Christian? I attended a summer camp when I was in middle school. While there, I asked Jesus to become my Lord and Savior.
What Bible passage do you appreciate most? John 15:13 which says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NIV)
Where did you work before joining CHM? I was the associate director of student services at Out-of-the-Box Academy, a special education provider in Akron, Ohio.
What’s one thing you couldn’t live without? It’s difficult to imagine life without a good cup of coffee. Well, coffee and Jesus, of course!
Where do you most like to be? As much as I enjoy adventures, I’m a homebody at heart. My favorite place to be is at home with my family, relaxing as we watch movies and cook out.
