Member with pre-existing heart condition says CHM embodies Jesus’ call to love one another, Glenn Stoops, Moreland, Georgia

I knew all along that God was in control and the situation would work out as He planned.

I woke up one morning in 2015 feeling unusually lethargic and uneasy: It seemed as if something was wrong with my heart. I promised my wife that if I didn’t feel better by the time my general practitioner’s office opened, I’d head straight there; I was waiting at the door as it was unlocked.

Within five minutes, I was on a table with EKG cables and an oxygen mask, chewing on an aspirin while they tried to determine whether I was having a heart attack. Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion.

After my doctor sent me to the hospital for a series of tests, my heart returned to normal; the doctor wondered if there even was anything wrong. Over the next several months I underwent a myriad of tests to try and find a diagnosis for my symptoms—it ended up being atrial fibrillation (AFib).

My cardiologist reviewed the treatment options with me; they included surgery and medication. The medication didn’t work for me, and I wasn’t quite ready for surgery. I opted to maintain my condition with a healthy exercise regime that worked quite well for several years.

My wife and I joined CHM in 2017. We had researched health cost sharing ministries for a while and were encouraged by CHM’s programs for maintained pre-existing conditions such as my AFib.* CHM’s Gold and Brother’s Keeper programs are a great fit for us in this season of life—especially as we look forward to retiring soon.

In 2019, two years after we joined CHM, I finally opted to have an ablation surgery. My heart episodes could no longer be maintained as before, and I was in a state of persistent arrhythmia and atrial flutter.

When the day of surgery finally arrived, my cardiologist remarked he had never seen a heart with so much “angry” electrical activity. I know God guided the surgeon’s hands, as during surgery my arrhythmia and atrial flutter stopped immediately. In fact, my heart returned to normal, and I’ve yet to experience another symptom!

Throughout this process my interactions with CHM have been nothing short of amazing. The level of compassion and thoughtfulness that each person exhibited during all my calls astounded me. It was evident that everyone cared about me and what I was going through.

Submitting my medical bills through the Gold schedule for pre-existing conditions was very easy. CHM, through it's very generous ministry members, shared $44,000 in heart surgery bills. Praise to God for the generosity, care, support and prayers He provided through CHM members!

My experience undergoing heart surgery and working with CHM reminded me of the unique care Christians have for one another. From staff to members, I believe that everyone at CHM embodies Jesus’ call to love one another.

I’ve been reminded that God is in charge. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” I knew all along that God was in control, and the situation would work out as He planned. I know my ability to have such strong faith was strengthened by the tremendous prayer support from my wife and family, my church small group, my Bible Study Fellowship men’s group and CHM members. There is amazing power in prayer.

*Editor’s note: Medical bills cannot be shared if, at the time you join CHM, you have experienced any signs or symptoms or your bills are from pre-existing conditions that are actively needing treatment. Conditions are considered “maintained” if you have gone at least 90 days without testing or treatment and your doctor states that you are cured or on a maintenance treatment regimen. For more information see the CHM Guidelines.