“I could never say thank you enough to fellow North Carolina
Baptists for helping pay my hospital bill through the Mother’s Day Offering,”
said Jim Gentry, a member of Mission Home
Baptist Church
in Fleetwood. “They gave us so much hope and strengthened our faith in the
goodness of God. They were a life-saver, believe me.”
God’s healing hand has been with Jim through heart surgery,
two carotid artery procedures, and surgery for lung cancer at North
Carolina Baptist Hospital
(a part of Wake Forest Baptist Health). “The doctors and staff at Baptist are
just wonderful. We’ve been amazed at how nice and caring everyone has
been. We are so thankful,” he said.
NCBH photo Jim and Shirley Gentry |
In the midst of their gratitude, Jim and his wife, Shirley,
faced the burden of tremendous financial stress after his second carotid
surgery. The constant pressure and worries made recovery much more difficult.
“We were having a tough time just making it. I’m retired and
have a fixed income. Shirley had just changed jobs and wasn’t working full
time. We were covered up in bills and the debt was getting deeper. The bill
collectors were calling. We were doing the best we could, but couldn’t make
ends meet. The stress wouldn’t stop.”
When Jim’s hospital bill arrived, on top of all the other
bills, they were overwhelmed. “The Gentrys fell between the cracks of assistance with his
hospital bill,” said Paul Mullen, director of church and community relations at
North Carolina Baptist Hospital. “They had too much to qualify for government
assistance or charity care, but not enough to pay his hospital bill they were
responsible for. They were burdened every day with worry and fear.”
“Christ’s compassion is meant for people like Jim and
Shirley,” Mullen said. “Near the heart of His agape-type love is mercy,
kindness and benevolence toward others in need. That’s what the Mother’s Day
Offering is all about. I had the privilege of sending Jim a letter that said,
‘Your hospital bill has been paid by compassionate and mission-minded North
Carolina Baptists in the name of Jesus Christ and His love.’ ”
“When I got that letter, I couldn’t keep from crying,” Jim
said. “When Shirley read it, she cried, too. They were tears of relief. It took
such a huge burden off our shoulders. North Carolina Baptists showed us that
God is still working through His people — that He still cares about us.”
“I’d like them to know that they made all the difference in
the world for us.”
Mullen added his gratitude to North Carolina Baptists for
their generosity and compassion for patients in need like Jim Gentry. “They are
extending the hands of Christ’s love through the Mother’s Day Offering, helping
people get back on their feet. God is at work through our gifts, drawing people
closer to Christ in life-changing gratitude,” he said. “As I’ve heard countless
patients say, I could never say thank you enough. Please join me in praying for
the 2011 Mother’s Day Offering. And please give generously as God leads you.”
Mother’s Day Offering materials, including a video of
patient testimonials, were mailed to every N.C. Baptist church. See video at
www.mothersdayoffering.org. Materials can be obtained by calling (336) 716-3027
or email [email protected].
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