Trinity Moravian Church: A Beacon of Hope in a Divided Community

Winston-Salem, N.C. – In a world where politics often seems to be the only thing that unites people, a group of church members from Trinity Moravian Church in Winston-Salem, N.C. is working together to make a real difference in their community. Despite their differing political beliefs, they have found common ground in a cause that affects us all: wiping out medical debt.

Source: media.npr.org

Reverend John Jackman, the leader of the 114-year-old church, came up with the idea of launching a campaign to pay off medical debt for people in the surrounding community four years ago. Since then, the church has made significant progress in this area, purchasing and retiring the debts of over 1,600 people.

One of the reasons why the church has been so successful in this endeavor is that it has managed to bring together people from different walks of life. Catherine Coe, a conservative who voted for President Trump, and Terri Mabe, a liberal who can’t stand the president, are just two examples of the diverse group of people who have come together to support this cause. Both women have seen firsthand the devastating effects of medical debt, and they are determined to do something about it.

Paul Sluder, a former credit union employee who has experience with debt collection, agrees that the system is ‘incredibly just unfair.’ He believes that people should not be forced into debt when they get sick, and that there needs to be a change in the way medical debt is handled.

According to a recent survey by the nonprofit Undue Medical Debt, more than 75% of Republicans and Democrats agree that patients’ wages should not be garnished to pay medical bills. This common ground is a testament to the fact that, despite our differences, we can come together to support a cause that affects us all.

When the debt campaign ended earlier this year, Reverend Jackman led a special ceremony at the church to mark the occasion. He stood before the congregation and held up a piece of paper with a long list of names, each one belonging to someone whose debt the church had purchased and retired. The ceremony was a powerful reminder of the impact that this campaign has had on the lives of people in the community.

As the church looks to the future, it is clear that its members are committed to continuing their work in this area. They believe that, by working together, they can make a real difference in the lives of people in their community, and that they can create a more just and equitable society for all.

A Common Ground Approach to Medical Debt

The Trinity Moravian Church’s approach to medical debt is a perfect example of how people from different backgrounds can come together to support a common cause. By focusing on the issue of medical debt, rather than the politics surrounding it, they have been able to build a coalition of support that transcends party lines.

According to Reverend Jackman, the key to their success has been to ‘fix what we can in the place where we’re planted.’ By taking action in their own community, they have been able to make a real difference in the lives of people who need it most.

As the church continues to work on this issue, it is clear that its members are committed to creating a more just and equitable society for all. They believe that, by working together, they can overcome even the most seemingly insurmountable challenges, and that they can make a real difference in the world.