Life-Changing Support Inspires Legacy of Giving

Sharon met her late husband, Sam—an “American Baptist to the core”—while playing the organ at the church he pastored in Denver, Colorado.

In 1993, Sam suffered a massive heart attack. He was in the hospital for 55 days, 37 of which were in the ICU on life support.

“When we were blessed with his miraculous recovery, we were told that after gaining some strength, he would need to return to the hospital for extensive heart surgery in order to be able to live a normal life,” Sharon explains. “The problem was that his insurance was maxed out because of the expenses with his serious condition and long hospitalization.”

The desperate couple contacted The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board of American Baptist Churches (MMBB). The organization graciously stepped in and assisted so Sam could undergo the surgery.

“That act of kindness literally saved his life,” Sharon says. “He carried on a fruitful and productive ministry for 11 years following his surgery.”

As a reflection of her gratitude for what the organization did for them, Sharon has given loyally to Heritage of Sharing for 17 years. This past year, she also named MMBB as a beneficiary of her MMBB plan.

“We acknowledge the impact of the blessing that we received and want others who find themselves facing hardship to know that they have the resources that they need,” Sharon says.

Like Sharon, you, too, can make a lasting difference at MMBB as part of your legacy. Please contact Lisa Marie Gerondeau at (212) 870-8007 or lisa.gerondeau@mmbb.org to learn more.