For 30 years, Pastor Jeffrey Harden built his life around faith and service. As an assistant manager at his job and the leader of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis, he worked tirelessly to support his family and community. But in 2018, everything changed.
One morning, Pastor Harden woke up feeling off—his left side wasn’t functioning properly. As the days went on, his condition worsened. He sought medical answers, but for months, doctors couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong. The financial burden of medical care quickly became overwhelming, and when he lost his job, he lost his health insurance too.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do,” he recalls. “I needed medical care, but without insurance, I couldn’t pay the bills.”
Then, a friend told him about Church Health. Through his church, he applied for care and was accepted. It was a lifeline—one he believes was part of God’s plan.
At Church Health, Pastor Harden received the medical attention he desperately needed, including physical therapy that helped him regain his mobility. Where he once had to rely on an elevator to reach his church’s pulpit, today he walks up the steps with confidence. Once unable to move freely through the sanctuary, he now moves with renewed strength, sharing his ministry with his congregation. Through the care, patience, and encouragement of Church Health’s team, he made steady progress.
“Now, I can walk up the steps, go down the steps, and move all around the sanctuary. I tell myself, ‘You’ve got to keep moving,’ and Church Health has helped me do that.”
Pastor Harden is not just a patient—he is now an advocate. He finds joy in encouraging others on their journey to recovery, celebrating alongside them as they regain independence. He speaks of the bell patients ring when they complete physical therapy, a powerful symbol of perseverance and healing.
Their work—his healing—is only possible because of donors like you.
“I’ve seen people come in just like me, struggling to move, but now they’re walking, standing, living. Without giving, there would be no Church Health. So thank you. You are a blessing to those in need.”
Because of your generosity, Pastor Harden is back where he belongs—leading, preaching, and walking in faith. Thank you for making stories like his possible.
For more information on the MEMPHIS Plan, contact tel: 901-272-7526 or visit MemphisPlan@ChurchHealth.org.
