Health Initiatives Program Testimonies

Lois H.

2009-10-27T09:51:00.002-05:00

Matthew White has outstanding coaching skills. Besides being very knowledgeable in his field, he is also able to provide adaptations suited for the individual he is working with. He was a great resource for my new fitness/wellness program. I know I'm in a better place now with the temple God has given me.

Because Matthew has the gift of encouragement, he coached me through times when I was hitting a plateau in my progress. In the past, I would have quit. But this time, I continued to press through and I feel I've established new habits for wellness.

I am thankful my husband chose to join me in the wellness pursuit and together we have now lost 65 pounds. I have lost 30 pounds and have lowered my total cholesterol number by 30 points. I praise God for his grace in this!

Mary P.

2009-10-25T09:44:00.001-05:00

I thank God for Christian Care Medi-Share and their Restore Program! As a very active home school mom of 3 children I was shocked to receive the diagnosis of breast cancer at age 47. After a lumpectomy and lymph node dissection, and much prayer and research, I chose not to participate in the conventional post-cancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiation, or hormone therapy). I knew I needed lifestyle changes but did not know where to turn. As I cried out to God, knowing my cancer was the "health wake-up call" I needed, He provided the Restore Program and a wonderful Health Education Consultant (Danielle Pichette) who encouraged me and held me accountable on a 6-week journey that has transformed my life forever! Praise God! The daily/weekly charts and assignments (and recommended books like "Eat to Live"), the web-site with phenomenal information, and most of all the concern for my whole-body health (spiritually, physically, emotionally), has blessed me beyond measure. Nine months ago I never dreamed my entire family would choose healthy fruits, vegetables, and green smoothies, over our previous frequent fast food, junk food, sugar/sweets, and heavy meat and dairy diets! My husband and I are 30-pounds lighter and feel great. Exercise is fun! Truly our bodies, taste-buds, desires, and cravings have changed. We thank God for our "health wake-up call" and providing Christian Care Medi-Share programs to educate us so we can be good stewards, responsible Christians, and take care of the gift of our bodies in a way that honors and glorifies our Great God.

Stephen H.

2009-10-07T08:32:00.002-05:00

Restore was a continuation of diet and exercise changes my wife and I had begun to make several years ago. Most of the material was not new to us since we had done considerable research already. I do appreciate the "wholeness" approach from a Christian organization. Many of our church folk need the Restore program! There is far too much emphasis (especially among older people) on pharmaceutical solutions to health problems.

Sheila H.

2009-09-29T08:27:00.001-05:00

The Restore program has been something of an adventure, and I'm glad that my husband and I could do this together. Katie Kolb was a delight to visit with on the phone, and we found that we stuck to the program as much for her as for ourselves. We had already begun making the changes in our diet and exercise, so the program was more of a continuing incentive than a great change. Still, setting goals and making regular evaluations has been a good experience.

Alison A.

2009-09-25T11:43:00.001-05:00

Only God can restore a person to sanity and in the area of eating I needed a miracle. The Restore program was God's answer to my prayer. I tried everything in my own strength and was a dismal failure. But with the help of Restore, I was able to make a radical lifestyle change in the area of eating. I have lost 30 pounds, I am never hungry and I feel great! I value the encouragement of Angela, my Health Consultant, so very much! Her knowledge, experience, and faith have been invaluable to me.

Cynthia C.

2009-09-13T09:07:00.003-05:00

Every aspect of the program was helpful to me. I enjoyed learning so much about my body and my overall health. I liked having a consultant to discuss my progress with and to encourage me along the way. One of the main benefits that I have experienced from the program is that I am sleeping better than I have been in a long time. The information that I've gleaned from the Restore Program will keep me fit for a lifetime.

Shauna H.

2009-09-11T08:55:00.005-05:00

I felt like I was doing an ok job and that I had a lot of knowledge before I started the program, but it gave me the push to be more consistent and to be more drastic in my choices. Accountability and challenge are good for me and I tend to rise to the occasion. This time it really paid off. My cholesterol level went from 222 to 172 in 3 months and I am in better shape than I have been in years. My doctor told me that my results were dramatic and exciting and he did not want me to lose any more weight! Which, by the way, was not my main goal, but was a great side benefit to being more disciplined in my eating and exercise. It was well worth my time to be involved in the program, because it raised my awareness of everything I put into my mouth and what I was or was not doing with my body. Praise God for giving us the ability to get stronger and healthier with His help!

Christopher B.

2009-09-03T14:51:00.004-05:00

My consultant, Matt White, was always very professional. His knowledge in the areas of health and fitness is extensive. He was always ready with advice and encouragement in assessing and developing safe and attainable goals. Matt is an asset and credit to your organization.

I would not have considered paying money over the last year for such a service, but looking back, I have gained knowledge and confidence that is well worth it.

On a personal level. I enjoy Matt. He has always been open with sharing his personal story when asked and seems to be truly interested in me as a Christian brother.

Thank you!

Bin Z.

2009-08-28T14:30:00.003-05:00

I started to look different just one week after following the program. Moreover, I am feeling much better with my energy, sleeping, weight, concentration, etc. I am much healthier now. My next goal is to try to lower my blood pressure, and eventually stop taking it.

Martin S.

2009-08-19T14:24:00.000-05:00

The Restore Program has dramatically changed my exercise and eating habits. Angela was very helpful and a real pleasure to work with. In a few short weeks, I was able to lose 25 pounds and lower my bad cholesterol significantly. I was a skeptic at first but have learned that with a few adjustments, bad habits can be changed permanently. If I can do it, anyone can!

Rebecca H.

2009-08-10T14:44:00.001-05:00

Katie was wonderful! It was a blessing to have her encouraging me. I'm so busy with my ministry, I don't even think about what I'm doing. Katie helped me to remember things I already knew and put into action things I had quit doing. Thank you for all you've done!

Jay T.

2009-08-10T14:34:00.001-05:00

Katie was always very encouraging to me. I never felt rushed. She helped me be realistic about where I am and always found ways to be positive! She helped me set goals, identify barriers to achieving those goals, and made strategies for overcoming those barriers. I learned so much! My health is in a better place as a result of being in Restore. Thank you!

Jen O.

2009-08-10T14:21:00.001-05:00

I completely believe that the LORD led me to pursue the Restore program in order to realign my life in the area of health and fitness. I was totally consumed by the sin of gluttony and my body reflected the consequences of that sin. I basically did not exercise at all. Remarkably, my health in general did not reflect my very bad behavior. My cholesterol and blood pressure were low. Yet, I knew that I was on the cusp of spiraling into very bad health (I am 48 years old) and taking my husband (66 years old) with me. Through much prayer and the inspiration of my best friend (who is still on the Restore Program), I made the call that would change this area of my life. I have lost 17.5 pounds, 5 inches in my waist, and 4.5 inches in my hips. My husband has lost 32 pounds. I have a long way to go and I still pray for perseverance to run this race. My coach has inspired me to realize that "Exercise is Fun"! I thank Matt White for being so extremely encouraging. Matt educated me in the area of physical fitness and I am sure that I drove him crazy with my 90's VCR exercise videos. I have tried many new exercises, watched multitudes of videos, listened to almost every audio, and read every item (and then some) in my Restore assignments. I guess to sum it all up; I see things from a new perspective. I am healthier. I eat great and I don't feel slighted. I am always full. I make better choices. I thank Matt and the Restore Program. But mostly, I thank my God and to Him I give all the glory for any success--past present and future!

Tanya C.

2009-06-18T14:01:00.002-05:00

I had tried losing weight before Restore. I didn't have much success at all. I have now lost over 20 pounds in less than three months! It is very helpful having someone who keeps me accountable to eating healthy and to working out very consistently. The materials are very helpful in re-structuring the way I thought about food, and eating healthy. I am very grateful for Restore and the healthier place it has helped me to achieve. I still have a ways to go until my ideal weight, however, I know I will get there and that I will be able to maintain it because of the new habits I have formed.

D. Sexton

2009-06-11T12:53:00.002-05:00

I started out a skeptic in the program and did not believe I could feel this much better, or lower my cholesterol. Katie Kolb did an outstanding job in working with me to improve my goals for a healthier lifestyle. The resources made available to me, along with the coaching every two weeks, was invaluable. I believe the fact that I was accountable to a professional and obligated to Medi-Share gave me the extra incentive to continue the program. Now that I feel so much better I am hooked on the healthy lifestyle. Thank you for the life changing experience I now enjoy after completing this program. I don't have the cholesterol result yet but can't wait to see them. Thank you again for being such a blessing to myself and part of my family.

B. Parker

2009-05-14T13:32:00.000-05:00

So far I have lost 30 pounds and four inches from my waistline. The program has been super. I was scrambling some tofu the other day for breakfast. I told my wife that if you had told me six months ago I would be eating tofu I would have laughed. I am eating better and enjoying my life. Thanks!

T. Foster Sr.

2009-05-12T13:28:00.000-05:00

The accountabilty and the encouragement that this program offers is just what some of us need, to begin moving in the right direction. As it's been said, "The direction your moving in is as important, if not more so than what you are accomplishing at the moment." I needed that little extra encouragement to begin to move in the right direction once again. Even my family doctor was excited to hear what was taking place with the accountability. Thanks for your help.

G. Beedle

2009-05-12T09:00:00.002-05:00

My husband, David, and I thank God that we found Restore. Each evening before our meal my husband would pray, "May this food bring health and nutrition to our bodies." I have to admit sometimes I thought to myself, "Is he ever going to pray something else more original?" But praise God, He answered that prayer! He led us to the Restore program through Medi-Share, and finally, we learned the reason we couldn't shed that extra 25 pounds that was always with us. Now we have each lost the extra weight and continue to maintain our new slim bodies with the lifestyle changes Restore recommended. Mainly, we walk 4 miles five days a week, and eat all the fruits and vegetables we want. My husbands blood lipid levels have all leveled out into normal ranges, and we continue to monitor it closely. Thanks to the Restore program and the great counseling we received. We are enjoying our new found health and lifestyle every day!

K. Harrison

2009-05-08T08:17:00.001-05:00

Katie was a great help and always had an answer to my myriad of questions. She never rushed me. She made and kept our scheduled appointments for first thing Monday morning every other week. She assisted me in making and reassessing specific, measurable, and realistic health related goals. She helped me identify barriers to achieving my goals and helped me make strategies for overcoming them. I have lost 45+ pounds, am eating healthy, and I am at a better place health-wise as a result of working with Katie.

D. Lemley

2009-05-02T13:59:00.000-05:00

The Restore program was helpful in increasing my awareness toward a healthy diet and exercise program.

L. McNeill

2009-04-30T13:55:00.001-05:00

When I started the Restore program I was very nervous since I had always had difficulty losing weight. In addition, I had trouble exercising due to an old ankle injury and I wondered whether this program could work for me. I was also nervous about working with a consultant, fearful of being judged or of not having any say in what I ate. All these fears were unfounded, I discovered, as I watched the Lord work in my life through the Restore program. My consultant was patient, prayed regularly with me, and had an uncanny ability to quote just the right scripture at the right time. I benefited greatly from her knowledge and from the accountability for my eating choices through keeping a food diary. As I began to lose weight and inches I was relieved and felt more confident that my body could actually let go of excess pounds. I wasn't destined to be fat, as I had often felt.

But my most important loss was not physical. I lost some of my deeply held attachment to food. Even before Restore, the Lord had begun to deal with my idolatry of food. Now through the program he worked in my heart to love Him more and to see that His love for me will not allow me to eat myself to death. His heart-cleansing deepened my discernment and has changed my walk with Him. Now, the Lord has given me opportunities to share these things with friends who are changing their eating habits as well. One of my friends has even been able to get off diabetes medicine!

I hear God calling his children to bodily stewardship and I have personally experienced the blessing of answering the call. I pray that those whom God leads to read my testimony will be encouraged to follow Him, knowing that "The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him" (Psalm 25:14) I've heard it said, "Those who fear the Lord fear nothing else, but those who do not fear the Lord fear everything else." I started the program with fear of failure, judgment, weight gain... But I'm graduating with a deeper fear of the Lord and renewed excitement to learn the secrets He illuminates as we walk together.

J. Thomason

2009-04-30T13:48:00.001-05:00

Being on this program is the first time that I have started a workout plan and stuck with it. I have learned so much that has helped me develop a more healthy and realistic outlook on my personal fitness. Before, I always knew that I needed to do something but I did not know what to do. I would take a stab at a few things for a day or two and then quit, thinking that it was not possible for me to change. I am still not where I want to be but I am a lot closer than ever before and I know that with time, I can make it. Thank you so much for helping me!

J. Johnson

2009-04-15T14:53:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to share with you and the rest of the staff. I am an investor, entrepreneur and student of economics as well as former editor and publisher of business publications. For years, I have studied the looming health care problems that our country is facing and will continue to face. And I am absolutely convinced that the only long-term solution that will truly change our country’s health crisis, as well as the subsequent economic crisis that follows it, will be Medi-Share’s biblical approach to healthcare and long-term health restoration.

At some point, after politicians and leaders continue to experience long-term failures in this area that will lead to crisis after crisis, they will be forced to look at successful models. And it’s during that time that I believe Medi-Share, the city on the hill, will shine so bright that the world will not be able to ignore its proven biblical approach. Medi-Share and its affiliates will be a witness and testimony to not only our nation, but the rest of the world, for the glory of God!

So, with each new client who is being restored to long-term health, like myself, you are continuing to build a vast multitude of transformed lives as witnesses to God’s ways and methods. Not only that, but each transformed life is a witness to family members, friends, colleagues, and neighbors of the power of God applied in a systematic and practical way that dramatically improves quality of life and longevity, not to mention the economic savings from good health.

I am glad that I get to be one of those witnesses!

J. Price

2009-04-04T08:43:00.001-05:00

I hope this doesn't sound strange, but something as simple as using Flax Seed on Oatmeal, salads, and in the shakes is still something I do. Thanks Angela!!! My wife is also a partner with me and it helps to have her support. Another thing has changed. We are staying away from milk and sugar as much as possible. I think what Medi-Share has helped with more is this thing about lifestyle eating. At our age, we want more than just maintenance although maintenance is good.

D. Dersch

2009-04-02T08:56:00.000-05:00

The Medi-Share Restore program gave me the motivation to make the dietary and lifestyle changes that I knew I should make. Katie was very helpful and encouraging.