Redeeming Healthcare Together: Michael and Jesse

When Michael came to Watermark Health he was searching for a job and facing a difficult time with his family. He was experiencing some stomach issues that brought him into the clinic.

During his visit Michael was invited to share how he was doing beyond his physical health. He opened up about a pornography addiction and a dangerous path this addiction was taking him down.

“When I was asked about how I would rate my mental health, I broke down. I was going through so many things in my life, I had tried so many things to close the gap of depression…pornography, temptation to commit sin…I had not cheated on my wife but it was leading me to that step. All of those things- I was hitting rock bottom.” - Michael, WMH Patient

Jesse, the charge nurse who spent time with Michael that day could see the burden he was carrying.

I really appreciated that you were not afraid to tell me what was going on in your life. It was easy to see that the burden you were carrying was causing a lot of the physical symptoms you were having. - Jesse Collins, RN

Jesse spoke to God's healing through confession and invited Michael to learn more at Watermark's recovery ministry, re:generation.

“I knew from my own experience in going through re:gen that it was something God had used for me and for many other people to bring healing.” -Jesse Collins

Michael took Jesse up on his offer and they met one another in the lobby the following week. Within 2 weeks of walking through the re:gen process, Michael decided to re-dedicate his life to Christ. He continued on to find biblical community and complete the 12 steps of recovery, growing in his relationship with Christ along the way. Michael has been able to maintain sobriety from his pornography addiction and has seen the fruit of how that patient visit affected all of his life and his family.

I wasn’t expecting I would go to a doctor to tell them about my personal stories. But I had someone willing to listen to me and offering solutions. Infusing the biblical principles of getting healing with the medical... it really changed a lot for me. - Michael

Michael at his re:gen graduation celebration.

Now, Michael is able to extend the healing that he's found to others. He's shared his testimony with friends going through similar struggles and has invited them to participate in various re:gen programs around the nation. One friend back in his home country of Nigeria is joining an online group weekly to find healing. Michael still carries the business card he received at Watermark Health with information about the recovery ministry in his wallet.  

I want to thank you all for helping people like me to have the good health they deserve, but also to help them with their spiritual journey. - Michael

Watching this story play out in front of him has encouraged Jesse to reflect on the impact one patient visit can have.

"The way that Watermark Health is redeeming healthcare is by sitting down with one person at a time, asking to hear their story, and seeing them as more than a chief complaint, but seeing them as someone created in the image of God that God is pursuing and wants to have a relationship with.” - Jesse

One patient visit can completely change someone's life. It costs Watermark Health approximately $160 to see a patient at our Urgent Care clinic. Will you consider making future patient visits like Michael's possible? $15,000 helps run our clinic for a whole week.

A $200,000 match has been made available by generous donors who believe in the mission of Watermark Health. Now through September 18th at midnight, your giving of any amount can be doubled!

Give through any Watermark Health platform to meet our match by Sept 18th!

watermarkhealth.org/give .