Why a Somerset church is asking for prayers, encouragement and donations for a Jennerstown family
SOMERSET ― A local church is asking for the community’s prayers, encouragement and financial support on behalf of a Jennerstown couple and their children.
Tim Page and his wife, Destiny, lead the children’s ministry at the First Apostolic Church of Somerset, said the Rev. Chad Bradley, pastor.
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On Jan. 5, Tim Page was seriously injured in an underground mining accident in Somerset County, breaking both of his humerus (upper arm) bones and sustaining numerous internal injuries, including a lacerated liver, Bradley said.
Page was transferred on Jan. 15 from Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center in Johnstown to UPMC Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh. Bradley said Page is conscious and is being treated in a specialized care unit there, where he is expected to stay for an unknown amount of time.
“We’re not sure how long. They’re still trying to get things resolved with his vital organs,” he said about Page’s condition. “They’ve done some procedures and are waiting to see if they have to do surgery on his liver.”
Destiny Page has been at her husband’s side since the accident, and family members here at home are caring for the couple’s four children, ages 16, 14, 10 and 4.
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How to help the Page family
The church congregation has also provided support to the family since the accident occurred, and on Jan. 17, the church reached out through its Instagram and Facebook pages to ask for prayers, encouragement and financial help for the Page family.
“We kindly request your prayers for the affected family as they navigate this challenging time,” the Facebook post read. “Our prayers hold the power to uplift and provide strength, comfort and healing. Let us channel our love and faith towards these individuals, invoking divine protection and guidance.”
The church has also started a benevolence fund to collect financial contributions to help the family.
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In addition to medical expenses the Page family will incur during Tim’s lengthy recovery, he will be unable to work for a long time after he returns home. This puts the family in a difficult financial situation because he was his family’s sole means of financial support, Bradley said.
“He has a long road to recovery before he will be able to lift anything, or do anything,” he said. “They (the Pages) are usually the ones who want to help others, not ask for help. We want to get the word out because they need help. We felt the community would want to help this family, and that there were people who also wanted to help by lifting them in prayer.”
Checks or money orders should be made payable to First Apostolic Church and say “Tim and Destiny” on the memo line. The church’s mailing address is 141 Forward Blvd., Somerset, PA 15501.
Bradley said that the family will receive 100% of all donations made to the benevolence fund and all contributions are tax-deductible, as the church will send out statements at the end of the year to those who contribute.
Cards of encouragement can also be mailed to Tim and Destiny Page in care of the First Apostolic Church. Bradley said that cards sent to the church will be collected and delivered to the Pages to open for themselves.
“No act of kindness is too small, and through our collective efforts, we can bring solace and alleviate the burden on this family’s shoulders,” the church’s Facebook post said.
Bradley added that “Scripture (Ecclesiastes 4:9) says that ‘two are better than one, for if one falls, another can help a brother or sister out.’
“We typically want to be helpers, but we all have struggled. It’s a service to the Kingdom to help a brother or sister out. It’s better to give than to receive, and I know God will bless those that give.”
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: First Apostolic Church Somerset asking community to help Jennerstown family
