Mike & Denise Reeves

We’ve been members of Living Hope since 2023. In January 2024, I had knee replacement surgery. Before the surgery, Steve Wisner came and prayed with us and encouraged us. He then followed up via phone and text after the surgery to insure all was going well. At first it seemed as though the recovery would be a breeze, but during the recovery I developed a pulmonary edema and thus began a journey that, over the next few months, would result in 18 days in the hospital and quadruple bypass.

During that time, Steve regularly visited and prayed with me and my wife. He visited us before and after
surgery and several times during stays in the hospital. We also received encouragement from brothers
and sisters as well as the pastoral staff. In Matthew 25:36 it says, “...I was sick and you visited me...”. The
New Living Translation says it like this, “...I was sick, and you cared for me...”. Because of the care and
support of Steve and others, my time in the hospital passed quickly and I never felt alone. Denise was
also comforted and encouraged as she had to make daily round trips to the hospital. God’s presence
gave us security and peace. The prayers and encouragement of Steve and the church family greatly
strengthened that feeling.

Following the bypass surgery, everything in my system was out of whack. My thyroid, kidneys, pancreas,
and liver weren’t functioning correctly, and I was having regular instances of Afib. But when Steve would
come to visit and pray with us, I felt encouraged, strengthened, and at peace. In James 5:16 the Word
tells us, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” By the time I was discharged, all my
organs were functioning normally and I’d had no instances of Afib for nearly two days. The prayer of
righteous men like Steve, as well as the Mercy team and our brothers and sisters at Living Hope, “has
great power as it is working.” I’m a living testament to that fact.

Last fall, they found my sternum had not healed correctly and in January 2025, I had another surgery to
fix that issue. Once again, Steve Wisner along with Freddie Albaugh rallied around us in prayer and
support. It’s such a blessing and comfort to know our brothers and sisters are there to not only pray for
us, but to care for us when we experience hardship. Somehow, we knew, even before the surgery,
everything would be alright.

May God richly bless Steve Wisner, Freddie Albaugh, the Pastors, the Mercy team, and all of our brothers
and sisters at Living Hope who lifted us up during those difficult times.