Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly

>>> COMING UP, PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND EVANGELICALS.

KIM LAWTON TALKS WITH DONALD TRUMP'S NEW LIAISON TO THE EVANGELICAL WORLD.

>>> ALSO, CHRISTIAN HEALTH INSURANCE.

LUCKY SEVERSON REPORTS ON SAMARITAN MINISTRIES -- 60,000 FAMILIES PAYING MONTHLY DUES TO HELP OTHERS WITH THEIR MEDICAL BILLS, JUST AS THE OTHERS HELP THEM.

>>> AND THE 60th BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR OF THE JESUIT VOLUNTEER CORPS -- YOUNG COLLEGE GRADUATES LIMPING SIMPLY IN COMMUNITY TO MINISTER TO PEOPLE IN NEED.

DEBORAH POTTER TALKS WITH THEM ABOUT HOW THEIR WORK AND THEIR FRIENDSHIPS HAVE CHANGED THEIR LIVES.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY" IS PROVIDED BY -- >> ADDITIONAL FUNDING ALSO PROVIDED BY -- >>> WELCOME.

I'M BOB ABERNETHY.

IT'S GOOD TO HAVE YOU WITH US.

>>> PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITED HIROSHIMA, JAPAN, ON FRIDAY.

HE IS THE FIRST SITTING AMERICAN PRESIDENT TO VISIT THE SITE OF THE ATOMIC BOMBING AT THE END OF WAR WORLD II.

RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND ANTINUCLEAR ACTIVISTS ENCOURAGED THE VISIT.

DURING HIS TRIP, OBAMA MET WITH SURVIVORS AND REAFFIRMED HIS HOPE FOR A WORLD WITHOUT NUCLEAR WEAPONS.

>>> HILLARY CLINTON AND DONALD TRUMP BOTH SOUGHT BACKING FROM LATINO EVANGELICALS THIS PAST WEEK.

IN RECENT ELECTIONS, EVANGELICALS HAVE BEEN A CORE PART OF THE REPUBLICAN COALITION.

BUT THEY ARE DIVIDED OVER WHETHER TO SUPPORT TRUMP.

NOW, AS KIM LAWTON REPORTS, THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN IS STEPPING UP ITS EVANGELICAL OUTREACH.

>> Reporter: SOME EVANGELICALS HAVE RAISED QUESTIONS ABOUT DONALD TRUMP'S CHARACTER, THE STRENGTH OF HIS CONSERVATIVE CONVICTIONS AND HIS RHETORIC.

HOPING TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS, TRUMP WILL HOLD A PRIVATE, INVITATION-ONLY MEETING WITH ABOUT 500 EVANGELICAL LEADERS ON JUNE 21st.

ONE OF THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE MEETING IS OHIO PASTOR AND CHRISTIAN BROADCASTER FRANK AMEDIA.

AMEDIA HAS JUST BEEN NAMED THE TRUMP CAMPAIGN'S "LIAISON FOR CHRISTIAN POLICY," A VOLUNTEER POSITION.

HE SAYS THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING WILL BE SIMPLE.

>> I BELIEVE IT WILL BE DIALOGUE.

THAT THEY WILL HEAR HIS HEART.

THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED THEMSELVES UPON SEEING THE HEART OF THE MAN, NOT THROUGH THE MEDIA, NOT THROUGH CAMPAIGN STUMPING, BUT FACE TO FACE.

>> Reporter: AMEDIA LEADS THE NONDENOMINATIONAL TOUCH HEAVEN MINISTRIES IN CANFIELD, OHIO.

HE IS PART OF THE CHARISMATIC CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT WHICH EMPHASIZES SPIRITUAL PRACTICES SUCH AS SPEAKING IN TONGUES, PROPHECY, HEALINGS AND OTHER MIRACLES.

HE BELIEVES IN THE END, EVANGELICALS WILL SUPPORT TRUMP.

>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE ISSUES, THERE'S NO DOUBT THAT THE CONTRAST IS CLEAR.

IT'S NOT GRAY.

IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT TRUMP STACKS UP MORE ON THE LINE WITH OUR CHRISTIAN FUNDAMENTAL DOCTRINES AND CONCERNS THAN HILLARY OR OBAMA DO, OR THEY HAVE.

>> Reporter: LAST WEEK, AMEDIA ATTENDED THE NATIONAL HISPANIC CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OR NHCLC'S CONVENTION IN CALIFORNIA, ATTENDED BY MORE NAN 1,000 LATINO EVANGELICALS.

PRETAPED VIDEOS FROM BOTH PRESUMPTIVE NOMINEES WERE SHOWN.

IN A VIDEO SHOT ON HIS JET, TRUMP FOCUSED ON ECONOMIC ISSUES.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF MINORITY UNEMPLOYMENT.

IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.

IT'S REALLY UNFAIR TO MINORITIES AND WE ARE GOING TO SOLVE THAT PROBLEM, AND IT'S GOING TO BE SOLVED ONCE AND FOR ALL.

>> Reporter: HE MADE NO RELIGIOUS REFERENCES, ALTHOUGH HE PRAISED THE NHCLC.

>> NATIONAL.

HISPANIC.

CHRISTIAN.

THREE GREAT WORDS.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU.

WE'RE GOING TO WORK WITH YOU.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE VERY HAPPY.

YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE PRESIDENT TRUMP.

>> Reporter: IN HER VIDEO, HILLARY CLINTON SPOKE OF THE NEED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AND SAID SHE WOULD PUSH FOR COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION REFORM.

SHE ALSO TALKED ABOUT HER UNITED METHODIST FAITH.

>> I'VE BEEN A PERSON OF FAITH ALL MY LIFE, AND THE LESSONS I'VE LEARNED FROM MY FAMILY AND CHURCH GUIDE ME EVERY DAY OF THIS CAMPAIGN.

MANY DAYS, I FIND MYSELF THINKING ABOUT ST. PAUL'S LETTER TO THE GALATIANS.

"DO NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING GOOD FOR IN DUE SEASON, YOU SHALL REAP A HARVEST OF BLESSINGS."

>> Reporter: IT'S NOT CLEAR HOW MUCH SUPPORT CLINTON COULD GET AMONG EVANGELICALS.

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY LAST MONTH BY THE EVANGELICAL FIRM THE BARNA GROUP, 67% OF REGISTERED EVANGELICAL VOTERS HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW OF TRUMP.

BUT 81% OF THEM HAVE AN UNFAVORABLE VIEW OF CLINTON.

I'M KIM LAWTON IN CANFIELD, OHIO.

>>> FEDERAL PROSECUTORS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THAT THEY WILL SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY FOR DYLAN ROOF.

THE 22-YEAR-OLD IS ACCUSED OF KILLING NINE BLACK PARISHIONERS AT AN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA, LAST JUNE.

FEDERAL PROSECUTORS RARELY SEEK THE DEATH PENALTY AGAINST DEFENDANTS.

THE STATE PROSECUTOR HAS SAID THAT SOME OF THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES ARE OPPOSED TO THE DEATH PENALTY DUE TO THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEFS, BUT OTHER FAMILIES FEEL IT IS APPROPRIATE.

SOME RELATIVES OF THE SLAIN WORSHIPPERS OFFERED FORGIVENESS DURING ROOF'S INITIAL COURT APPEARANCE.

>>> OFFICIALS FROM 11 STATES HAVE SUED THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION OVER ITS REQUIREMENT THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTRY PROVIDE TRANSGENDER STUDENTS WITH EQUAL ACCESS TO EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.

THE DIRECTIVE MADE CLEAR THAT SCHOOLS MUST ALSO ALLOW TRANSGENDER STUDENTS TO USE BATHROOMS CONSISTENT WITH THEIR GENDER IDENTITY.

THE LAWSUIT WAS FILED IN FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT IN WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, AND INCLUDES OTHER STATES, AMONG THEM ALABAMA, GEORGIA AND LOUISIANA.

>>> DOZENS ARE FEARED DEAD AFTER A MIGRANT BOAT CAPSIZED OFF THE COAST OF LIBYA ON THURSDAY.

IT WAS THE SECOND SUCH INCIDENT IN TWO DAYS.

ON WEDNESDAY, ABOUT 560 PEOPLE WERE RESCUED AND AT LEAST 5 DIED.

IN THE PAST 2 YEARS, AN ESTIMATED 7,000 HAVE DIED IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AS THEY TRIED TO REACH EUROPE.

MEANWHILE, A NEW U.N. REPORT NOTES THAT DESPITE THE TENTATIVE CEASE-FIRE FOOD AID REACHED ONLY ABOUT HALF OF THOSE DESIEGED IN SYRIA IN APRIL.

OFFICIALS SAID THAT WHILE A LARGER NUMBER IS RECEIVING AID THAN IN THE PAST, MUCH MORE NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP THE 13.5 MILLION IN NEED ACROSS THE WAR-TORN NATION.

ATTEMPTING TO ADDRESS WHAT SOME SAY IS THE WORST HUMANITARIAN SITUATION SINCE WORLD WAR II, LEADERS GATHERED IN ISTANBUL THIS PAST WEEK FOR THE FIRST WORLD HUMANITARIAN SUMMIT.

REPRESENTATIVES OF 65 GOVERNMENTS AND THE VATICAN ATTENDED THE TWO-DAY U.N. MEETING.

POPE FRANCIS PRAYED FOR THE SUMMIT'S SUCCESS.

STILL, U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON EXPRESSED DISAPPOINTMENT THAT SOME OF THE WORLD'S WEALTHIEST NATIONS, INCLUDING THE U.S., HAD NOT ATTENDED THE MEETING.

>>> A COALITION OF 30 HEALTH AND HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE CHRISTIAN RELIEF GROUP WORLD VISION, RELEASED A NEW REPORT NOTING THAT DELIBERATE OR INDISCRIMINATE ATTACKS HAVE DECIMATED HEALTH FACILITIES IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES.

THE ATTACKS HAVE ALSO KILLED MEDICAL WORKERS AND PATIENTS.

COUNTLESS CIVILIANS IN 19 COUNTRIES LACKED MEDICAL CARE DURING 2015 AND THE FIRST THREE MONTHS OF 2016.

THE REPORT POINTED TO THE RECENT BOMBING AND SHELLING OF HOSPITALS IN COUNTRIES SUCH AS AFGHANISTAN AND SYRIA, AS WELL AS THE BURNING AND LOOTING OF HEALTH FACILITIES IN SEVERAL AFRICAN COUNTRIES.

>>> THIS WEEK IN AN UNPRECEDENTED VISIT, POPE FRANCIS WELCOMED TO THE VATICAN SHEIKH AHMED EL-TAYEB, GRAND IMAM OF THE PREEMINENT AL-AZHAR MOSQUE IN CAIRO.

THE MEETING MARKED THE RESUMPTION OF DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE TWO INSTITUTIONS.

THE RELATIONSHIP HAD FRAYED WHEN POPE BENEDICT IN 2011 DEMANDED MORE PROTECTION FOR CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT AFTER A SERIES OF ATTACKS.

WE HAVE A LUCKY SEVERSON STORY NOW ABOUT CHRISTIAN WHOSE HAVE TURNED AWAY FROM COMMERCIAL OR GOVERNMENT MEDICAL INSURANCE TO JOIN A SUBSTITUTE PROGRAM.

IN THIS CASE, PART OF SAMARITAN MINISTRIES.

EACH FAMILY'S DUES EACH MONTH HELP PAY SOMEONE ELSE'S MEDICAL BILLS AND VICE VERSA, AS NEEDS ARISE.

>> Reporter: THESE ARE JONATHAN AND DINA'S KIDS, SEVEN OF THEM.

DINA IS PREGNANT WITH THE EIGHTH.

JONATHAN SAYS IT WASN'T THEIR PLAN.

>> IT'S THE PATH GOD TOOK US DOWN, KICKING AND SCREAMING.

A SENSE OF HUMOR.

WE THOUGHT TWO, MAYBE THREE.

>> Reporter: WHEN JONATHAN'S INSURANCE RATE STARTED GOING UP AND THE BABIES KEPT COMING, THEY KEPT PRAYING.

THEY ARE CONVINCED THEIR PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED WHEN THEY FOUND A CHRISTIAN HEALTH CARE PROGRAM CALMED SAMARITAN MINISTRIES.

IT'S ONE OF THE FOUR LARGEST HEALTH-SHARING MINISTRIES IN THE U.S. CONGRESS EXEMPTED FROM OBAMA CARE REGULATIONS BECAUSE THEY WERE IN BUSINESS PRIOR TO THE YEAR 2000.

>> IT'S A MINISTRY THAT THRIVES ON OBVIOUSLY HAVING CHRISTIAN CHURCH MEMBERS HELPING OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCH MEMBERS.

AND THAT I FEEL IS THE PROPER BIBLICAL VIEW WHEN IT COMES TO SOMETHING LIKE THIS, IN HEALTHCARE, YOU KNOW.

IT'S, "I CAN HELP MY BROTHER, I CAN HELP MY NEIGHBOR, AND THEY WILL HELP ME."

AND THAT'S A LOVE SYSTEM VERSUS A CORPORATE CONCEPT.

>> COMPLETELY NONDENOMINATIONAL CHRISTIANS FROM ALL ACROSS BAPTIST, PRESBYTERIAN PENTECOSTAL, CATHOLIC, YOU KNOW, EVERY SINGLE STRIPE OF CHRISTIAN.

I THINK WE HAVE A MEMBER REPRESENTING THAT.

>> Reporter: JAMES LANSBERRY IS THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF SAMARITAN MINISTRIES.

>> WE STARTED IN 1994 WITH JUST A HANDFUL OF FAMILIES AND HAVE GROWN OVER THE LAST 20-PLUS YEARS INTO OVER 60,000 FAMILIES, OVER 200,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE SHARING NOW OVER $15 MILLION A MONTH IN MEDICAL BILLS.

LAST MONTH WE MIGHT HAVE HIT $17 MILLION.

>> I'M CALMING FROM -- >> Reporter: CHRISTIAN HEALTH-SHARING MINISTRIES ARE DIFFERENT FROM INSURANCE COMPANIES IN THAT THEY COLLECT MONTHLY DUES AND DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY TO SUBSCRIBERS WITH MEDICAL BILLS.

AT SAMARITAN, MEMBERS SEND THEIR PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO THE FAMILIES IN NEED.

>> THE PROCESS BEGINS WITH LETTING SAMARITAN KNOW THAT YOU NEED TO SUBMIT A NEED, AND SO THEY SEND YOU A FORM, AND YOU FILL IT OUT, SEND IT IN.

THEY REVIEW IT.

THEY DECIDE THIS IS THE AMOUNT THAT WE CAN PUBLISH, AS FAR AS WHAT WILL BE COVERED.

SO THIS IS WHERE YOUR AMOUNT NEEDS TO GO TO.

OUR NAME WILL BE ON THAT TICKET.

>> SO EVERY MONTH WE PUBLISH A NEWSLETTER IN WHICH EACH PERSON GETS A PERSONALIZED SLIP OF PAPER THAT WE CALL A SHARESLIP THAT INSTRUCTS THEM WITH WHICH PERSON THEY ARE SHARING WITH THIS MONTH.

SO FOR A FAMILY OF THREE OR MORE SHARES ARE $405.

I GOT ONE, I'M GOING TO MAKE UP NAMES, JOHN SMITH IN DENTON, TEXAS.

>> IT SEEMED STRANGE AT FIRST TO THINK OF MEMBERS SENDING A CHECK.

ARE THESE PEOPLE GOING TO BE RELIABLE?

>> Reporter: LANSBERRY SAYS FEWER THAN 5% RENEGE ON THEIR PAYMENTS, AND WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN, HE SAYS OTHER SUBSCRIBERS IMMEDIATELY FILL IN THE GAP.

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE HELPING OUT SOMEBODY THIS MONTH, THEY IN THE HOSPITAL WITH CHEST PAIN.

>> OKAY.

>> IF YOU TALK TO OUR MEMBERS, THIS IS THE FAVORITE BILL THEY GET TO PAY EVERY MONTH, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT WRITING A CHECK TO A BIG COMPANY.

>> Reporter: JOSH AND JENNY LEHMAN JOINED SAMARITAN IN 2011.

SHE IS A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER WHO NOW HOME-TEACHES THEIR THREE KIDS.

HE'S A LICENSED CLINICAL COUNSELOR WHO DEALS WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

SAMARITAN SEEMED LIKE A GOOD MATCH, JUST ON PRINCIPLE, JOSH SAYS, AS DO MOST SUBSCRIBERS, BUT THE PRICE WAS ALSO A FACTOR.

>> IT WAS ALSO SIGNIFICANTLY MORE COST-EFFECTIVE FOR US AS A FAMILY.

WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT HEALTH INSURANCE, IT WAS GOING TO BE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE FOR OUR FAMILY, AND SINCE THAT TIME HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS HAVE ONLY GONE UP.

>> Reporter: SAMARITAN'S COSTS HAVE GONE UP ABOUT 8% A YEAR, BUT THE NONPROFIT DOESN'T OFFER NEARLY AS MUCH COVERAGE AS TRADITIONAL INSURANCE.

KEVIN LUCIA IS AN INSURANCE RESEARCHER AT THE MCCOURT SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AT GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY.

>> YOU NEVER WANT TO WAKE UP IN THE MORNING WITH AN ILLNESS THAT'S GOING TO BASICALLY REQUIRE A MILLION DOLLARS IN SERVICES WITH A PLAN THAT ONLY COVERS $250,000.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS THERE ARE SIMPLY TOO MANY GAPS IN CHRISTIAN HEALTH COVERAGE.

>> WHEN YOU BUY AN INDIVIDUAL POLICY FROM AN INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY HAVE TO COVER HOSPITALIZATION.

THEY HAVE TO COVER DOCTOR VISITS.

THEY HAVE TO COVER MENTAL ILLNESS.

THEY HAVE TO COVER PRESCRIPTION DRUPGS.

DRUGS.

SOME OF THESE BENEFITS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS.

>> Reporter: WITH SAMARITAN, MEDICAL BILLS UNDER $300 ARE NOT COVERED, AND PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS ARE ONLY ALLOWED IF THEY'VE BEEN IN REMISSION FOR SPECIFIED PERIODS OF TIME WITH NO MEDICAL TREATMENT.

CANCER, FOR INSTANCE, WOULD HAVE TO BE IN COMPLETE REMISSION FOR FIVE YEARS.

SUBSCRIBERS ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO LIVE A CLEAN, HEALTHY LIFE, PHYSICALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY.

SAMARITAN REFERS TO IT AS A "BIBLICAL LIFESTYLE," AND THAT INCLUDES NO HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY, NO EXTRAMARITAL AFFAIRS.

>> YOU AGREE THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU WILL NOT BE SMOKING.

YOU WILL NOT BE DOING DRUGS.

YOU WILL ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY.

THOSE COMMITMENTS BUILD CONFIDENCE.

>> THE LOCAL CHURCH IS THE HUB OF SPIRITUAL ACCOUNTABILITY.

SO WHEN THE MEMBER SENDS IN THEIR ORIGINAL APPLICATION AND SEND IN THEIR CONTINUATION FORM EACH YEAR THEY CAN'T CONTINUE THEIR MEMBERSHIP, CAN'T JOIN UNTIL THE PASTOR SIGNS OFF.

THE OTHER THICK WE DON'T SHARE, ANY BILLS RELATED TO THE PROPORTIONAL CHILD.

THAT'S A BIG DEAL AND WHY A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS JOIN.

>> WHAT WERE YOU PAYING FROM BEFORE?

>> BETWEEN $5,000 AND $6,000 BETWEEN PREGNANCY AND BIRTH.

>> AND UNDER SAMARITAN?

>> DEPENDS ON MY MIDWIFE BUT THIS MIDWIFE IS $4,500.

>> SO YOU USE A MIDWIFE?

>> YES.

>> SHE COMES HERE?

>> YES.

>> TO YOUR HOUSE?

>> FOR THE LAST THREE.

>> Reporter: WHEN BILLS GO OVER SAMARITAN'S CAP OF $250,000, THE MINISTRY INFORMED SUBSCRIBERS THAT ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

IT'S CALLED A SPECIAL REQUEST AND APPARENTLY A LOT OF SUB SUBSCRIBERS END EXTRA MONEY.

>> THE LARGEST, ONGOING CANCER NEED PRODUCED A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT BILLS OVER $3 MILLION RIGHT NOW.

>> I TEND TO GET VERY NERVOUS ABOUT FINANCES BUT GOD IS TELLING ME, DON'T WORRY ABOUT THIS RIGHT NOW.

IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT.

IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT.

JUST FOCUS ON YOUR BABY.

>> Reporter: WHEN JENNY WAS GIVING BIRTH TO HER YOUNGEST DAUGHTER THERE WERE COMPLICATIONS.

HOPE WAS BORN WITH A RESPIRATORY INFECTION THAT KEPT HER IN THE HOSPITAL SEVERAL DAYS.

>> SO YOU RECEIVED FROM PEOPLE AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> AND ABOUT $11,000 MORE FOR THE MATERNITY NEED.

PEOPLE PRAYING.

PRAYING FOR LITTLE HOPE AS SHE GROWS, INCREDIBLE.

>> THE CARDS AND CHECKS SEEM TO HAVE A SPECIAL VALUE TO RECIPIENTS LIKE THIS FAMILY.

>> FROM IND.

IT SAYS, PRAISE GOD THAT YOUR DAUGHTER HOPE IS NOW HEALTHY.

>> THE PERSON WROTE, WE PRAISE GOD FOR THE BEAUTIFUL GIFT HE HAS BLESSED YOU WITH.

OUR WORLD IS BRIGHTER AND MORE WONDERFUL WITH HOPE.

>> Reporter: KEVIN LUCIA, THE INSURER NOT A FAN OF CHRISTIAN HEALTH INSURANCE BECAUSE HE THIS THE COVERAGE IS RISKY.

>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF STATES OUT THERE WHERE THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE HAD HEARD OF CONCERNS AND TRIED TO REGULATE THESE TYPE OF ARRANGEMENTS, IN THE PAST.

>> Reporter: SO-CALLED SAFE HARBOR SFACHTTATUTES ARE IN PLACE IN 30 STATES ALLOWING THESE MINISTERS TO OPERATE WITH NO REGULATORY OVERSIGHT.

SUBSCRIBERS CANNOT SUE SAMARITAN BUT THE MINISTRY HAS AN IN-HOUSE APPEALS PROCESS.

>> AS LONG AS WE CAN KEEP THE MEMBERS HAPPY WE EXPECT TO GROW.

>> AT THE END OF DASHGTS LIKE MY WIFE SAID, I'M NOT DEPENDING ON AN INSURANCE OR SAMARITAN.

I'M DEPENDING ON GOD.

>> Reporter: AND THAT MAY EXPLAIN THE GROWTH OF CHRISTIAN HEALTH-SHARING MINISTRIES.

FOR RELIGION FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M LUCKY SEVERSON IN PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

>>> THE JESUIT VOLUNTEER CORPS IS CELEBRATING ITS 60th BIRTHDAY THIS YEAR.

ONE YOUNG COLLEGE THAT GIVE GRADUATES LIVING SIMPLY IN COMMUNITY.

AND DEBORAH PORTER REPORTS ON ONE SUCH COMMUNITY SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

>> Reporter: THIS GROUP OF FIVE YOUNG WOMEN ALL GRADUATES OF CATHOLIC KLEMPS HAD NEVER MET BEFORE COMMITTING TO SHARE A HOUSE FOR A YEAR AS MEMBERS OF THE JESUIT VOLUNTEER CORPS.

THE JBC PROGRAM HAS ONE OVERRIDING VIEW.

TO RUIN THEM FOR LIFE.

>> OH, MY GOSH.

WHEN JB: B.C., RUNE ARE FOR LIFE?

WHAT A CHALLENGE.

SO NOT AWARE OF MY PRIVILEGE AND THE BUBBLE THAT I LIVE IN, UNTIL IT WAS LITERALLY NOT JUST POPPED BUT, LIKE, SHOOK, AND LIKE MY EYES ARE OPENED AND ESEE NOW WHAT THE REALITY OF THIS WORLD FOR SO MANY OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

>> Reporter: JILLIAN SPENT HER YEAR WORKING AT FOOD PANTRY RUN BY A CATHOLIC CHARITY.

>> MIGHT BE WHOLE GRAIN ROLLS.

>> I SEE THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

WE'RE TOLD WE ALL HAVE CHRIST INSIDE US BUT I NEVER ACTUALLY SAW IT UNTIL I CAME HERE.

>> Reporter: A STRONG CATHOLIC FAITH IS A BEDROCK.

ONE OF THE KEY VALUES OF THE JESUIT VOLUNTEER CORPS BASED ON TEACHINGS OF SAINT IGNATIUS, BUT IT'S DIFFERENT FOR EVERYONE.

>> I WAS VERY ANTI-RELIGION.

YOU KNOW, I REALLY -- I GUESS I WOULD HAVE IDENTIFIED AS SPIRITUAL BUT NOT RELIGIOUS.

I DEFINITELY BELIEVED THERE WAS HIGHER BEING BUT WASN'T NECESSARILY CALLING THAT GOD.

>> Reporter: KAT WAS RAISED CATHOLIC BUT TURNED AWAY FROM THE CHURCH BEFORE JOINING JBC WORKING WITH MEMBERS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

LIVING WITH JILLIAN EP HELPED BRING HER BACK.

>> SOMETHING CLICKED.

EVERY SUNDAY SINCE OCTOBER I'VE CONTINUE WALE GOT TO MASS AND CONNECT WITH RELIGION IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY IN A WAY I NEVER THOUGHT WOULD BE POSSIBLE BEFORE.

>> Reporter: FATHER RICK MALLOY HAS BEEN A SPIRITUAL ADVISERS TO JESUIT VOLUNTEERS 40 YEARS.

>> YOUNG PEOPLE TODAY COME WITH MANY QUESTIONS, MANY DIFFERENT STYLES AND FORMS OF BEING CHRISTIAN, OF BEING CATHOLIC, OF BEING SPIRITUAL.

SOME ARE EVEN BELIEVERS OR TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER THEY BELIEVE.

>> I KIND OF FOCUS IN COLLEGE UP TO NOW HAS BEEN REALLY A LOT OF, LIKE -- LIKE EASTERN PHILOSOPHIES AND BUDDHISM.

>> Reporter: PROVIDING MEALS AT FRIENDS OF THE POOR PROVIDING MEALS AND CLOTHING FOR THOSE IN NEED.

>> CALL ME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS SEE HIM AN 12 ON THE 25th.

THANKS.

>> IT IS DEFINITELY, LIKE, COUNTERCULTURAL IN WE'RE HABITUATED TO AFTER COLLEGE STARTING YOUR OWN IDENTITIES, ASSERTING INDEPENDENCE AND ACCRUING THINGS AND THIS IS THE OPPOSITE IN A LOT OF WAYS.

I'M NOT MAKING ANY PROGRESS -- I MEAN, TANGIBLE PROGRESS TOWARDS -- LIKE I THINK I'M BECOMING WHO I WANT TO BE.

>> Reporter: IN ADDITION TO SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE, TWO OTHER IG NATION VALUES UNDERGIRD THE JESUIT VOLUNTEER CORPS.

COMMUNITY AND SIMPLICITY.

HOUSING IS PROVIDED AND A SMALL BUDGET FOR FOOD WHICH OFTEN ENDS UP BEING RICE AND BEANS.

FOR LIZ CONNELLY, LIVING IN COMMUNITY HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE.

>> BEAUTIFULLY DIFFICULT.

LIKE, WONDERFULLY, JOYOUSLY, REALLY HARD.

LIKE, YOU GROW LIKE LOVE THOSE PEOPLE SO DEEPLY WHEN YOU EXPERIENCE THIS WE THEM, BUT COMMUNITY IS HARD.

I THINK FOR ME THE, BEING SO, HAVING YOUR LIFE SO DEPENDENT ON ANOTHER PERSON HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT, JUST AS LIKE I AM A VERY INDEPENDENT PECH.

I LIKE TO DO WHAT I WANT TO DO WHEN I LIKE TO DO IT.

ASKED TO BE VULNERABLE TO MAKE THAT WORK IS CHALLENGING.

>> Reporter: MOST OF THE 300 JBC VOLUNTEERS EACH YEAR ARE WOMEN SERVING IN 33 STATES IN THE STATES AND 6 COUNTRIES ABROAD.

THEY GET A SMALL ALLOWANCE TO SPEND AS THEY SEE FIT.

>> I FIRST FOUND OUT, $100 A WEEK.

THEN I REALIZED $100 A MONTH AND REALLY COULDN'T BELIEVE I SIGNED UP FOR JBC, BUT IT REALLY -- IT REALLY ISN'T THAT BAD.

YOU KNOW, YOU REALLY JUST FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU NEED AND WHAT YOU WANT.

>> TRUSTING GOD AND TRUSTING THE PATH HAS BEEN HARD AT POINTS AND I HAVE A LOT OF DOUBTS I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION.

>> Reporter: MEGAN NEWMAN HAS A NURSING DEGREE BIT CLOSE TO VOLUNTEER WITH DISABLED ADULTS BEFORE TAKING A FULL-TIME JOB.

>> WAKING UP FROM MY NAP.

>> SEEING A LOT OF WAYS OUR WORLD IS BROKEN AND CAN'T SEE PEOPLE AS THEM AS EQUALS AND DIVINE AS WE ARE.

>> Reporter: LIZ PLANS TO ATTEND MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR EXPERIENCE HELPING SENIORS NAVIGATE THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SHE BELIEVELESS MAKE HER A BETTER DOCTOR.

AS FOR HER SPIRITUAL LIFE, GREW UP LUTHERAN AND STRUGGLES WITH CATHOLIC DOING MA.

>> IN LOVE WITH THE IDEA OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND LIBERATION THEOLOGY.

OF SEEING GOD IN THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND, LIKE, THAT, I REALLY IDENTIFY WITH.

SO I THINK I'M WORKING THROUGH WHERE ALL OF THOSE PIECES FIT WITHIN ME AND WHERE THEY FIND A HOME.

>> THERE'S A LOT OF WONDER IN THIS YEAR, THERE'S A LOT OF THINKING, AND I HAVE SEEN THE FRUITS OF IT FIVE, TEN, FIFTEEN YEARS AFTER THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE.

RUINED FOR LIFE.

THEY LIVE THEIR LIFE IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

>> BLESS US, O LORD, FROM THY BUOYANT BUOYANT BOUNTY.

>> Reporter: HAVE THEY BEEN RUINED FOR LIFE?

MOST SAY YES, AND CREDIT NOT ONLY THEIR WORK BUT EACH OTHER.

>> COMING INTO JBC, RIGID.

GO MASS, PRAY THE ROSARY, DIVINE ROSARY.

VERY NARROW-MINDED.

WHERE GOD IS AND HOW TO PRAY ALL THAT STUFF.

THEY'VE SHOWN ME, LIKE, ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

LIKE HOW TO MEDITATE OR HOW TO SEE GOD IN NATURE OR SEE GOD IN ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> THIS YEAR I HAVE, LIKE, REALLY COME TO APPRECIATE, LIKE, JILL.

ONE OF MY ROOMMATES.

SO PIOUS AND LIKE I THINK WITHOUT KNOWING HER MAYBE IN THE PAST I WOULDN'T HAVE -- UNDERSTOOD THE BEAUTY OF THAT.

THE WAY DO NOW.

>> LET'S GO.

>> Reporter: AS THEIR FAITH DEEPENED THEIR GOALS CHANGED I.

THINK I'VE GROWN UP IN SO MANY WAYS AND I THINK -- I'VE CHANGED THE WAY I'LL BE A NURSE FOREVER.

>> Reporter: FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY," I'M DEBORAH POTTER IN SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

>>> YOU CAN FIND ON OUR WEBSITE THE NAMES AND LINKS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DOING SIMILAR WORK.

>>> ON OUR CALENDAR NEXT SUNDAY, MUD LIMS AROUND S MUSLIMS BEGIN THEIR RAMADAN FAST WITH THE VOOITSIGHTING OF THE NEW MOON.

CALLED UPON TO FAST EVERY DAY FROM DAWN TO SUNSET, AND OFFER SPECIAL PRAYERS AND GIFTS TO THE POOR.

>>> THAT'S OUR PROGRAM FOR NOW.

I'M BOB ABERNATHY.

YOU CAN FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND FACEBOOK AND WATCH US ANYTIME ON THE PBS APP FOR iPHONES AND iPADS.

THERE'S MUCH MORE ON OUR WEBSITE.

JOIN US AT PBS.ORG/RELIGIONETHICS.

>>> AS WE LEAVE YOU SOLDIERS PLACING U.S. FLAGS AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY AS PART OF THE MEMORIAL DAY TRADITION.

>>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR "RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY" IS PROVIDED BY -- >> ADDITIONAL FUNDING ALSO PROVIDED BY --