NC Church Erases $2.2M in Medical Debt Across Party Lines

In Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Trump supporters and progressive Democrats sit in the same church pews every Sunday. At Trinity Moravian Church, those political differences vanish when it comes to something everyone understands: the terror of medical bills you can't afford to pay.

Catherine Coe works in hospital accounting, so she's seen the devastation firsthand. "There isn't a political divide when it comes to medical debt," says Coe, a self-identified conservative. "It all brings us together."

Across the aisle sits Terri Mabe, who agrees completely despite their opposing political views. From her years in construction, Mabe watched coworkers cycle between projects without health insurance. "Next thing you know, you owe $5,000, $10,000 that you cannot pay," she explains.

This "purple congregation" of just a couple hundred people has found a remarkably effective way to help. Through their Debt Jubilee Project, they've discovered that $1 in donations can erase $100 in medical debt.

The secret lies with Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that purchases medical debt in huge bundles for pennies on the dollar. Trinity Moravian collects modest donations (most under $50) and partners with the organization to forgive debt held by Forsyth County residents.

Their first campaign in 2022 raised $5,000 and erased $500,000 in debt. By their eighth campaign, they'd raised $17,000 and retired $2.2 million in crushing medical bills.

Pastor John Jackman calls it "the easiest money I've ever raised." People whose debts are forgiven never apply or ask for help. They simply receive a letter one day telling them their debt has disappeared.

Why This Inspires

Medical debt affects 100 million Americans regardless of who they voted for or what they believe. Trinity Moravian proves that shared suffering can create shared purpose stronger than any political divide.

The church members know they're not solving the root problem. "We hope the medical system gets fixed someday but that's beyond our pay grade," Jackman admits. But they're fixing what they can, where they can, one fundraiser at a time.

Their ninth campaign launched on July 15, 2026, ready to turn small acts of generosity into life-changing relief for people who will never know the names of their benefactors.