Gò0dNews Ministry Spotlight
Pastor Scott Parrish
“I
by David Thompson
press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). What would you do if your calling were taken
from you? For over 25 years, Pastor Scott Parrish of Emmaus Church
God indeed provided financially for Scott and Tammy through local community members and churches, and they were able to purchase insurance that allowed Scott’s name to be put on the transplant list. “I cannot say enough good things about [the church body]. They have stepped up in
has diligently followed his calling from the Lord, a call to
overwhelming ways. Many churches and community members,
minister and lead others to Christ. Then, five years ago, he and
people we don’t even know: so many churches have come and
his wife Tammy found out that he had non-alcoholic cirrhosis
made such a difference,” Tammy said. “We cry on a daily basis
of the liver, a condition where healthy, living tissue is replaced
because of the goodness of God and the kindness of His people.
with scar tissue, permanently damaging the liver and leading to
Little children will say, ‘This is my tooth fairy money,’ or, ‘This
other serious health problems.
is my ice cream money.’ It is sacrificial giving. It’s not out of
Scott and Tammy tried to get his name on a transplant list for four years, but he wasn’t yet sick enough to be
abundance. They have stepped in and done whatever needs to be done.”
referred. During that time, Pastor Scott was able to do almost everything he used to before his diagnosis, and the doctors used medications to help get the disease under control. But last March, his health took a sharp downward turn as his condition rapidly worsened. Cirrhosis of the liver leads to a buildup of fluid in the body, and a buildup of toxins, as the liver struggles to function. Those toxins leak into the abdomen and legs, resulting in fatigue, swelling, and weight loss. Some days, Scott can’t even get out of bed because he doesn’t have the energy. The only positive to this development was that Scott was now sick enough to be referred for the transplant list. But both Scott and Tammy were unprepared for what happened next: his referral was turned down. The transplant center did not accept the Parrishes’ selfpayment insurance network as valid, which was one of the
Tammy and Scott are asking for prayer—first, that God
many criteria to be on the transplant list. That meant they had
gives Scott a new liver, and second, for the family of the donor.
to come up with enough money to either purchase the right
They’re also beyond thankful for the countless prayers already
kind of insurance or to cover the entire cost of a liver. “The
offered up: “Prayer is a lot of hard work, especially for a prayer
initial reaction in the first minute, I cried,” said Tammy. “And
warrior, and for someone to pray for someone they don’t even
then I realized our life is in God’s hands, and He can make a
know is very humbling.”
way when there seems to be no way. “We have two daughters. They’re grown, both married, and
This is a developing story, and new information may be available in the coming days or weeks. If you would like to stay
they live out of state. When they were growing up, we never
up to date with Scott’s journey or donate in support of his fight,
said, ‘We don’t have the money.’ We always said, ‘We’ll pray
visit www.conasaugabaptist.org. You can also send them uplifting
about it and ask the Lord, and if it’s His will, He’ll provide.’
messages and encouragement by emailing tp7447@gmail.com.
That’s what they said when they found out about the money.
“Scott’s desire is to be a full-time pastor again. He looks toward
It reminded us about things we had taught them growing up,
what will be to encourage him and keep him going, and our
about how God provides and about His blessings.”
heart is that God get all the glory.”
42 // February 2021
