Pastor Finds Strength in Faith and Community While Navigating Recovery Following a Sudden Stroke

Life can change in an instant, and that is exactly what happened to a pastor from California a few weeks ago. Chris Meekins, pastor of Pacific City Church in Santa Monica, California, was in Texas for a business trip when the unexpected happened. He suffered a stroke. One that he never saw coming.

With a smile on his face, Chris Meekins starts off his video about what happened on his YouTube channel with a joke. “Hello, my name is Chris Meekins, and my favorite band is The Strokes,” he says with a laugh. About 10 days earlier, Chris was on a business trip in Texas when, while in his hotel room, he started experiencing tightness and pain in the back of his head. 

He Knew Something Was Wrong

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He knew right away that something wasn’t right. He wasn’t able to walk correctly, and his head started to feel numb. He decided to drink some water, but couldn’t swallow it. “Something was really wrong, and I was really scared,” he says. Anyone would be in his situation.

He called his wife Nicole and put his symptoms into ChatGPT. It told him that he could be having a stroke.

He then called 911, but when they got to him, they assumed he had to be on drugs because he was too healthy to have had this happen to him. They did take him to the hospital, and a CT scan revealed that he was having a stroke.

His Quick Thinking Saved His Life From an Unexpected Stroke

His quick thinking and action saved his life. They were able to give him medicine within two hours that helped stop the stroke.

Chris was then transferred to a level one care facility, where he remained in the intensive care for a few days, then to a hospital floor for a few days. It was there that he became stable and learned what had happened to him. He had had a stroke.

According to his GoFundMe, “Chris experienced a left vertebral artery dissection that resulted in a left medullary stroke. Thanks to rapid medical care, he is now stable and has begun intensive inpatient rehabilitation. He is already showing meaningful signs of progress, but recovery from this type of stroke is measured in months, not weeks, and will require sustained therapy, support, and presence.” 

He Still Keeps His Sense of Humor

As far as his post-stroke symptoms go, one thing he mentions in the video is his voice: “I don’t normally sound like a clown,” he jokes. He also couldn’t see straight, had blurred vision, and had trouble walking, as well as trouble with other normal functions.

“The good thing the doctors said, and my wife has said, is that my brain is fully intact. That I’m fully sharp, I’m fully there. I’m ready, in fact, I’m a little anxious to get going,” he shares.

He goes on to say that the doctors have told him the big problem would be the mental game. “I’m trapped up here. There’s everything I want to do, but I can’t do it. And so I’m trying,” he says.

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The Recovery Will Be Long and Emotional

One can imagine that the recovery after such a serious medical incident would be a long, emotional one. From learning how to do things differently to being stuck by your new limitations.

Chris goes on to thank all those who have helped, from bringing gifts to praying to making playlists. He also thanks friends who came out to see him, including one who could only stay for an hour.

When someone goes through something like this, it is heartwarming to see their community set up to help. Having that support is so important. The body of Christ is so good at coming to others’ needs, and this time, the pastor’s needs. 

The Community is There For the Pastor and His Family

A GoFundMe has been set up for Chris and his family, as well as a CaringBridge to keep everyone updated on his healing journey. Also, to share ways his community can serve and help them, including his wife and his daughter.

“There’s going to be a need for a lot of prayer, a lot of friendship over the coming weeks. I want to hang out with you, I want to talk to you, hear from you. I want to be encouraged by you, and encourage you,” the pastor shares.

In another video from March 7th, Chris shares an update about his progress after being in the hospital for 16 or 17 days. He passed his swallow test, and the doctors have said he is improving. He is slowly getting better, but also still has a long way to go.

There Is So Much Out of Our Control

He does have a lesson in all of this. “Don’t let a stroke happen to you before you realize there is so much that’s outside of our control,” he says.

And what a perfect reminder to trust in God, always, no matter what situation you are going through. Chris goes on to share, “My hope is that God can teach me how to have a better perspective on these things.”

It is such a blessing to see Chris’s community serve and love him after his stroke, and to see his sense of humor shine through it all. Sometimes you just need a little laugh.

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In this world, we will have hardships. There will be illnesses, accidents, and things we never saw coming. But we have the love of Jesus to walk with us through them. And we praise God that we never have to go through it all alone.

"Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven." - James 5:14-15

WATCH: Pastor Shares As He Recovers From a Stroke!

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h/t: The Meekins Family

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/The Meekins Family

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.