Raised from the Dead

Covered Law Enforcement founder Jonathan Parker and his wife Meredith experienced the birth of their first daughter, Olivia Grace, on June 24, 2008.  Eight days later, on Wednesday July 2^nd, they were enjoying their time together and adjusting to life as new parents.  As the night progressed, they were awakened around 11:30pm to the sounds of newborn cries.  They both went to check on baby Olivia…and then life changed forever.

Meredith told Jonathan that her heart was racing, so he told her to go back to the bedroom and sit down.  He followed closely behind her, and within moments Meredith collapsed back on the bed suffering from a massive heart attack.  Jonathan immediately dialed 911, and since Meredith was no longer breathing and had no pulse, he began CPR.

For nearly eight minutes Jonathan cried out for a miracle from God as he worked on Meredith.  The paramedics arrived and also worked to revive Meredith.  She was “shocked” by the defibrillator a total of nine times, four times before she regained a heart rhythm.  She was transported to the hospital, and then airlifted to the regional trauma center.

A cardiologist determined that Meredith developed a tear in the left anterior descending artery, which then clotted and created a major blockage.  A stent was used to reestablish blood flow, Meredith remained on life support, and Jonathan was left to wait.  Doctors said that Meredith was not expected to live through the ordeal, but stated with certainty that she would have some extent of brain damage after being clinically dead for at least 15 minutes.

Thankfully, God had a different plan and the miracles had already begun.  While the paramedics were working, Jonathan felt he needed to anoint Meredith with oil and then lay his Bible across her feet and pray.  After the fourth shock with no response, Jonathan placed his Bible on her feet and prayed for a miracle.  With the fifth shock, Meredith’s heart immediately responded, and paramedics later testified that was the turning point in the situation.

Early Thursday morning Jonathan felt directed by the Holy Spirit to Hosea 6:1-3:

Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he has torn, and he will heal us; he has smitten, and he will bind us up.  After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.  Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

He accepted those verses as a confirmation that by the third day God would raise Meredith to new life, and on Saturday morning, Jonathan walked in to see Meredith sitting on the bed, smiling, and greet him with, “Hey babe!”  Even the doctors have declared that Meredith’s life and recovery is a miracle.

God has used what started as a great tragedy to reveal that He still raises the dead, heals the sick, and performs mighty miracles.  Jonathan and Meredith praise God for what He accomplished, and they continue to learn from this experience.  The story has been featured on numerous news programs and media outlets, as well as in churches across the world.  Many lives have been impacted, and it is their hope that God will continue to use them as ministers of His grace, mercy, and miracle-working power.

If you would like more information, or would like to request Jonathan or Meredith for a speaking engagement, please contact us at CoveredLawEnforcement@gmail.com.

Links related to the testimony (some may no longer be active):

• The 700 Club Testimony – 7 minute video featured 09/23/11 on the Christian Broadcasting Network’s (CBN) internationally viewed program, the 700 Club.
• Video Testimony – Given at North Cleveland Church of God September 2008 (15 min video requires approximate 5 min download time)
• “Miraculous Mission” – Clip from World Impact television program presented by Voice of Salvation Ministries
• Church of God Evangel – story in May 2009 issue
• Channel 3 News Chattanooga – story December 12, 2008
• Channel 9 News Chattanooga – story May 14, 2009 (Jonathan awarded by Chattanooga Police Dept)
• Channel 9 News Chattanooga – story June 16, 2009 (EMS and LifeForce awarded)
• Chattanooga Health Scope – article in March 2009 issue
• Chattanooga Chatter – feature in February 2010 issue
• Cleveland Daily Banner – article December 26, 2008 (purchase archive $2.95)