Answered Prayers: Ohio Ministry Leader Survives Life-Threatening Ordeal
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It was a typical Sunday night on March 16 for Brian Solomon, age 49, as he headed to the gym for his regular workout. Exercise had long been part of his routine, and he planned to return home before dark. But seconds after finishing his workout, Brian developed a severe headache. His vision blurred, his body went numb, and he nearly collapsed. Thinking he was having a heart attack, he mustered just enough strength to call his wife.
Brian Solomon has served as Capitol Ministries’ Ohio Ministry Leader since 2019, faithfully leading weekly discipleship Bible studies alongside Pastor Brian Hanson for members of the Ohio Legislature. But now, this man of deep prayer and unwavering faith was in the midst of a life-threatening brain bleed—and in desperate need of the very prayers he so often lifted up for others.
His wife, Naomi, along with close friends, rushed him to the emergency room. Pastor Hanson quickly alerted the Capitol Ministries global team, and an urgent call for prayer echoed around the world, prompting many to drop to their knees.
God answered swiftly. By the time doctors prepared for surgery, the bleeding had stopped—something Pastor Hanson viewed as a clear sign of divine intervention. But it was only the beginning of Brian’s long road to recovery.
Naomi and their four daughters held their breath and fervently prayed as doctors fought for Brian’s life.
“Brian and I have been the closest of friends as we’ve served together with Capitol Ministries, traveled both locally and internationally, and were bound by deep ties of long-term friendship. Seeing my best friend unresponsive, his body convulsing, was a dreadful and heartbreaking sight. I couldn’t help but wonder if Brian would ever recover—or if I was losing not just a ministry partner, but a dear friend,” admitted Pastor Hanson.
News of Brian’s near-death experience quickly spread. The group of legislators he served at the Ohio Statehouse visited him, prayed over him, and read verses of encouragement from Psalm 77. Brian later shared that this chapter became his favorite, as he found himself subconsciously quoting it during his hospital stay.
Prayers continued to pour in from across the country as churches and prayer groups pleaded with God for a miracle. After 18 days in the hospital, Brian was finally discharged and greeted at home by a joyful crowd of family and friends.
“The sobering statistic is that nearly 60% of people who suffer a subarachnoid brain hemorrhage don’t even make it to the hospital. Of those who do, about 70% are left with significant physical or cognitive deficits. Praise the Lord that, at this point, I have none of these deficits. I can walk, think, read—everything,” Brian said.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Brian shared how the spiritual battle was just as intense as the physical one.
“At the beginning, I wrestled with God: ‘Why is this happening? I’m serving You. I’m healthy. I love my wife and family. I’ve sacrificed my profession for Gospel ministry. Why?’ But almost immediately, Romans 11:35 came to mind: ‘Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?’ [NIV] And the answer is—nobody. Nobody has given anything to the Lord where the Lord is obligated to repay them. The Lord was very kind to me to see who I am, and that passage brought so much correction and encouragement to my heart.”
Brian concluded with deep gratitude:
“I am beyond grateful to my family, the exceptional medical personnel, my friends, and the prayer warriors who stood by me and my wife. Your love, cards, visits, and generous love offerings mean more than you can imagine. I am especially thankful to the Capitol Ministries family for the way they rallied around us during this incredibly difficult time.”
CapMin ministry leaders are self-supporting missionaries.
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