January 15th, 2026
Morning of January 2nd
This morning, we want to share an update that brings hope and deep gratitude.
Little by little, we are seeing improvement.
Pastor Tony’s heart function has increased from 10% to 20%. While this is still very serious, it is meaningful progress.
Once again, we recognize the hand of God at work through prayer, time, and the faithful care of medical professionals. This journey is not finished, but today we pause to acknowledge progress.
Psalm 30:5 reminds us: Weeping may stay for the night, but JOY comes in the morning.
Church, your prayers matter. They are being felt. They are making a difference.
As we continue to stand in faith together, we want to share specific ways to pray today:
Prayer Requests
Peace for Pastor Tony and his family
Physical comfort so he can rest and get sleep
Continued healing and strength for his heart
Hemoglobin levels to rise
This remains a critical season, but it is not without hope. We are trusting God for each small step forward, believing that He is present in every moment.
Church, keep praying. Keep believing.
God is not finished yet.
Little by little, we are seeing improvement.
Pastor Tony’s heart function has increased from 10% to 20%. While this is still very serious, it is meaningful progress.
Once again, we recognize the hand of God at work through prayer, time, and the faithful care of medical professionals. This journey is not finished, but today we pause to acknowledge progress.
Psalm 30:5 reminds us: Weeping may stay for the night, but JOY comes in the morning.
Church, your prayers matter. They are being felt. They are making a difference.
As we continue to stand in faith together, we want to share specific ways to pray today:
Prayer Requests
Peace for Pastor Tony and his family
Physical comfort so he can rest and get sleep
Continued healing and strength for his heart
Hemoglobin levels to rise
This remains a critical season, but it is not without hope. We are trusting God for each small step forward, believing that He is present in every moment.
Church, keep praying. Keep believing.
God is not finished yet.
Morning of December 31st
A message from Pastor Tony's wife, Pastor Kim.
Family & Friends,
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and tears of joy as I write this heartfelt thank you. I'm deeply grateful to God for the miracle that's unfolding before our eyes - my husband's survival is nothing short of a divine intervention! Though our journey is not yet complete, the progress we've made is a testament to the power of prayer and love.
Tony's health indicators are trending in the right direction, and his kidneys are now functioning - a stunning turn of events that fills our hearts with joy. I had the privilege this morning to feed him breakfast. A simple yet profound moment that I'm cherishing.
YOUR PRAYERS MADE THE DIFFERENCE! I'm forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support from across the country. Your kindness and thoughtfulness mean the world to us, and we love you all so dearly.
I'm looking forward to reading every message, post, and comment to Tony - maybe that’s how we'll ring in the New Year tonight.
A special thank you to our Elevation Church family for your unwavering support.
Thank you so much to those who've provided meals, gifts, and support.
To those who drove from near and far to give us support….wow….just wow!
To our local pastors who've shown up and prayed, we're deeply grateful.
His heart is only functioning at 10% with major blockage that the Dr said they can do nothing about now or in the future.
But that’s ok because God can only do a miracle where a miracle is needed…..so bring it on!
Much Love and Appreciation ,
The Smith and Smerdel Family
Elevation Church of Indianapolis
I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and tears of joy as I write this heartfelt thank you. I'm deeply grateful to God for the miracle that's unfolding before our eyes - my husband's survival is nothing short of a divine intervention! Though our journey is not yet complete, the progress we've made is a testament to the power of prayer and love.
Tony's health indicators are trending in the right direction, and his kidneys are now functioning - a stunning turn of events that fills our hearts with joy. I had the privilege this morning to feed him breakfast. A simple yet profound moment that I'm cherishing.
YOUR PRAYERS MADE THE DIFFERENCE! I'm forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support from across the country. Your kindness and thoughtfulness mean the world to us, and we love you all so dearly.
I'm looking forward to reading every message, post, and comment to Tony - maybe that’s how we'll ring in the New Year tonight.
A special thank you to our Elevation Church family for your unwavering support.
Thank you so much to those who've provided meals, gifts, and support.
To those who drove from near and far to give us support….wow….just wow!
To our local pastors who've shown up and prayed, we're deeply grateful.
His heart is only functioning at 10% with major blockage that the Dr said they can do nothing about now or in the future.
But that’s ok because God can only do a miracle where a miracle is needed…..so bring it on!
Much Love and Appreciation ,
The Smith and Smerdel Family
Elevation Church of Indianapolis
Evening of December 30th
Tonight we write to you in hope. Like Romans 15:13 says - “May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hope right now does not mean: “Everything will be fine” or “The heart will suddenly recover”
Hope does mean:
• He is not crashing at this moment
• His kidneys are still fighting
• He is awake
• The team has tools left to use
In critical care, time is everything. He is on maximum life support without ECMO.
They are:
• Helping the heart pump (balloon pump)
• Measuring every pressure inside his body (Swan)
• Adjusting meds minute by minute
This is what doctors do when someone is critically ill but still has a chance worth fighting for!
If there were no chance, they would not be doing this. Right now, he has:
• A severely damaged heart
• A viral illness that pushed the heart past its limit
• Fluid buildup causing breathing issues
• Fragile blood pressure
• Kidneys that are hurt, but alive
This is still extremely serious — but it is not static. Things are moving, and some are moving in a better direction.
Church, keep praying. Keep believing.
God is not finished yet.
We ask that you not text or call him or his family during this time.
Below you will find connection points for each ministry so please direct all communication and correspondence to the following individuals.
DeQuaan Simmons
Connections Pastor
dequaan@elevationindy.com
(260)777-6801
Jonathan Keys
Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor
jonathankeys@elevationindy.com
(317)812-3611
Kaylee & Cody Stover
ekidz Leadership
office@elevationindy.com
Katie & Brandon Fields
Nursery Leadership
brandon@elevationindy.com
Chris & Donita Bowlin
Prayer Ministry Pastor
donita@elevationindy.com
Hope right now does not mean: “Everything will be fine” or “The heart will suddenly recover”
Hope does mean:
• He is not crashing at this moment
• His kidneys are still fighting
• He is awake
• The team has tools left to use
In critical care, time is everything. He is on maximum life support without ECMO.
They are:
• Helping the heart pump (balloon pump)
• Measuring every pressure inside his body (Swan)
• Adjusting meds minute by minute
This is what doctors do when someone is critically ill but still has a chance worth fighting for!
If there were no chance, they would not be doing this. Right now, he has:
• A severely damaged heart
• A viral illness that pushed the heart past its limit
• Fluid buildup causing breathing issues
• Fragile blood pressure
• Kidneys that are hurt, but alive
This is still extremely serious — but it is not static. Things are moving, and some are moving in a better direction.
Church, keep praying. Keep believing.
God is not finished yet.
We ask that you not text or call him or his family during this time.
Below you will find connection points for each ministry so please direct all communication and correspondence to the following individuals.
DeQuaan Simmons
Connections Pastor
dequaan@elevationindy.com
(260)777-6801
Jonathan Keys
Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor
jonathankeys@elevationindy.com
(317)812-3611
Kaylee & Cody Stover
ekidz Leadership
office@elevationindy.com
Katie & Brandon Fields
Nursery Leadership
brandon@elevationindy.com
Chris & Donita Bowlin
Prayer Ministry Pastor
donita@elevationindy.com
Morning of December 30th
This morning, we are deeply encouraged by the prayers of so many friends and family and we want you to know: they are working.
Pastor Tony is alive, awake, and alert. According to the doctors, his numbers have improved, and they are seeing real progress.
Over the past 24 hours, we have witnessed the hand of God carrying Pastor Tony through the most difficult moment of his life and through one of the most challenging seasons our church, Elevation, has ever faced.
Last night at 6:00 PM on December 29, Elevation gathered in our sanctuary to pray and worship. With unrelenting faith, we believed God for the miraculous for what man would call impossible.
As doctors filled Pastor Tony’s room yesterday, this is what we were told:
• “If we do a cath procedure, he won’t make it.”
• “His condition is too severe.”
• “There’s nothing we can do for his heart.”
But God said otherwise.
The cath procedure became necessary and Pastor Tony made it through successfully.
Even now, many medical professionals are acknowledging the hand of God at work. Conversations of miracles are being spoken. Nurses and doctors alike are expressing hope and positivity.
Church keep praying. Keep believing.
God is not finished yet.
We invite you to join us every hour, on the hour, as we continue to pray for Pastor Tony. - https://elevationindy.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3355421
#PastorTonyStrong
Pastor Tony is unable to fulfill pastoral duties and we ask that you do not text or call him or his family during this time.
Below you will find connection points for each ministry so please direct all communication and correspondence to the following individuals.
DeQuaan Simmons
Connections Pastor
dequaan@elevationindy.com
(260)777-6801
Jonathan Keys
Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor
jonathankeys@elevationindy.com
(317)812-3611
Kaylee & Cody Stover
ekidz Leadership
office@elevationindy.com
Katie & Brandon Fields
Nursery Leadership
brandon@elevationindy.com
Chris & Donita Bowlin
Prayer Ministry Pastor
donita@elevationindy.com
Pastor Tony is alive, awake, and alert. According to the doctors, his numbers have improved, and they are seeing real progress.
Over the past 24 hours, we have witnessed the hand of God carrying Pastor Tony through the most difficult moment of his life and through one of the most challenging seasons our church, Elevation, has ever faced.
Last night at 6:00 PM on December 29, Elevation gathered in our sanctuary to pray and worship. With unrelenting faith, we believed God for the miraculous for what man would call impossible.
As doctors filled Pastor Tony’s room yesterday, this is what we were told:
• “If we do a cath procedure, he won’t make it.”
• “His condition is too severe.”
• “There’s nothing we can do for his heart.”
But God said otherwise.
The cath procedure became necessary and Pastor Tony made it through successfully.
Even now, many medical professionals are acknowledging the hand of God at work. Conversations of miracles are being spoken. Nurses and doctors alike are expressing hope and positivity.
Church keep praying. Keep believing.
God is not finished yet.
We invite you to join us every hour, on the hour, as we continue to pray for Pastor Tony. - https://elevationindy.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3355421
#PastorTonyStrong
Pastor Tony is unable to fulfill pastoral duties and we ask that you do not text or call him or his family during this time.
Below you will find connection points for each ministry so please direct all communication and correspondence to the following individuals.
DeQuaan Simmons
Connections Pastor
dequaan@elevationindy.com
(260)777-6801
Jonathan Keys
Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor
jonathankeys@elevationindy.com
(317)812-3611
Kaylee & Cody Stover
ekidz Leadership
office@elevationindy.com
Katie & Brandon Fields
Nursery Leadership
brandon@elevationindy.com
Chris & Donita Bowlin
Prayer Ministry Pastor
donita@elevationindy.com