TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Parishioner, Heal Thyself

ADVERTISEMENT

By SARAH ROTHWELL

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Tony Calderon believes in God's power to heal. It was Christ's love, not medicine, that relieved him of severe back pain, he told friends at Faith Life Church.

"I had four ruptured discs in my back, and the doctor said I needed surgery," Calderon said. "He started me on painkillers. I was taking three pills in the morning and three at night just to get by. I could hardly move. Then, I started coming to healing school. One night, when I left, I was crying. I got in the car, and I said then and there: 'No more, Jesus. I'm not taking the pills anymore. I am healed in the name of Jesus.'"

Days later, Calderon was pain-free. He credits the healing school at Faith Life Church with giving him a new perspective on sickness and disease. The school, founded in 2003 by pastors Ken and Gail Anderson, meets at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Meetings include lessons from the Bible, personal testimonies and prayer time.

"We do not deny sickness," Ken Anderson said. "We deny its right to stay in your body. The Word says he that believes in healing has healing."

The Andersons consider illness an attack by Satan. They do not deny the potential benefits of modern medicine, though several of their students have stopped medications. They simply believe God is one step above the doctors, a power capable of ultimately defeating all discomfort.

"We would never ask anyone to stop their medicine," Gail Anderson said. "That is a personal decision. We believe in working with the doctors. The doctors want you to be well, and God wants you to be well."

The Andersons have worked with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. They've taken the terminally ill to doctor's appointments and visited hospitals to sit by bedsides. According to their records, they've seen a gunshot victim flat-line, then recover. They've seen broken bones miraculously healed.

Ken Anderson's firsthand experience with healing inspired him and his wife to attend Rhema Bible Training Center in Oklahoma.

"In 1978, a doctor told me I had hepatitis C and that I was going to have to be off work for six weeks," he said. "Gail's sister Jane, who was in Bible school at the time, said to go to the Word and ask for healing. I spoke to the disease and commanded it to be gone in the name of Jesus. When I went for a blood test, the doctor said I was fine. It was gone. I went back to work after four days."

Several healing school students report similar occurrences. Evelyn Lovette prayed for help after an unusual lesion appeared on her face. Soon after, the lesion disappeared.

"The doctors couldn't believe it," she said.

Jane McDonnough, Gail's sister and senior pastor at the nondenominational church, considers healing a vital part of the Christian faith. She views it as a practical application of the word of God. Teaching people to live by faith is, she affirmed, why she became a pastor.

"Healing encompassed at least 80 percent of Jesus' ministry," she said. "The healing school has helped people get in touch with that and blessed so many lives."

In their lessons, the Andersons reference dozens of Scriptures related to healing. They use portions of the textbook "Bible Faith Study Course" by Kenneth Hagin. The book details Hagin's personal experiences with faith healing.

"It makes no difference to me what the symptoms are in my body," he writes. "I laugh at them because of what the Word says."

At an Aug. 21 meeting, the Andersons read from Chapter 9, which begins with the verse from Mark 11:23.

"For verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

The Andersons repeatedly stress to students that healing starts in the heart. They do not claim to have a unique ability to heal the sick. They believe everyone has the ability to seek healing through personal faith in Christ.
Gail Anderson illustrates this using a piece of paper. She holds it out to a student.

"This paper represents healing," she said. "God has extended it to you, but you have to take it. I can believe with you, but I can't believe for you."

The Andersons close healing school meetings with prayer. They lay hands on the sick and the weary. There is no request too big or too small.
Prayer time is emotional. At the Aug. 21 meeting, students wept tears of joy. They embraced one another and lifted their hands up to God. Those seeking help left smiling, in faith they would find peace as did Calderon.

"Thank you, Jesus," Calderon said, walking briskly out to his car.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Healing school
WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursdays

WHERE: Faith Life Church, 4902 E. Busch Blvd.

INFORMATION: Call (813) 910-7336 or visit www .flctampa.org.

Sarah Rothwell can be reached at (813) 865-4845 or srothwell@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT