10 Years with CHM: Relationships, Education and Growth

by Norma Dearing
Winter 1997

As I reflect over the last 10 years at Christian Healing Ministries, I remember the day we opened the office in a small room on the third floor of St. John's Episcopal Cathedral. Little did I contemplate then that I would serve as a part of this ministry for the next 10 years. The last decade has been one of meaningful relationships, education and growth.

Our relationships have involved people both nationally and internationally and of every denomination. Our national board, comprised of leaders in the healing ministry, offer constant prayer and direction for the future of our ministry. Our national and local intercessors, under the leadership of Joy Lamb, continue to intercede on our behalf, giving us much needed strength. Our local board donates tremendous time, treasure and talent to help us proclaim the Gospel that "Jesus came to heal His people."

Dr. Tom Wikstrom, a Christian psychiatrist, followed God's direction and moved his practice to Jacksonville to help integrate mental health with spiritual healing. He has given untold hours of expertise, therapy and direction to our center.

Our volunteer prayer ministers have spent thousands of hours "listening, loving and praying," both through daily appointments and the Tuesday evening healing service. These anointed and appointed volunteers are the backbone of CHM.

Our staff has changed over the years, each person playing an integral part in the success of the ministry. Our · heavenly Father sent so many gifted people, each one a special individual called to serve for a time and season. As I think of each of these dear friends, I consider it a privilege to have served alongside them.

But the most important relationship during these last 10 years has been with our Lord. The integration of love and service has created a deeper relationship not only with each other, but with Jesus.

Education of ourselves as ministers has been another important aspect of CHM. In addition to praying for physical healing, inner healing and deliverance, we have learned how to pray more specifically for cancer, infertility, arthritis and other illnesses. The importance of prayer in utero has been brought to our attention repeatedly. The Lord has revealed to us the importance of breaking generational bondage. Spiritual warfare has been a necessary tool to develop as we have ministered to so many who are demonically oppressed. One of the most important things the Lord taught us is how to stay healthy in ministry: to physically, spiritually and mentally cut ourselves free and release people to Him. After teaching us these important ministry tools, the Lord then called us to teach.

Even though CHM had sponsored conferences on healing for many years, the emphasis had always been on receiving healing, rather than teaching participants how to pray for others. Over the years, it became obvious that people wanted to learn what the Lord has taught us. We began a series of "How To" seminars that eventually led to the development of our School of Healing Prayer Levels 1–111, which are now being taught all over the world.

The growth of CHM over the last 10 years has been truly phenomenal. We have grown in space by purchasing Holy Cross Episcopal Church. Our numbers of staff, volunteers and intercessors have grown consistently. We have grown in credibility as a Christian ministry of healing. And how exciting it has been to be part of proving scientifically something that we as Christians have always known — prayer works. To be on the cutting edge of this discovery for the medical community has been an honor and a privilege for CHM.

Not only has growth increased in the physical plant, programs and education, but we have grown most in our spiritual lives. We have learned to depend only upon God when the financial situations of the ministry have been bleak. We have learned that our faith must be in Jesus as we lay hands upon the sick. We have grown in love for the hurting, the disillusioned and the oppressed. And we have grown in patience, learning to wait on the Lord with trust that He will provide for our every need.

On a personal level, I would say that I have matured spiritually over the last 10 years. I have come to understand the importance of balance: spiritual, physical and emotional. I have begun to understand · what it means to be "in the world and not of the world." Most of all, I have grown in faith — faith in Jesus as healer, restorer and deliverer, and faith in the Holy Spirit as the power to make all things new. I know that without Him, I can do nothing.

My heart is full of gratitude to the MacNutts for their obedience, to my colleagues for their dedication, to our prayer ministers and intercessors for their commitment, and to our two boards for their direction. Most of all, I thank God that I have had the privilege of serving His people in this holy place for the last 10 years. To God be the glory for the things He has done!

Norma Dearing is the Director of Prayer Ministry at CHM.