A Stoke-on-Trent church that last September took its’ healing ministry out onto the streets of Sneyd Green have been so encouraged by the response that they have extended the initiative to include Hanley city centre.
Revd Gareth Davies, vicar of St Andrew’s Church, has been involved in the healing ministry for nearly 20 years, but 12 months ago he and other church members felt led to go into the parish on Saturday mornings and offer to pray with people.
‘Teams go out in pairs, handing out invitation cards explaining who they are and offering to pray with people about any needs they may have,’ explained Gareth.
‘During the first nine months we have prayed with over 200 people and have had many very positive conversations. We have seen folk touched by God’s love, healed of reported pain and improvements in their situations.
‘This has built very positive bridges into our community, and whilst this is not in any sense ‘full on’ evangelism, we have seen people join our Alpha courses and become Christians.’
In April Gareth felt the time was right to make the ministry more available, and after approaching Cross Rhythms radio in Hanley and other local churches, teams are now also on the streets of Hanley city centre on Thursday lunchtimes.
One team member, Ruth Moreton, who prays with people in Sneyd Green has herself been healed by God.
‘After a failed operation for a torn eardrum as a child, I was left with a substantial loss of hearing in my right ear,’ explained Ruth. ‘While attending a healing course at church I went up for prayer. Nothing dramatic happened, but as people were praying for me I became aware that I could hear the prayers of the people praying in the group next to us.
‘The following morning I had a phone call asking how my hearing was, and when I swapped the telephone over to my right ear I found that I could hear just as clearly with the right ear as I could the left.
‘It would never have occurred to me to ask for prayer for my hearing, but God in His infinite loving kindness healed me.’
Gareth Davies is currently the Bishop of Lichfield’s adviser on the healing ministry, and is available to visit churches and lead training days. For more information contact: gareth.davies@stasg.co.uk or telephone 01782 215139.