The Healing Ministry
In early 2004 John went on a study trip to Florida where he spent time in furthering his interest in the healing power of faith and prayer. Here he tells us something of his experience.
I left a snow covered Aberdeen on Thursday 27 February. From telephoning home later on in the week, I was told it was one of the worst snow storms we had had for many a time. On Saturday morning I met two other colleagues at Gatwick Airport where we boarded our flight to Detroit, changing onto a flight later that evening for Jacksonville, Florida.
Having left freezing temperatures in Aberdeen, I was awakened in Jacksonville to a mere 25 degrees centigrade (77 degrees fahrenheit!) It was going to be hard work in such heat.
On our first morning we were picked up by Taylor and Kathi who were to be our hosts. They took us to their church where we were so warmly welcomed by pastor and congregation. After the service we were taken to lunch at the De Ponte Family home situated on the banks of the Jackson river, where, if you had good eyesight, you could see alligators swimming up and down!
On Monday we started a week of intensive study, prayer, learning, healing and fellowship and made many new friends. Each person seemed more generous than the next. During our time we had many different learning opportunities for prayer and healing.
After the seminary, we had planned to stay for a further week to soak up the learning and relax. We had booked into the Jacksonville Holiday Inn but our hosts insisted on us having the keys to their condo in Atlantic Beach, Florida. The trip gave me some new insight into God?s healing ministry. I made some very good friends and it gave me a new impetus for my own ministry. One member said on my return - you look twenty years younger! I think she was referring to my outlook rather than my age!!
I have already set up a training programme about healing and had more than 50 people attend just a few weeks ago. (More about this below) More will be happening in the near future - of that I can assure you. I am sure that over the months and even years that lie ahead you will be hearing snippets about my trip. Thank you to all for allowing me to spend this time away from you.
The trip to Florida was just a step on the road John is following in relation to the Healing Ministry. Read on below.
As part of what I learned in Jacksonville, I met with 120 other ministers from Aberdeen and Kincardine and Deeside Presbytery. I was able to enthuse them with what I wanted to do and arrangements were made to launch a seminar on 1 May of this year (2004) at Banchory East Church.
Circulars were sent out and on the day more than 50 people turned up to hear from Revd George Fox and myself about healing. In the afternoon a Healing Service was held at Banchory Church and more than 80 people attended - many of them receiving healing in their lives.
On the Sunday we had a healing service again in St. Mark's and several people came forward for healing and laying on of hands. It has now become a part of our worship in St. Mark's and will continue as long as I am able to continue His work and in His name.
Thirty three people have signed up for further training which will be starting soon and will lead to several groups of people being able to go out in Jesus name and heal. If any of you reading this want to know more about the training that will be on offer, then please get in touch with me.
Contact John Watson.
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