By Carolyn Van Heusen
Fr. Rob Goodridge anoints John Clark during healing service at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church
Jack Sheffield said, “John Clark and his team in Titusville, Florida ran what may be the most organized Healing Mission ever. It was superbly handled and so Spirit Filled! St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church and First United Methodist Church merged to see the hand of God come down on their town! So many healings occurred, they are too numerous to count. “This OSL group is smokin’!” said Sheffield about the Space Coast Chapter’s Healing Conference and Mission, JESUS: The Center of Healing held in historic downtown Titusville, Florida.
John Clark, a member of the Space Coast Chapter of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician shared, “It is our hope that the Conference and healing mission will be the start of a new revival that brings Jesus’ love and healing power to all in need.
The October 16th, 17th & 18th Conference began with a Healing Service where “All were Welcome” at St. Gabriel’s with music by The Reverend Wally Schilling, retired rector of Hope Episcopal Church in Melbourne. “There’s a prominent stained glass window in the back of St. Gabriel’s featuring the Canaveral Light House, said Fr. Rob Goodridge, rector of St. Gabriel’s. “The light metaphor shines on us all and we are very excited to see God at work in our community and congregation.”
Communion at First United Methodist Church by Fr. Rob Goodridge, Pastor Fred Ball and Rev. Jack Sheffield
The Conference was discerned then planned through prayer that focused the OSL Space Coast Chapter on community outreach during the last 8 months. The prayer: “God of all creation, as we share the healing power and love of Jesus Christ, we pray that your Holy Spirit will descend upon your people as in a new Pentecost. Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in us the fire of your divine love and healing. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.”
Thousands of Prayer Cards were distributed to community churches as well as individuals both locally, throughout the United States and beyond. Intercessory Prayer Teams were formed and prayer chains activated in OSL as well as “The Church is One in North Brevard,” an ecumenical group of more than fifty pastors who pray weekly for revival in our community. “The power of healing prayer is enormous,” said Fr. Goodridge. “The opportunity to be conduits of the healing power and love of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of OSL. It’s healing of the body, mind and spirit, but what is greater is that people come to know Jesus, often in a new way. What you find is that people don’t need Him when things are going great. Then when things are broken, that’s when we cry out.”
Rev. Jack Sheffield and Anna Marie Sheffield presenting “Corporate Inner Healing”
The Rev. Dr. Jack Sheffield and his wife Anna Marie Sheffield began the Conference on Friday at First United Methodist’s hall with “Generational Healing” workshop. The group shared communion led by Rev. Jack, Fr. Rob and Pastor Fred Ball. Following lunch, The Rev. Robin Morical, Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church, Enterprise, FL, presented, “Introduction to a Healing Ministry in the Church.” The Rev. Donna Carey, Sr. Chaplain of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care and Bereavement Services Manager followed with her presentation, “A Sacred Journey Through Bereavement” which brought the afternoon’s program to a prayerful conclusion.
Rev. Robin Morical, Rector All Saints Episcopal Church, Enterprise, FL
We shared a “Glory Dinner” then went into First United Methodist’s Sanctuary for music by the praise band form The Episcopal Church of the Holy Child in Ormond Beach. The healing service led by the Rev. Fred Ball, Sr. pastor at First United Methodist Church. Healing teams were led by our ecumenical group of clergy including Bishop Charles Walker Ford, from Apostolic Ministries of America and Daniel Murray from Christian Healing Center in Ormond Beach. The phenomenon of being “slain by the Spirit” was experienced by dozens of attendees during a powerful healing and worship.
Rev. Donna Carey, Sr. Chaplain of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care
Saturday’s events began in St. Gabriel’s Parish Hall with Anna Marie Sheffield’s presentation, “The Father Ladder.” Following lunch, Jack and Anna Marie led the group through “Corporate Inner Healing.” The Holy Spirit moved people to share experiences, visions and hands were laid-on in spontaneous healing prayers. Our last speaker, The Rev. Dr. Jerald Smith, Director of Pastoral Care at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville, and an Assemblies of God pastor, told his wife on his mobile phone that he thought he was, “in the wrong place” because “Episcopalians don’t act like Pentecostals!” Jerald’s presentation, “A Continuum of Healing: Hospital, Home and Congregation” highlighted his successful community outreach program, “Partners in Healing,” that provides support to discharged patients within their congregations.
The Conference concluded at St. Gabriel’s Church with beautiful music by The Redeemer Presbyterian Church’s Worship Band, Holy Eucharist and healing prayers at several stations in the sanctuary. As Jack Sheffield noted, the weekend was “Spirit Filled!” Participants and OSL members alike continue to reflect on the amazing power of the Conference experience as we express our thanks to God, our Sponsors, Speakers, Musicians, community supporters and attendees.
Rev. Jack Sheffield with Bishop Charles Walker Ford, from Apostolic Ministries of America
Attendees’ survey results were extremely positive and provide the foundation for our OSL Chapter to look to the future to build our next conference. We have outgrown our facilities. What an exciting prospect that provides. When you ask, “Come Holy Spirit,” expect healing. God is alive and wants to have a personal relationship with you!
Rev. Jerald Smith, Director of Pastoral Care, Parrish Medical Center
“Through our efforts in organizing Jesus: The Center of Healing conference and mission, we envision opening a dedicated healing center in North Brevard,” said Fr. Goodridge. “With God, all things are possible.”