Reclaiming the Vitality of the Early Church

My message and my preaching were not with wise and
persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power,
so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.
( I Corinthians 2:4-5 )

The Early Church was VITAL. It was filled with excitement and wonder. The Apostles proclaimed a powerful gospel message that was demonstrated with acts of healing and transformation. This conference looks at how we can “reclaim” a similar excitement today. We will focus primarily on the grace of God for healing as expressed on our sacrament of Holy Unction. The teachings will be followed by practicum’s where participants can learn first hand.

Session 1: The Role of the Holy Spirit. Baptismal and Confirmation rites clearly invoke the active presence and power of the Holy Spirit. We’ve been discovering how to collaborate with Him so that these rites propel us into actual effective ministries that strengthen our lives and our congregations.

Session 2: A Model of Healing. Often we have seen healing ministries that repel instead of encourage us. But we have discovered a model that is calm, has integrity, is easily learnable, and which the Lord backs up to produce healing. Jesus did not simple utter words; He demonstrated the realities of His words by then doing works of power. Seventy-seven percent of His works were healings.

Session 3: Inner Healing of Emotional Wounds. All of us have been affected by negative experiences in life. This session will teach how we can pray in a manner that frees the Lord to heal those wounds.

Session 4: The Word of Knowledge. God knows what is needed in each situation. One of the ways He conveys this knowledge is through what are called words of knowledge. This talk will open up this very useful skill.

Testimonies

Father Hansen..........I was one of four from Memphis who attended 'More Than Words' at Our Lady of The Snows in the spring. We came innocently not realizing it was an ongoing effort in the Springfield diocese and saw the Lord do the most precious things. One of those things was to do a deep, deep work within me releasing me from a fear I had carried most of my lifetime. There was a particular personality that intimidated me and my spirit would cower in it's presence. This was no small thing and stemmed from my mother. I am now established with a new inner strength that is unbelievable to me.

We were scheduled to attend 'Crying Out To God' but for several important reasons had to cancel. I am terribly disappointed, but the door would not remain open. The reason I am writing is to give to you the testimony I would have given to you all there and to thank you from the bottom of my heart for you devotion to God's people. My spirit and person hood is very different.

I pray the Lord will do mighty things in the hearts of those who attend just as He did for me. May He hold you all in the palm of His hand.

Most Sincerely, Rita Barnett