The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

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August 11, 2008

Speaker promotes healing

Rock Church hopes event will change lives

BY MARY WICOFF

DANVILLE — Even if you’re not a regular church-goer, people who attend a healing service this week can expect to be changed by it, organizers say.

“It’s for everybody needing God’s touch in life,” said Bruce McQuigg, one of the assistant pastors at the Rock Church.

Sandra Kennedy, who’s known across the world for her healing ministries, will conduct the Healing Explosion/Miracle Service at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Rock Church.

Kennedy of Augusta, Ga., will show people how to release their faith to enable them to experience the healing power of God in their lives. She will talk about divine healing, based on the Bible.

At the end of the program, people who need healing may come forward, said Bonnie Downing, co-pastor at the church.

Some people are healed on the spot, while others see benefits over time.

As for the skeptics, Downing said, “If people don’t believe, they need to look and see what God’s word says about healing.”

In Georgia, Kennedy’s ministry — she’s founder of Whole Life Ministries — has several programs, including one in which trained people go to the hospitals to pray for those are seriously ill. At first, Kennedy’s people went to a couple of hospitals, but now all of the hospitals in the area, about eight, ask for their help.

“She’s very well-respected,” Downing said, “to have the hospitals call and request a group.”

Downing has never heard Kennedy in person, but has seen her videos. This is her first visit to Danville.

McQuigg said he has heard Kennedy speak three times at World Ministry Fellowship programs in Plano, Texas.

“I was very impressed with what she’s accomplished,” he said. “Hospitals call her to pray for terminal cases and have fantastic results. Her ministry has grown phenomenally.”

What he likes is that Kennedy is the “whole package,” who has a well-rounded approach to the gospel. “She’s a very mature lady (in her faith). She’s just solid,” he said.

She believes there aren’t always quick fixes to a person’s health problems, he said, “but that’s what God wants.” Sometimes the healing happens slowly.

McQuigg said, “I think within our church, it will go over phenomenally. We hope people will come.”

She does not actually heal the people herself, but the goal is to teach those who are sick what God says about healing so their hope may return, their faith increase, and their bodies be healed.

In 1987, Kennedy founded Whole Life Ministries, an interdenominational, multi-cultural church dedicated to changing lives through the power of the word. At the same time, she founded Whole Life Christian Bookstore.

She has written several books, including “The Spirit of Elijah Is in the Land,” “Nuggets of Truth,” “Robe of Righteousness,” “Hope for the Heart,” and more. She also has a weekly teaching program on TV.

COMING UP

Sandra Kennedy, founder of Whole Life Ministries, will have a Healing Explosion/Miracle Service at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday at the Rock Church, 20 Poland Road. There is no charge.

For more information, call the church at 443-6219 or visit the Web sites, http://www.wholelife.org or http://www.sandrakennedy.org

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