MIRACLE AND HEALING NIGHT RECAP

God Shows Up as Always

They came from all over the tri-state area. People lined up to share personal testimonies on God’s working of miracles in their lives. Over 120 people attended New Hope Church’s Miracle and Healing Night on March 2 to sing praise songs, listen to Pastor Kumar Dixit preach the message “God Knows Your Name,” and pray in groups according to needs. “Pastor Newman was handing out hugs like hot cakes,” noted one enthusiastic member.

During testimonies, one woman shared how God answered her prayer for financial help in a way that led her to a new job for more income so her kids could both attend Christian schools. Liz Moore gave God full credit for major changes in her life over the past year that have resulted in physical, emotional and spiritual healing. “Now I am not dying physically or spiritually anymore.” And Becky Timon started the Ask Me Desk in November in answer to prayer as part of the First Impact Ministry at New Hope. Since then it has grown to more than 17 volunteers. She held a recent training luncheon for this ministry and welcomes more volunteers to participate in this special activity.

Other testimonies of miracles had to do with family relationships. Ginge and Eric Straw brought son Jacob before the congregation. He is clearly a beautiful answer to their prayers over a year ago for a child. Similarly, Lydia and Timothy Atagebe have a new baby girl as an answer to their prayers. Another woman noted healing for her daughter 30 weeks into a high-risk pregnancy – since then the baby was born and is doing well, as is the mother. “When we pray, we still may go through tough times, but God is with you right through the trials,” she stated.

Also, one attendee testified that she came last year to Miracle and Healing Night for healing in her relationship with her father after her parents divorced 30 years ago. Since those prayers, communication between them has improved, she was invited to spend time with her father and his family, and she has met her siblings. “God answers our prayers in His own time,” she explained. Someone else talked about what New Hope Church has meant to her in terms of challenging her preconceptions about the denomination. Her mother received healing after surgery recently. A young man emphasized the acceptance he and his friends feel at New Hope after facing rejection elsewhere. His father and uncle are struggling with prostrate cancer and need prayer, although God is already at work in healing and extending their lives.

Pastor Dixit encouraged people to pray for themselves and others if suffering from physical illness, depression, marital and emotional problems, financial difficulties, guidance on a spiritual journey, reaching a crossroads, or anything else preventing one from living a fulfilling life. “When we pray, the Lord sends legions of angels and friends to come into your life to encourage and support you,” he warned. “When we pray for other people we better be prepared. Then we are not just fighting our own spiritual warfare, but we are fighting on behalf of others.” He noted we need to “gird ourselves” in the armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10-20).

Miracle and Healing Night began two years ago under the prayer ministry at New Hope. Renee Rucker, leader of the prayer team, and Seema Rodriguez head up one of the most active ministries of the church. “Yet again, God showed up – as He always does,” enthused Seema Rodriguez.

“It is these kinds of experiences that make us love one another as we open up about our lives and are vulnerable with one another and with God,” asserted member Anne Woodworth. “It was a cleansing experience,” Renee Rucker affirmed.