Declaring the Healing Power of Jesus

By Aaron Kauffman

This past year, my family began watching the crowdfunded television series, The Chosen, which depicts the life and ministry of Jesus. A recent episode recounts the story of Jesus healing a man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). It’s powerful to watch the man rise to his feet at Jesus’ command, test out his newly strengthened legs, and embrace the Great Physician.

Dramatic physical healing is not always our experience today, yet Scripture promises that the cross is God’s ultimate answer to the sickness of sin. “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering… and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isa. 53:4-5). Here are two recent stories of the healing only Jesus can bring.

Steve Campbell has spent nearly a decade in Montenegro, helping local leaders to share the good news of Jesus with their nominally Christian or secular neighbors. On Sunday, June 20, six new believers were baptized, including Milovan (not his real name). Baptism can come at a cost, including the loss of relationships and even financial security. As Steve reports, “God did a mighty work to transform Milovan’s relationship to our fellowship. In early summer of 2019, he left the church, fearing for his reputation. But in January of this year, he reached out to repair the relationship that had been broken, and we walked through steps of being reconciled.”

Alfonso Alvarado has also witnessed God’s healing through the ministry of Iglesia Menonita Monte Moriah in Lacey Spring, Virginia, where six new believers were also baptized on June 20. Raimundo (seated right) experienced a dramatic recovery from a coma two weeks prior to his baptism. The doctors didn’t think he’d make it through the day, but Pastor Alfonso declared, “Our Lord Jesus Christ is the one who has the last word! He is our healer!” Indeed, Raimundo did recover and chose to be baptized out of gratitude for God’s love shown to him.

Thank you for your generosity which makes these stories possible. We set a Mission Fund goal of raising $100,000 for the fiscal year ending in August, and we met the goal! Praise be to God.