“I want to cry out: Be open and docile to the gifts of the Holy Spirit! Accept with gratitude and obedience the charisms which the Spirit never ceases to bestow.” (Penetecost1998, St. Pope John Paul II)
I experienced the Holy Spirit mightily at the Charism School with Damian Stayne in 2014. The Charism School “mobilizes the people of God in the power of the Charismatic gifts for the building up of the Church and Her mission to the world.” I received Words of Knowledge that have brought much fruit in my relationships and ministries. I witnessed miracles of physical and inner healing that increased my faith. The weekend revived me and gave me tools and confidence to more freely use the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
“To each individual the manifestation of the Spirit is given for some benefit.” (1 Cor 12:7). God wants to use each of us for the building of His Kingdom. To this mission, Damian Stayne led the room in simple, practical exercises speaking Words of Knowledge in ordinary relationships. The stranger who prayed with me during this workshop stepped out in faith, “The Lord wants to share about your relationship with your sister…Do you even have a sister?” What a beautiful moment of courage and faith demonstrated by this young women! She went on to deliver a word from the Lord that opened up a new way of life with my sister.
Along with countless others, I experienced physical healing at the Miracle Healing Service. As my husband (Joe) prayed over me for restoration from “musician’s hearing loss,” he laid hands directly over my ears. After several minutes of directed prayer by Damian Stayne, I felt
something like scales falling off. Joe prayed aloud, ‘Ephphatha’ – be opened. Suddenly, sounds in the room became piercing. Praise God, I heard clearly again! Other miracles that night included the return of a blind woman’s sight and another who walked out of her wheelchair!
In this post-Christian era, I believe the world needs to witness miracles as in early church times. As the Church is forgotten or rejected, I sense the urgency for a renewed, powerful approach to reach those who need the Lord. Jesus promised miracles, manifestations of the Spirit, and protection, “These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons, they will speak new languages. They will pick up serpents [with their hands], and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not harm them. They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16: 17-18) God can demonstrate His profound love by working signs and wonders in the midst of us and through us.
Jesus told his followers the best was yet to come, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do — and will do greater ones than these — because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14: 12-13) Do I freely use the gifts of the Holy Spirit to build His Kingdom? Am I equipped to pray with family and friends? Will I choose to be salt and light to my neighbors through sharing encounters of God’s love?