John G. Lake, Father of the Healing Rooms

an article published in the Light Magazine

March 1, 2019 by Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird Leave a Comment

What if most of the people in your family died from incurable illnesses? 

Born in St Mary’s in Ontario in 1870, John G. Lake moved with his family to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan in 1886. Eight of his siblings died, despite the best care from medical doctors. This family tragedy inspired Lake to seek the healing power of Jesus Christ. 

After Lake was healed in Chicago from a digestive disease, his whole family went from chronic sickness to supernatural health. His invalid brother got up and walked after healing prayer, his hemorrhaging sister was healed, his mother was restored at the brink of death, and his wife was cured from tuberculosis. 

Upon being filled with the Holy Spirit in 1907, Lake said, “My nature became so sensitized that I could lay hands on any man or woman and tell what organ was diseased, and to what extent.” Rev. Audrey Mabley of Eternally Yours TV describes John G. Lake, a fellow Canadian, as the greatest man of faith for healing that perhaps has ever lived.

For the first nine months after being touched by the Holy Spirit, Lake could not look at a tree without it framing itself into a glory poem of praise, “Everything I said was a stream of poetry.”

Anointing in South Africa

Feeling a call from God in 1908, John G. Lake and Thomas Hezmalhalch, with their large families, boarded a ship to South Africa. Being sure that God would provide, they arrived with just the clothes on their backs and not enough money to enter the country. Waiting in line at customs, a stranger gave them enough money to pay their way into the country. The families were unexpectedly greeted in Johannesburg by Mrs. C.L. Goodenough, who offered a furnished cottage for them to stay in. 

The only way that Lake could describe the anointing that fell on him while in South Africa was as ‘liquid fire’ pumping through his veins. Lake believed that the power of God is equal to every emergency. The well-known South African author Andrew Murray commented of Lake, “The man reveals more of God than any other man in Africa.”  Mahatma Gandhi notably said, “Dr. Lake’s teachings will eventually be accepted by the entire world.” 

So many people were healed in South Africa that Lake was brought by Arthur Ingram, the Bishop of London and Chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, to address a Church of England conference. Bishop Ingram said of Lake’s Triune Salvation talk, “This is the greatest sermon I have ever heard, and I commend its careful study by every priest.” 

Out of this South Africa healing revival was birthed the Apostolic Faith Mission in southern Africa, a movement now numbering 1.2 million people. 

Sadly, on December 22, 1908, while Lake was ministering in the Kalahari Desert, his wife Jenny died from malnutrition and exhaustion. She had been feeding countless poor sick people on her front lawn, while waiting for Lake to return.

The Healing Rooms

Feeling a call to Spokane, Washington, Lake left South Africa, where he settled and  married Florence Switzer, having five more children. In 1915, he began the Spokane Divine Healing Institute, later called the Healing Rooms, training up ‘healing technicians’. His instructions to them were to go to the home of a sick person and not come back until that person was healed. Some might be gone for an hour, some a day, and some for weeks. Lake commented:,“We pray until we are satisfied in our souls that the work is complete. This is where people blunder. They will pray for a day or two, and then they quit.” Having previously been a manager for a life insurance company, his extensive business experience caused many business people to be more open to the gospel. Lake commented: “If there was one thing that I wish I could do for the people of Spokane, it would be to teach them to pray.” In Spokane alone, 100,000 healings had been documented and recorded within just five years. Dr. Ruthlidge, of Washington DC, said that Rev. Lake, through the Healing Rooms, made Spokane the healthiest city in the nation. 

This Spokane Blessing spread back to Lake’s Canadian homeland. A 32-year-old Canadian, William Bernard, had been suffering from curvature of the spine, since being dropped by his nurse at age three. When Bernard said that he had no faith, John G. Lake laughingly said, “I have enough faith for both of us.” After his spine was healed, two physicians certified him as fit for military service. Bernard commented, “I’ve always longed to give my service to my country of Canada.”

Lake fearlessly submitted to a series of experiments at a well-known research clinic where they watched him through x-rays & microscopes in a laboratory context as he successfully prayed for elimination of leg inflammation in a dying man. He called the Healing Rooms the most amazing adventure in the world. The Spokane Better Business Bureau investigated the healings, giving Lake and the Healing Rooms an opportunity to vindicate themselves by presenting numerous local healings with Spokane residents. Most of the cases where people were healed were ones that physicians had pronounced hopeless. One such case involved the healing of a 35-year-old woman from a 30-pound fibroid tumour in her abdomen. The tumour was completely gone after just three minutes of prayer. Lake commented of the Healing Rooms, “The lightnings of Jesus heals men by its flash; sin dissolves, disease flees when the power of God approaches.”

Thanks to Healing Rooms International Director Cal Pierce’s work in Spokane in 1999, there are now 2,961 Healing Rooms in 69 countries around the world. 

According to Tiny Marais, Director for the Greater Vancouver Healing Rooms, the Healing Rooms’ teams at the recent Missions Fest Conference prayed for over 230 people, “We saw the hand of God on everyone we prayed for.” Today, John G. Lake’s life, through the Healing Rooms revival, still impacts millions of lives around the world. 

About Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird

Books by Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird include God’s Firestarters; Blue Sky, a novel; and For Better, For Worse: Discovering the keys to a Lasting Relationship. Dr Ed’s newest award-winning book The Elisha Code is co-authored with Rev. David Kitz. Earlier books by Dr. Ed include the award-winning Battle for the Soul of Canada, and Restoring Health: Body, Mind, & Spirit.

Unsung Hero

A wonderful movie well worth watching

Reflecting on Canada’s biblical heritage

This video was shown at the recent National Prayer Breakfast attended by 1,300 people in Ottawa. The Canadian Bible Society did a very nice short video well worth watching and reposting to others.

Joining the civility revolution with Alexandra Hudson & Judi Vankevich

May Light Magazine

May 3, 2024 by Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird Leave a Comment

Canadians used to be known for how polite and kind we were. We were famous for saying sorry, and putting others first.  Have you noticed that many of us seem to becoming a lot ruder and insensitive? The COVID lockdowns didn’t help. It often brought out the worst in people and forced many into lonely isolation.  What can we do about the anger and nastiness that seems to be sweeping much of Canada?

There’s good news. Alexandra Hudson and her mom Judi Vankevich have launched a civility revolution, to bring back civility and kindness to our public and private lives. We recently attended The Soul of Civility book launch for Western Canada where Alexandra and Judi cast their vision for how goodness and decency can be brought back into the very fabric of how we do life together.  

Hudson came home to B.C. from her new home in Indiana. This was part of her 35-city book tour – from Canadian Parliament to speaking at the Alabama Supreme Court – promoting the conversation around the need for civility.  Hudson attended TWU in Langley, B.C. and followed that with a Masters’ Degree at London School of Economics on a Rotary scholarship.

Vankevich is internationally known as Judi The Manners Lady. She is an award-winning singer, family entertainer, educator, and author. Her book and videos help the often forgotten Ten Commandments come alive for children. Her CD, It’s Fun to Have Good Manners! won Best Children’s Album of the Year for the Covenant Awards. Her new children’s book, The Bad Manners Monsters and The Kindness Keys, is an allegory to help children (of all ages) “take every thought captive.”

Vankevich first launched the non-profit Civility Project in 2003.  Langley, Abbotsford, and Vancouver were the first communities in Canada to celebrate National Manners and Character Day and now they are planning on launching the Civility Movement across Canada and the US. 

Hudson said that her parents, Judi and Ned, a TWU Professor, are wonderfully intellectually curious.  They gave her their love for the great Russian Christian philosophers like Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Solzhenitsyn. Her upcoming book is on autodidactic learning, which is self-taught and ongoing. She wants Christians to more intentionally reclaim their robust intellectual and historical heritage. 

A city councilor from Carmel, Indiana invited Hudson to launch their community-wide, multi-event civility conversation with the theme, “We Can Do Better.” Hudson shared how we can recover civil community through learning to ‘porch’ together. By this, she means not just relying on impersonal social media, but actually hanging out together in person on each other’s porches, front lawns, coffee shops, or similar shared spaces. The civility revolution can start in very small ways. Our internet algorithms encourage us to hide from others in our self-absorbed silos, never deeply listening to those who might think differently than us. Our highly divided culture often encourages us to fear those who hold different views on specific issues.  Hudson encourages us to rediscover the humanity of every person who are all made in God’s image. So, all people are of deep inherent worth and dignity.  Civility is not yelling at the other person to make your point, but stopping to think and then conversing quietly and gently with them.

As a dual Canadian/US citizen, Hudson has been active in politics in both Ottawa and Washington, DC. Sometimes she met aggressive, impolite people in the public realm. What concerned her more though was outwardly polite people who were just as ruthless, first using and then discarding others. This is why she prefers the concept of civility, because it speaks of genuine character. Civility is not about pretending to just fit in, but rather graciously listening and then speaking your truth in difficult situations.  

She observed that as family, faith, and friendships have fragmented, politics is inappropriately filling the vacuum. The political culture wars are endless.  People never get a break from politics, which Hudson says, ends up harming our souls and family life.  Politics, which is a good thing, has become for many an idol, the ultimate source of meaning and purpose. What if we spent more time with our family, friends and colleagues celebrating the sublime beauty of God’s creation?  Wouldn’t that be revolutionary in our deeply conflicted culture?

We thank God for this mother-daughter Christian team who have not given up on kindness and civility. 

About Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird

Books by Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird include God’s Firestarters; Blue Sky, a novel; and For Better, For Worse: Discovering the keys to a Lasting Relationship. Dr Ed’s newest award-winning book The Elisha Code is co-authored with Rev. David Kitz. Earlier books by Dr. Ed include the award-winning Battle for the Soul of Canada, and Restoring Health: Body, Mind, & Spirit.

View all posts by Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird | Website

Menno Simons, Father of the Mennonites

By Rev. Dr. Ed and Janice Hird

-an article published in the Light Magazine

How many Mennonite or Mennonite heritage people do you know?  In the Fraser Valley alone, there are at least 24 Mennonite Churches, led by over 100 pastors.  Menno Simons has birthed a remarkable Mennonite movement of around 200,000 in Canada and over two million people in at least 86 countries. There are now more African Mennonites than in all of North America.

If you attend a church, like millions of Baptist, Pentecostal, Alliance, or independent congregations that practice believer’s baptism, you can thank Menno Simons. And if you value freedom of religion and conscience, you can thank Menno Simons.  Many of his ‘unusual’ ideas have become normalized in evangelical Christian culture.

You may be wondering why an Anglican priest would be writing about the ‘founder/pivotal leader’ of the Mennonites. In full disclosure, Mennonites have radically shaped so many key moments of Ed’s life that he has wondered at times if he is an honorary Mennonite.  Both Ed and Janice were rebaptized as adults.  During the Jesus Movement, Ed was led to Christ and rebaptized in Lake Okanagan by Len Sawatsky, who trained at the Mennonite Columbia Bible College.  While serving as a priest at St. Matthew’s Abbotsford, Ed was privileged to be the first (and perhaps last) Anglican priest to speak to the student body at MEI (Mennonite Educational Institute).  He has even given talks at other Christian schools on Mennonite history.

Menno Simons (1496 –1561) grew up in poverty as a peasant in Friesland, Holland. At an early age, he was enrolled in a monastic school, possibly at the Franciscan monastery in Bolsward, to prepare for the Catholic priesthood. In March 1524, at the age of 28, he was ordained at Utrecht and assigned to the parish at Pingjum, near the place of his birth. Seven years later in 1531, he became the village priest in his home parish at Witmarsum.  Simons learned Latin and some Greek, but never read the Bible out of fear that it would lead him into heresy. Instead, he did a lot of cardplaying and drinking as the parish priest.  He commented: “Finally I got the idea to examine the New Testament carefully.” After reading Luther’s books, Menno became known as an evangelical preacher because he began preaching from the bible.  Menno Simon’s favorite bible verse was 1 Corinthians 3:11 “No one can lay any other foundation than that which is laid, Jesus Christ.” Luther never met Menno Simons and didn’t appreciate Anabaptists.

Menno’s first exposure to ‘rebaptism’ came when he heard of Sicke Snijde’s beheading following his adult baptism. The idea of believer’s baptism initially ‘seemed very strange’ to Menno as he had baptized his churchgoers only as infants.

In 1535, Menno’s brother Pieter, and some people from Menno’s congregation, were among a group of 300 Anabaptists killed during a violent revolution led by Jan van Geelen in Munster, just a few miles away from Menno’s parish.  Of the ones who did not lose their lives in the attack, 37 were then beheaded and 132, both men and women, were taken to Leeuwarden, where another 55 were executed after a short trial. Menno admired their zeal compared to his own complacency:

I saw that these zealous children, though in error, willingly gave their lives and their estates for their doctrine and faith…But I myself continued in my comfortable life and acknowledged abominations simply in order that I might enjoy comfort and escape the cross of Christ. 

Seeing Munster as the apocalyptic New Jerusalem, the Munsterites had embraced polygamy and forced people to be rebaptized on pain of death.  This shocked Menno and so he denounced the Munsterites and embraced non-violence:

The regenerated do not go to war, nor engage in strife. They are children of peace who have beaten their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning forks.

We are called, said Menno, to be a church of peace:

True Christians do not know vengeance.  They are the children of peace.  Their hearts overflow with peace.  Their mouths speak peace and they walk in the way of peace. 

Menno was careful, thoughtful, and reflective, a welcome contrast to the more extreme Munsterite Anabaptists. When Menno Simons became an Anabaptist on January 12^th 1536, he joined a movement in dangerous peril. Almost all of its initial leaders were dead, either by disease (Conrad Grebel) or execution (Felix Manz, Michael Sattler, Hans Hut, Hans Denck, Balthasar Hubmaier, Georg Blaurock, and Jakob Hutter). Melchior Hoffman who brought Anabaptism to the Netherlands was in prison.  Anabaptist leaders usually died within two to three years.

The authorities conveniently lumped the Munsterites and the peaceful Anabaptists together.  Baptist historian William Estep suggested that the history of Anabaptists can be divided into three periods: “before Menno, under Menno, and after Menno.” His decision to get rebaptized was very costly: 

I prayed to God with sighs and tears that He would give to me, a sorrowing sinner, the gift of His grace, create within me a clean heart, and graciously through the merits of the crimson blood of Christ, He would graciously forgive my unclean walk and unprofitable life.

After Menno’s rebaptism in 1536, he became a fugitive.  He spent a year in hiding, seeking God’s direction for his new ministry. During this time, he wrote Van de geestlijke verrijsenisse (“The Spiritual Resurrection”), De nieuwe creatuere (“The New Birth”), and Christelycke leringhen op den 25. Psalm (“Meditation on the Twenty-fifth Psalm”). More than forty of his writings survived. 

In 1537, he was ordained by the Anabaptist leader Obbe Phiips, and married Gertrude.  They had three children, two daughters and a son. Only one daughter outlived him.

Many, including Herman and Gerryt Jansz, were arrested, charged and beheaded for having taken Simons as a lodger.  In 1544, Jan Claess’ head was cut off on Amsterdam’s Dam Square and stuck on a stake; his body was placed on a wheel to be eaten by animals and birds. His crimes included rebaptism by Menno and publication in Antwerp of about 600 copies of Menno’s books.  In 1549, Elisabeth Dirks, was arrested on suspicion of being Menno’s wife (she wasn’t), endured imprisonment, inquisition, torture, and finally death. 

Menno taught the Mennonites, in the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount, to value simplicity and avoid pride:

I voluntarily renounced all my worldly honor and reputation…and at once willingly submitted to distress and poverty, and the cross of Christ.

In 1542, the Holy Roman emperor Charles V promised 100 guilders reward ($8,100 CDN) to bring about Menno’s arrest. In 1543, the Netherlands ordered the death sentence for anyone publishing, spreading, or reading Menno Simon’s work.  Pardon of all crimes, and a hundred guilders, was promised in 1544 to criminals who could deliver Menno Simons to the government. Menno’s publisher John Claus was executed that following year. Around this time, the term ‘Mennist’ or ‘Mennonite’ came into use, a phrase that Menno tried unsuccessfully to discourage. In his later years, he often used crutches, calling himself ‘the lame’. Finally in 1544, the Simons found safe refuge in a Holstein cottage near Lubeck, Germany. After his peaceful death, he was buried in 1561 in his garden. In the 1550s, from 2,000 to 4,000 Mennonites were tortured, beheaded or buried alive. The many stories of the Mennonite martyrs are recorded in the 1660 Martyrs Mirror by Thieleman J. van Braght.

Menno sought to establish a believers’ New Testament Church. His desire to separate church from state was unusual in a time of state churches. He saw the church’s identity as a spotless bride ready for her coming husband. Mennonites often speak of being in the world, but not of it.

Menno’s pacifist convictions brought great suffering to his Mennonite followers who left Holland, then Prussia, then South Russia (Ukraine), and moved to Canada in order to say no to violence.  Ukrainian Mennonites were often caught between a rock and a hard place as first the communists and then the nazis tried to break down their pacifism. While Canada initially promised military exemption and private schools in the language of choice, the government reneged on their educational promise, forcing Mennonite children to attend Public English schools. Over 7,000 Mennonites moved to Mexico and Paraguay because of this betrayal by the Saskatchewan and Manitoba governments.  In 1920 to 1921, Canada banned Mennonites from entering Canada because of their unCanadian pacifist views.  Then again from 1929 to 1945, Mennonites were not permitted to move to Canada. 

A major theme of Menno’s writings is the new birth. He was strongly Christ-centered, desiring believers to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk as new persons. Out of Menno’s deep suffering came a conviction of caring for other hurting people: 

True evangelical faith … cannot lie dormant. … It clothes the naked, it feeds the hungry, it comforts the sorrowful, it shelters the destitute, it serves those that harm it … it binds up that which is wounded … it has become all things to all people.

Menno’s compassion has inspired the MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) to help millions, particularly those who are refugees.  Matthew 25:35 has been described as the ‘national anthem’ of the Mennonites: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” Many lost people first meet Jesus through the practical caring of Mennonites.  Encouraged by Menno’s example, Mennonite communities regularly show the highest level of charitable giving in Canada.

Like their founder, Mennonites tend to be independently minded people.  Life for Mennonites is often like a Mennonite patchwork quilt of joy and suffering.  Because Mennonites fight with words rather than weapons, they have developed a rich body of literature exploring their history and identity. They remarkably turn tragedy into comedy with very dry humour and word-play. 

We thank God for Menno Simons and his caring, peaceful and generous Mennonites who have made Canada a better place to live.

Rev. Dr. Ed & Janice Hird

Join us on our retreat

Join us at the July 5th to 6th BC Christian Ashram retreat

Invitation to Joy with John Murray

John Murray has once again written a very helpful book Invitation to Joy. To read this book is to take a nice warm bath. It is very comforting and full of wisdom. John shows through this book that he is aging well, and has learnt much along the way. I love his winsome stories and his gentle spiritual insights. John writes in a way that both strong Christians and uncertain seekers can relate to, and benefit from. This book is indeed an invitation to joy. I highly commend this book to others.

Brent Chapman nominated in South Surrey

https://www.conservativebc.ca/brent_chapman_nominated_in_surrey_south

BRENT CHAPMAN NOMINATED IN SURREY SOUTH 

Posted by Brent Chapman
May 02, 2024

About

Brent Chapman is a multifaceted professional with a robust background in acting, producing, broadcasting, writing, and voice coaching, bringing a wealth of expertise to every project he undertakes. His career highlights include being a well-recognized television commercial actor for major brands like Coca-Cola, Sears, and Honda, as well as his extensive political experience and commitment to conservative values.

In his personal life, Brent cherishes his long-term marriage to a lawyer-turned-politician, with whom he has raised four accomplished children. This family-centered foundation fuels his dedication to both personal and professional excellence, evident in his commitment to serving the South Surrey community.

Strengths:

1. Mobilizing Volunteers:Brent has a talent for rallying volunteers and organizing grassroots efforts to support quality candidates and uphold conservative values in Surrey South. His passion for coordinating volunteer activities drives impactful community engagement.
2. Passionate Advocate:Brent is deeply committed to serving the South Surrey community and promoting conservative values and principles. His dedication shines through in his advocacy work and community service initiatives.
3. Effective Communicator: With a knack for conveying ideas clearly and persuasively, Brent excels in various communication settings and platforms. His ability to articulate messages effectively contributes to successful outreach and engagement with constituents.
4. Hardworking Professional: Brent’s work ethic is characterized by dedication and commitment, both in his career pursuits and volunteer endeavors. His relentless drive to achieve goals and deliver results sets him apart as a hardworking and dependable professional.
5. Experienced Campaigner: With valuable political experience and insight into successful campaign strategies, Brent brings a strategic approach to his advocacy efforts. His understanding of grassroots campaigning and effective communication strategies enhances his ability to mobilize support and drive positive change.

With a passion for serving the South Surrey community and a track record of effective leadership, Brent Chapman is poised to uphold conservative values and principles as a candidate for the Conservative Party of British Columbia in Surrey South.

To read Brent’s full profile, click here. 

Brent Chapman

Check out Brent Chapman

Family is a gift

The Blessings of Time with Family