A growing Healing Rooms ministry focuses the power of faith on the needs of the ill and depressed.
By EBONY WINDOM
Published May 8, 2004
PORT RICHEY - When a dentist told Eleonora Marinaro that her aching tooth would have to come out, she opted for a second opinion.
But instead of visiting another dentist, Marinaro, 62, made a trip to Healing Rooms on Tuesday.
A handful of folks seek healing there once a week.
The Washington-based International Healing Rooms of Spokane began in 1999. There, people are trained to tap into their faith and offer prayer for the sick. The ministry boasts more than 200 locations worldwide, including one in Port Richey that began six months ago. The Web site lists testimony from people who say they have experienced a divine healing. They credit Healing Rooms with helping to rid them of cancer, arthritis pain and HIV.
In Port Richey, people get comfy in plush, red pews at Light of the World Tabernacle.
They're in for a long night of prayer. This sanctuary is a temporary site until organizers get a building of their own. They receive donations from time to time, but they never ask for it, local director Arlene Tierce says. "God will provide."
In the dimly lighted sanctuary, candle flames flicker. Mellow music and murmured prayers can be heard as the participants experience "soaking worship." Folks wait here with eyes closed.
It's a quiet time for prayer and preparation. They call it a "romantic evening with God." Soaking worship allows people to get ready to receive God's anointing, Tierce says.
"It's like soaking a dirty pan," said Tierce, 63. "God softens their hearts."
The sick jot down their ailments and sign a legal liability release. Then they wait in the soaking room to be seen.
Later, they meet volunteers, armed with olive oil for anointing.
Since the start of this Port Richey ministry, 36 people have been trained to heal. Most of them learned of it by word of mouth. They come from various churches. Tierce offers training each month using videos provided by the headquarters. They ask that trainees fill out a form and bring in a letter from their pastors to attest to their Christian experience.
Healing is an equal opportunity ministry.
Anyone can be trained, and anyone can be healed, says co-director Sheryl Singletary. Soon, organizers plan to start screening applicants using a background check, but for now they just rely on intuition.
"We look for people with submissive hearts and people who have a compassion to reach out to other people," said Singletary, 57, of Holiday. "Confidentiality is important, and a motive of love, mercy and compassion. No judgment, or criticism (is allowed). We're here to help build and encourage people in our community."
On Tuesday, Marinaro waited to be called. She and her husband, David Gaboury of Port Richey, are Catholic and visit Healing Rooms on occasion. Soon, they hope to help out, too.
All takes place in the pastor's office. It's a small room decorated with framed photos from fishing trips. It's also a private place where people meet with a crew of prayer partners.
Three people offer prayer to the sick: one leader and two intercessors. There's strength in numbers, Tierce says.
"When two or three are gathered in his name, there he is," Tierce said. "It's like there's more of God's power there. There's power in unity."
Last Tuesday, one woman came out of the pastor's office in tears.
Finally, it was Marinaro's turn. Gaboury stayed behind.
A dentist warned Marinaro that her infected molar could later cause big problems. She dreads having it pulled. Now, Marinaro says she hopes for a divine healing.
Volunteer Nick Nickerson is confident.
"In this case, it's going to be simple," he said.
People come here for other ailments, too. In this room, they've offered prayer to people with cancer and mental illnesses. Holidays are always a busy time, too. They get bombarded because people tend to feel depressed, Tierce says. They pray for that, too.
Back in the pastor's office, Singletary places fingers with pink-painted nails on Marinaro's forehead. She uses oil to anoint Marinaro. Singletary touches Marinaro's left cheek where the sore tooth is, and closes her eyes.
"Infection, we command that you go in the name of Jesus!" Singletary prays. "We call this tooth healed in Jesus Christ's name!"
Another volunteer steps up to Marinaro. John Lord places his creased hands on both sides of her face and prays. Marinaro nearly loses her balance. Nickerson scoops her up. It's not uncommon for folks to fall down during prayer. They are overcome. Tierce calls it being "slain in the spirit."
Moments later, Marinaro opens her eyes and wipes away a tear. She said she had felt "waves of peacefulness."
Marinaro says she plans to return to the dentist soon. She expects good news.
"I expect (the dentist) to find out that the infection is cleared up, and they don't have to pull the tooth," she said.
People are encouraged to continue with medical treatment.
"We're not against medicine or doctors," Tierce said. "Jesus is working through those doctors, (even) the doctors are surprised."
"Healing takes time," she said. "We say "come back, we'll keep praying for you until this thing gets nipped in the bud."'
Some people return week after week. Others experience "instant" healing, Singletary says. Sometimes, they return to share testimony.
Soon, Marinaro says she plans to be among them.
TO LEARN MORE
For information on Healing Rooms, call Arlene Tierce at 727 207-2726 or visit the Web site www.healingrooms.com
