August 3, 2004 - Skip Jones
Greetings from the Northwest. You have been on my mind and I am writing to
share with you my story. I am thrilled and privileged to do so because it
is your ministry that has brought about what continues to be an ever-growing
restoration of my relationship with our heavenly Father.
I don't believe you know the background of my story. I had stopped being
active in my church as my wife and I were separated.
When I realized that my marriage
relationship had fully disintegrated I chose to seek restoration of
Relationship. I walked into my church, nervous and frightened how I would
be received there as everyone knew of our separation. I was of course
accepted and supported with open hearts and prayer. It was there I learned
that you had been invited to speak that evening. My heart was heavy with
cynicism and despair but I somehow grasped immediately that I must come and
listen. I did. And that dear friends is where the real story begins.
I arrived at 6:00 p.m., eager and hungry for the word, any word, and scared
of everything. Derk, you took the microphone and demonstrated a calm and
peaceful demeanor with such humility and delightful sense of humor. I
immediately felt Grace working through your gentle message. I didn't know
it, but I was ready to receive the Word and you opened the door. I came
forward that evening and received your and Pastor Gary's prayer and the
torch was lit! It was there I learned of your pending conference on healing
and restoration scheduled at a nearby church.
Once again, I was immediately struck by the loving and committed demeanor of
you both. I knew I was here for good purpose. And I knew I was "safe".
I was very much enjoying the presentation, a welcome blending of education
and celebration of Spirit. I especially was touched by the sweet
relationship you share with the audience in your demonstration of how you
two work together and combine your strengths in your ministry. I was
watching God-inspired relationship weaving and sharing resources and
devotion with all who were in attendance. Derk, you took a moment to walk
among the audience and invited those in need of prayer to come forward and
experience the healing process. I remained in a listening but
non-participatory mode. It was then from way across that large church that
you said you felt a pain in the hip that was a deep burning pain but it was
not yours and asked if anyone there was experiencing that pain. I heard
but was not in a receptive mind and certainly not in a receptive heart! A
few moments later you again noted the deep awareness of the hip pain. I
reluctantly and fearfully (slowly) raised my hand. I responded that indeed
I was in that pain then and in fact had been paralyzed in an accident at age
19 and experienced 24 hour pain over the last 37 years. You invited me
forward for prayer. You, my friend Pastor Keith and later Priscilla, prayed
for God to touch my heart and fill me up with his Grace. And there Derk and
Priscilla, I was restored! The deep burning pain in my left hip left me -
entirely.
Six months later, I am without hip pain - entirely gone!
There is more to this story. Pastor Keith had the wisdom to receive your
ministry and many of his members were in attendance of your conference. I
have attended several Sunday and special prayer meetings where your teaching
has been employed. It was at one evening meeting I came forward and gave
testimony to my healing and told of my running again and how my heart is
free. The following Sunday a fellow in his late 30's came to me and shared
that after hearing my story he accepted God's healing of his feet and he too
was able to run again, something he cherished doing and had not been able to
for more than eleven years. Praise God!
The following Sunday, Pastor Keith delivered a sermon on the importance of
telling the story. He shared with us how a young girl from their youth
group had received God's healing of her spine from scoliosis. And she had
told a young friend who had also attended the youth meeting and received God
in her life. That story led to a woman coming forward after the service to
receive prayer. I was drawn to participate in prayer
for this woman and became aware of her need for relief from spinal pain
following a car accident. The prayer flowed through me for restoration of
Spirit in her life. I sensed a real healing and gathered my things to
leave. On my way out I went into the restroom. I leaned over to wash my
hands and as I did I felt extreme deep soreness in my lower back like that I
have experienced following a full osteopathic treatment. I yelled out in
full acceptance, first in laughter, "Thank you God!" and I began crying
tears of absolute joy and fulfillment. Until that day, I experienced the 24
hour deep and nagging pain, the kind that drains one's energy and kept me
from sound sleep as I had to cross my legs alternatively every 15 minutes
all night to relieve pressure and numbness. I have had five specialists
tell me I must have surgery, yet for those 37 years since the accident and
three months of paralysis I have chosen not to have surgery.
I did not ask for this healing, it was given to me as I rejoiced in the
Spirit and prayed for our sister to know and experience God in absolute
fullness. I am thankful for this gift and know God has empowered me to have
sufficient strength and energy to carry His word and share His story.
Derk and Priscilla, you have accepted this ministry and it would appear God
has provided you all your spiritual needs to share His story. Your
collective talents and passion for Him combine a powerful ability to share
the story and provide opportunity for doors to open to all who seek Him,
By the way, my friends and colleagues tell me I look "rested" and best they
have seen me in quite some time. My wife and I are sharing a common
language in our faith and are progressing in restoring our marriage
relationship. Perhaps the greatest healing I have yet received was God
revealed to me what marriage is in Him. I now understand.
God bless you,
Skip Jones
(edited)
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