In August 2010, we brought you Richard Waller's Healing Journey. The faith-building story was Richard's testimony of salvation, introduction to Andrew's ministry and his subsequent healing. Today we bring you an updated and expanded version of his story. Watch the video below to see the amazing transformation that took place in Richard's life, and let his testimony be a reminder to you of God's unconditional love and grace.

CBC-Colorado graduate and street minister, Chris Bratton.
(Click to enlarge)One year before Chris Bratton became a student at Charis Bible College, he was employed as a heavy equipment operator near Dalton, Georgia. At the time, Chris led several small groups for youth and young adults at the church he attended, but the prayer in his heart revealed his desire for more. His prayers were those of a thankful man; he was thankful for his job and the ministries the Lord had opened to him. He also prayed with a servant's heart, "If You want me somewhere else, I will go wherever You want me. If there is something else, if there is more...I want more." Today Chris is far from Georgia, living his new life of more, ministering the love of God to the people of Colorado Springs.

Chris has believed in Jesus since he was a young boy, but it wasn't until spending time in jail that he truly received Jesus as his Savior. After being arrested four times in six months, on alcohol and drug related charges, Chris lost his driving privileges for five years and spent a Chris, in 2010, on his way to Colorado to soak in the Word. (Click to enlarge) month-and-a-half in jail. While incarcerated, he turned to Jesus and asked Him to help him overcome his struggles with substance abuse. "Every day since opening my heart and surrendering my life, I know His presence has never left me. He has been with me every moment since that day," said Chris.

After his release from jail, Chris began visiting a local church; there he connected with a young adult small group. His involvement with the group helped him find his place in the Body of Christ and further established his walk with the Lord. Three years later, as Chris' true identity in Christ was revealed to him, his leadership skills began to emerge and he started leading Chris found out who God created him to be by spending time in the Word. (Click to enlarge)the group. Chris' style equipped those within the gathering to step forward and engage their faith; he encouraged them to have a voice and participate in the discipleship process. In addition, he began taking small numbers of people out into the streets of the local area to minister to anyone they encountered.

Through his church Chris also found a mentor, a man well acquainted with Andrew's ministry. This friendship introduced Chris to more of God's true nature. While Chris had been born again and baptized in the Holy Spirit before coming in contact with Andrew's teaching, it was Andrew's message on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit that helped him understand what God was doing in, and through him.

With his new revelation, he realized that the desire for something more that had risen in his heart was from God. Chris praying with two boys in a park in Simla, Colorado. (Click to enlarge)He spent significant time praying his prayer, "...if there's more...I want more..." and things began to change. "Things started shifting, and doors that were open, started closing. It was a beautiful thing. I got laid off and pulled out of the ministry I was involved in. I never questioned what the Lord was doing—I knew in my spirit greater things were coming," recalled Chris.

Chris' mentor mentioned CBC, and suggested Chris check out the school's website. The first time he visited the site, he sensed the Lord leading him to attend. Every time he went to the site, the Holy Spirit seemed to flood his body, and he began to consider moving to Colorado. While still contemplating Chris and a friend ministering to a young man in downtown Colorado Springs. (Click to enlarge)the move, Chris and some friends attended Andrew's 2010 Gospel Truth Seminar in Atlanta. At the GTS, one of Chris' friends paid for his registration to attend CBC.

Two years at Charis further solidified Chris' relationship with the Lord and fueled his growing passion for street ministry. "The Word that was planted during my first year amplified the way I was able to communicate with people," said Chris. The Lord used Isaiah 61:1 to quicken Chris' spirit and call him into ministry. "This verse has come alive in me and given me a heart for people. I was a drug addict for ten years, Visible joy. Chris had just finished ministering to the young man in the Heat jersey. (See photo above).
(Click to enlarge)and I have been released. Now I can release others through lots of love. I get to demonstrate God's love to the world, just like Jesus," he said excitedly.

Since his graduation from CBC, Chris has taken his revelation of God's unconditional love for him, and has begun to minister to any and all who will listen. For the past several years Chris has been ministering late at night, on the weekends, in downtown Colorado Springs. Though he said he usually has a handful of Charis students with him when he heads out at 12:30 am, he will also hit the streets by himself if the Lord leads him to do so. Whether he goes with a team or without, Chris Chris also serves as the Small Group and Outreach Pastor at Pulse. This photo was taken at a Pulse Children's Festival, held in the fall of 2012.
(Click to enlarge)normally ministers for several hours before calling it a night—or morning. Chris said he and his teams are usually well received by the late-night crowd, and that they see many hearts and bodies healed through their ministry. As he meets people on the street, he is aware that they are not encountering Chris' own intellect, knowledge or opinion, but rather Christ operating in and through him. "They are encountering Jesus, face-to-face, and that's what captures the human heart—it is the love of God that leads them to repentance and relationship."

Chris has also hooked up with a growing body of believers in Colorado Springs called, Pulse, a ministry founded by fellow CBC graduate Justin Knapp. Today, Chris serves as the Chris performing a wedding ceremony. (Click to enlarge)Small Groups and Outreach Pastor for the predominantly twenty-something's gathering. His groups, shaped by his call to street ministry, are preparing to operate as evangelism outreach teams. Chris' vision includes multiple teams serving the community throughout the week, in addition to the late-night out reach currently happening on the weekends.

Chris said, "I used to make money for a living and do ministry on the side. Now my primary focus is meeting with people and sharing the love of Christ. I sow into people, people sow into me and God brings the increase. Thank you CBC for putting God first and for equipping the saints for the ministry the Father has for each of His children."

Houston, Texas is home to a new Charis Bible College extension school, directed by CBC-Colorado graduates, Cody and Misty Hull. (Click to enlarge)Since completing their studies at Charis Bible College in Colorado, Texas natives, Cody and Misty Hull, have been sharing the Gospel throughout the United States. After completing their CBC apprenticeships in Colorado Springs, the Hulls moved to Georgia where they served on staff for two years at CBC-Atlanta. In 2007, the couple stepped out and launched a new CBC campus in Kansas City, a school they directed through the end of the 2012 academic year. Most recently the Hulls have come full circle and moved back to Texas, where they have taken the helm of new CBC extension in Houston.

Through conversations with AWM's Director of World Outreach, Wendell Parr, the Hulls were made aware of the growing interest the ministry was observing from people in the Houston area. At the time, the ministry was considering the possibility of opening a new extension school near the city. Cody and Misty began to discuss the opportunity.

The colorful Houston skyline.
(Click to enlarge)As they considered the prospect of a move back to Texas, and the opportunities it would bring their family, a new desire surfaced in the Hull's hearts, the longing to move back to Texas. After ten years away, Cody, Misty and their family prepared for their return to the Lone Star State. "God gave me and Misty the strong desire to move back, and He showed us the steps we needed to take before we would be able to go forward," said Cody. He went on to say that they let the peace of God rule in their hearts before making the final decision to go.

Cody Hull leading class.
(Click to enlarge)The Hulls set things in motion for their exit from leadership at CBC-Kansas City. CBC-Colorado graduates, Mark and Charla Eastwood moved to Kansas City in 2011 and served as apprentices under the Hulls. As they worked together, the Eastwoods transitioned into leadership at the extension school. "Mark and Charla are awesome. They had a desire to serve with us in Kansas City, and the transition was very smooth. They have their own building now, and I know they are a huge blessing for the Kansas City area," said Cody.

Now, the Hulls are settled in their Texas surroundings, and the new school is up and running. CBC-Houston opened CBC-Houston opened in the Fall of 2012. (Click to enlarge)its doors in the Fall of 2012 with a dozen full-time, first and second-year students, and another seven students taking part-time evening classes. The Hulls are enjoying watching the transformational work the Lord is doing through their ministry. "We are still in a process of changing and growing because of this message—the Gospel changes us from the inside out. We are examples of it and we see it all the time in our students. In Kansas City we witnessed many lives changed because of CBC and the Gospel. We are excited to be a part of what God is doing around the world," Cody shared.

Classes vary between DVD and live teaching. Here students watch as Andrew via DVD. (Click to enlarge)Ministry has brought a new level of fulfillment to the Hull's lives and they are grateful for their CBC experience. Cody said, "Before CBC we lived the normal go-to-work-come-home-kind-of-life, and we knew there was so much more. We were hungry for more than what we were getting from church. Since CBC, we continue to grow and mature in the things of God— the way it's supposed to be. Praise God for this school and how the Gospel changes us."

The Hull's new CBC website is under construction, but you can keep up with the Hulls and CBC-Houston on Facebook or visit them in person at 301 Wells Fargo Dr. Suite C14 Houston, Texas 77090.

Pat and Donna Hiller, found their way out of recession and into financial freedom through the revelation of giving. (Click to enlarge)It is safe to say that a majority of the people, who follow Andrew's ministry closely, are aware that Andrew has refused to participate in the downward stumbling economic crisis that has gripped most of America and the world beyond her borders. In fact, guided by the Lord's hand, Andrew Wommack Ministries has flourished in these times of economic uncertainty. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Among the many caught in the real estate market slow-down between 2008 and 2011, were Pat and Donna Hiller.

The Hillers have made their living meeting the real estate needs of the people of the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. Paul has been involved with real estate for the past 25 years, and Donna joined him in business in 2009. Because of the massive Pat and Donna relaxing by the fire. (Click to enlarge)slowdown of real estate transactions and the lower prices properties were generating, the commission based income the Hillers relied upon to meet their expenses was greatly reduced. With less income, their debt load increased.

One morning in February of 2011, as the Hillers were preparing for their day, they came across Andrew's Gospel Truth program on television. Pat and Donna liked what they heard and began tuning in on a regular basis. The Hillers were both born again believers and were active in their church, but the more they listened to Andrew, the more they realized that they had not received revelation regarding finances at their church.

A healing testimony within a financial testimony: Pat enjoys the thrill of downhill speed on skis. In January 2012, he had an accident, during which he broke his pelvis. (Click to enlarge)During the month of April, Andrew taught a series on Financial Stewardship as part of his TV ministry. Among the five week's worth of teaching, Andrew shared a message called Giving Where You're Fed. This message radically changed the Hiller's perspective on money and transformed their giving—even in the midst of their financial lack. "We became partners with Andrew Wommack Ministries when we heard the message, Give Where You Are Fed. We did not feel that we had money to give, but we gave anyway. We were certainly being fed by AWM so that is where we gave," said Donna.

The Hillers had always tried to be generous, but through Andrew's teaching on giving, the Hillers re-structured their After spending 8 days in the hospital he was discharged and told he would be in a wheelchair for at least 3 months. The Hillers did not accept the prognosis or the wheelchair, and stood on God's word for healing. This team picture was taken 1 month later. (Click to enlarge)tithing and put God first. "The teaching had a huge impact," said Donna. "We had always given; however, we tithed from our commissions after our expenses. We started tithing from the full commission and still do so today. We received a real excitement about giving, and we just looked for places we could give...items to food shelves, items to Goodwill, etc."

Pat and Donna's struggle to keep up with mortgages, two auto lease payments and other expenses began to ease as the market began to rebound and they continued to look for ways to give. God has supernaturally blessed the Hillers since they gained this revelation; in 2012 Pat and Donna's income increased by 150%. As a result of their new understanding of stewardship, they were able to pay off $120,000 of debt last year.

Pat was healed and off his crutches in early March! He is back on the slopes for the 2013 ski season.
(Click to enlarge)Andrew's teaching also blessed the Hillers in the area of healing. In January of 2012, Pat broke his pelvis in a skiing accident. As they applied the Word to his situation, both to the injury and to the financial impact the accident had on the couple, Pat had a supernaturally fast recovery, and the hospital discounted the final cost of their services.

Donna said the most important message they have received from Andrew has been to get the Word in them, and to speak the Word in faith. God has supernaturally blessed the Hillers since they gained this revelation, and He will bless you too (Acts 10:34).

In this short video update Andrew reviews the construction progress at The Sanctuary in Woodland Park, Colorado. After four months of work, the concrete support structure for the Barn, the first of Charis Bible College's new buildings, is in place. Crews worked diligently to prepare the base for the South-facing pre-cast wall of the basement and the interior steel framing of the structure. Much attention was also given to the new road system on the property to make way for the arrival of the pre-cast wall sections and the 260-foot-tall crane needed to erect the wall sections and 300 tons of steel. While most of the work accomplished since Andrew's last update is now underground, viewers are able to see many changes in the landscape as his camera crews move around the campus.

Workers constructing framing for the cement footings for the South-facing wall. (Click to enlarge) One of the 30 cement pad footings now buried under the floor of the Barn's basement. (Click to enlarge)

The elevator shaft covered by tarps.
(Click to enlarge) The elevator shaft within the tarps pictured at left. (Click to enlarge)

The pre-cast walls ready to be delivered and erected.
(Click to enlarge) The crane used to place the precast walls under construction. (Click to enlarge)

This update was filmed January 14th, to view the most recent video update visit the Sanctuary Construction Update page on the ministry's main website.

A child from a gypsy village in Serbia.
(Click to enlarge)In late November 2012, a twenty member mission team from Charis Bible College Colorado visited two European nations to spread the contagious and almost-too-good-to-be-true-news of Jesus Christ. The team, led by CBC Missions Coordinator, Michelle Patterson, and third-year interns, Josh Moore and Melody Koop, paired their efforts with European Initiative, led by Jeff Serio, as they ministered throughout Hungary and Serbia.

CBC's Hungary/Serbia 2012 mission team. (Click to enlarge)The diversely gifted and flexible CBC team was well prepared to share the love of God with all those they came in contact with, from the poorest of the poor to the seemingly well off. The CBC students were prepared with two evangelistic dramas, a pair of Christmas skits, a puppet show, and games and activities for the children. They had opportunities to minister everywhere they went, from the subway platform to the church platform, to the rubbish heap. A staff member from European Initiative commented that the CBC team even had a high-level skateboarder, who dazzled the kids and adults, drawing big crowds to outreach programs.Sharing Jesus on a skateboard.
(Click to enlarge)

One couple from CBC, Chris and Donna Barnard, had the opportunity to participate in the children's ministry programs. Both had served in children's ministry before, and it occurred to Chris that children are children no matter where they are in the world. He said, "They all love to have fun, they all can be very insightful, and they all love candy."

As the Barnards and their team ministered on God’s love, a little boy asked why we can't see God or feel God? Donna Chris and Donna Barnard and Tyler Showers praying for a lady in Serbia. (Click to enlarge)asked the boy, “Does your mother hug you? Does your sister hug you?” The little boy said yes. Donna then asked for his permission to give him a hug and said to him, “This, is God hugging you.” A huge smile broke out across the boy's face. At the end of the service when his mother came to pick him up, the little boy ran into Donna’s arms for one more of God’s hugs. "They all responded to the love of God demonstrated through our hugs, our heartfelt words, and warm looks directly into their eyes," said Chris.

The team performing a drama on the streets of Serbia. (Click to enlarge)Another student, Travis VanMatre, originally viewed his participation on the trip as little more than fulfilling a graduation requirement, another step toward his own full-time ministry. What Travis didn't know was that the trip would change his world perspective and his life. As he passed through security on the way back to the United States, he realized he was not that same as when he left America. God had changed his heart about the world; all of a sudden it wasn’t as big. Travis said, "God showed me that no matter where you go, no matter who you are worshipping with, He is Missions Coordinator, Michelle Patterson (top center) CBC Intern, Melody Koop (left center) Second-year student, Tori Gaines (right center) sharing the love of Jesus with the children in Serbia. (Click to enlarge)always the same! It was amazing to stand in a church service in Serbia, and then in an evening service in Hungary, and see everyone worshipping with the same passion and zeal. When you are in those moments, there are no language barriers, no cultural differences—everyone is a citizen of Heaven worshipping our Great Love."

According to Michelle, the team ministered on the city streets; worked in churches, teaching and performing dramas; visited gypsy villages, Afghan refugee camps, and met in homes and public schools. "We would do four outreaches per day—this team was incredible," said Michelle.

Will and Becky Royer minister to a man in Hungary. (Click to enlarge)"The Charis Bible College team impacted thousands of Hungarians and Serbians with the love of Jesus Christ," said European Initiative founder, Jeff Serio.

For a glimpse of the ministry that took place on this trip, be sure to watch the short video recap below.

CBC graduate, John Essy, pastor of Charis Church in State College, Pennsylvania. (Click to enlarge)Two years ago we introduced readers to John Essy, in an article titled God Rocked My World. John is a Charis Bible College graduate, and he is the founder of John Essy Ministries (JEM) located in State College, Pennsylvania. At the time of our first article about John, JEM was a para-church organization, but for the past 12 months John's ministry focus has shifted and he now leads a gathering of believers called, Charis Church. While the perception of his ministry has changed, his focus and role have not; he ministers the Word, prays and shares God's merciful love and grace with the people of State College.

John during a pre-service time of sharing personal testimonies and answering questions. (Click to enlarge)When John and his wife Leslie left Colorado to step into ministry in the Keystone State, planting and pastoring a church was the last thing on John's mind. However, as the years went by, he sensed the Lord refocusing the direction of his ministry. John first began to entertain thoughts of starting a church at the end of 2011, but he was reluctant to make the change and dismissed the idea, blaming it on his imagination. The prompting to plant a church not only remained, but it continued to grow. John finally acknowledged that the idea may be the Lord's. Conscious of his commitment to do whatever God asked of him, John said, "Okay Lord, I think this is you. I will start a church if that is what you want me to do."

Charis Church's new location in the Hope for Kids building, 1400 Fox Hill Rd, State College, PA 16803.
(Click to enlarge)Three days later a close friend of John's, who operates proficiently in the prophetic, approached him and said, “The Lord told me to tell you that it is time for you to start a church.” At that point, John said it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that he should move forward and start a church.

In February of 2012, John launched Charis Church in State College. In the early going, John ministered to a small, but steady crowd of 15 regular attendees. By early autumn the church was meeting in a hotel conference room, and the base of regular attendees had doubled. Growth continued and at the end of 2012, a Christian business woman recognized John's need for more space and offered the use of a large multipurpose room in her business complex. John's wife, Leslie, and daughter, Rachel, serving as part of the Charis' tech team. (Click to enlarge)At the beginning of 2013, John and Charis Church moved into the new space. Charis' new facility can accommodate 200 people.

Many of those in John's congregation are people who had previously stopped attending church for one reason or another. Often these people are the ones John sees break free from the bondage of religion when they receive the true Gospel of grace. He views the ones who find the freedom, as those who will be leaders in the church. "My vision is to establish these leaders in the grace message, for the next year or so, and then send them out to do the work of the ministry in the heart of our city," John said.

John's services are casual, relaxed and focused on the Word. (Click to enlarge)Most of his congregation loves the grace message, and John can see them growing by leaps and bounds in their relationships with the Lord, but John is also aware of some resistance in those new to grace. John said, "The true Gospel of grace, preached in its purest form, can be offensive to anyone who has even a little religion in them. For instance, I recently preached that sin does not stop the power of God from moving in a person’s life, no matter how big the sin—even adultery. I said that people can get healed even if they are having an adulterous relationship. You preach a message like that and you will have resistance. But like it or not, that’s the Gospel."

Although in appearance, John's ministry has taken on a new face, that of a church, his job description hasn't changed much in the crossover. He considers the shift an expansion of ministry he was already doing, only now he focuses on teaching in one location. The church posts most of John's Sunday messages on their website, so in essence, he is still bringing the Word to all who will listen, he's simply traveling via the internet.

Dr. David Riffel and his family. (L-R) The Riffel's son, Kirk and his wife Shelley; their two daughters, Danielle and Lauren; daughter-in-law, Rhonda and her husband, the Riffel's son, Craig, and their two children, Emily and Stephen; Marian and David. (Click to enlarge)What happens when a Christian doctor, a man who practices a hands-on form of healthcare, gets a revelation of the power of the laying on of hands and of his authority in Christ? Miracles happen. Meet Doctor David Riffel, a practicing Chiropractor from Michigan, who has gotten a hold of Andrew's teachings and they have radically changed his life, work and ministry.

David and his wife of 45 years, Marian, have been spirit-filled believers for four decades. The couple had watched Andrew's television program periodically for a couple of years, but it wasn't until a longtime friend, Angie Abraham, who had been healed of cancer, suggested they read Andrew's books, that they really got a hold of the Gospel Truth.

The Riffel's friend, Colleen Morabito, had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer of the lungs and spine. This photo was taken between PET scans. (Click to enlarge)Just before the Christmas holiday in 2011, David read God Wants You Well, and he said that the information rocked his world. Between his formal medical education and having attended a church that taught about healing, David was familiar with the subject prior to reading the book. This made receiving the revelation of the availability of healing, through prayer and faith in Christ's finished work, a short leap of faith. "What I read in God Wants You Well told me that we have the power and authority to command sickness to leave and to release the power of God to heal others. This was something I had read in Scripture before, but I never saw it modeled in the dramatic ways that Andrew explained with certainty, and so I never believed that I had reason to expect dramatic results and that miracles could be a normal part of the Christian life."

As David began to get a hold of the revelation unveiled in Andrew's books, he also began to step out in faith and put into practice the things he saw in Scripture. David saw that Jesus told the disciples to, 'speak to the mountain,' but he had never understood that to be After David began to see results as he ministered to others, his pastor asked him to teach a class on healing at their church. (Click to enlarge)applicable to disease. After reading God Wants You Well, he had understanding and started to address people's ailments by their root causes. He has spoken to various mountains including kidney stones, Alzheimer's and cancer and seen some dramatic results.

The Riffels have a friend, Colleen, who had been diagnosed with stage four cancer of the lungs and spine around the same time they had read God Wants You Well. When the Riffels found out about the diagnosis, they gave Colleen's husband, Paul, a copy of the book to give to Colleen. In March of 2012, they invited Paul and Colleen and their longtime friend Angie and her husband Eldon to their home. Together they ministered to Paul and Colleen Colleen and David. Here, Colleen shares here testimony of healing in front of David's healing class at their church. (Click to enlarge)regarding God’s will to heal. The couples prayed and commanded cancer to leave Colleen's body, and they released the life of Christ into her to heal the damage done by the cancer.

Two weeks later the Riffels saw Colleen at church, and she looked radiant for a woman battling cancer. Two months after they prayed for Colleen, she had a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan which showed that all of the nodules in one lung had gone and that the tumors in the other had shrunk by 50%. Two more months passed, and another PET scan showed that one tumor was completely gone, and the second one had shrunk by 90%. The doctor explained that what was left was, “just a dot,” and according to Colleen the doctor said, “I’m ecstatic!” All the families involved are ecstatic as well, and David is standing with Colleen that her David and his friends, brothers, Dave and Dan Zink standing next to David's plane. David's revelation of his authority in Christ hasn't been limited to spirit and body, but he has spoken to weather conditions while flying and seen the weather change. (Click to enlarge)full healing will manifest as she and Paul continue to stand on God's Word.

The reality of God's power being available and flowing through believers has changed David's approach to healing and has opened up opportunities for him to share the good news with others in new ways. Since reading God Wants You Well, David has given away more than 200 copies of the book to relatives, friends and patients visiting his practice. This has not only produced healing, but has also yielded many salvations. And, after witnessing the fruit of David's ministry to people in their church, his pastor asked him to teach a series on his revelation.

This screenshot from the cockpit satellite weather display shows the weather parting after David spoke to the storm as he and his son flew to Colorado Springs. (Click to enlarge)It has become a daily occurrence for David to pray for a patient or friend and to see results, either on the spot or progressively—both undeniably credited to God's healing power. He has seen kidneys healed, barren wombs retain pregnancy, and even seen weather patterns change after taking authority over them. "We have gained so much understanding of the Word by reading Andrew’s books (we have about every book he has written) and the revelations God has given me in the Word are amazing," said David with joyful satisfaction in the Lord.

These Charis Bible College second-year students ministered in the Dominican Republic earlier this year.The first CBC-Colorado mission team to leave the country in 2013 went to the fertile ground of the Dominican Republic to share the love of Jesus. They were hosted by ministry friends and full-time missionaries, Tim and Trena Johnson, at their mission compound in Santiago. The hug of a lifetime. CBC student, Jim Holmes, bear-hugging some local children with the Father's love.
(Click to enlarge)Using the compound as a hub for their outreach activity, the students were given the opportunity to minister the Gospel in a number of ways throughout the city. The team held meetings, visited schools and prisons, and ministered through street outreaches, performing skits, canvassing neighborhoods and distributing food. Their efforts yielded fruit in God's harvest.

One CBC student, Dennison Strong, spent his time in Santiago acutely aware of the Lord's voice (John 10:27) and he shared the words he heard, as the Lord led him to speak. The CBC team was the first group of missionaries ever to enter this school. It was here that souls and lives were saved. (Click to enlarge)During one outreach, held in a school that had not previously allowed missionaries in to minister, Dennison heard a specific word from the Lord. Concerned because the service was winding down, and most of the ministry had already taken place, he wondered how to present what he had heard to the hundreds of students in attendance. Dennison kept hearing, "There's a girl here who is going to commit suicide. She doesn't like herself. She's ashamed of what her life has been like. She feels dirty and has been abused."

"I knew it was the Lord speaking, but didn't know how to find her," said Dennison. Dennison and Ismaria, the young lady saved from suicide because Dennison stepped out in faith, and let her know of God's specific love for her. (Click to enlarge)He approached one of the team's interpreters and asked him to make this word of knowledge known in Spanish over the PA system. After the word was shared, a teacher, who was talking with a girl at the side of the platform, sent the girl over to Dennison to receive prayer. "After praying for deliverance in her life from the lies she'd believed, the Lord gave me more words to encourage her. She is a different person now and was glowing with God's love and mercy in her life. I love how God knows who's hurting and orchestrates His provision," said Dennison.

Another student, Rena Keener, shared an encounter of her own. During an outreach in a public park, Rena noticed a young man resting on the fringes of the ministry area. He was noticeably downcast and had several visible injuries. He had casts on his left leg and his left hand, with screws and stabilizing pins sticking out of both. Rena watched Rena (center of skit) noticed Davor while performing in one of the groups dramas. (Click to enlarge)the young man draw closer as the team ministered. After the presentation, Rena and classmate, Gary Laxson, approached him. His name was Davor; he was an 18 year old Haitian refugee. After being asked about his injuries, Davor expressed that his hand was in severe pain. Rena and Gary laid hands on Davor's hand and commanded the pain to leave. When asked if his hand was pain free, Davor said it was better, but it still hurt.

As their ministry to Davor continued, Rena asked if he had ever received Jesus as his Savior. He said no, but expressed that he wanted to receive Him. With the help of their interpreter, Rena and Gary walked Davor through the prayer of Davor (circled in red) sitting on the curb where Rena first noticed him. (Click to enlarge)salvation and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Davor's countenance had changed since she first spotted him, and a big smile began to spread across his face. Rena said, "He was very excited. Then he looked at me, touched his hand and yelled 'C'est bien! C'est bien!' which is French for 'It's Good! It's Good!' We had the interpreter verify that all the pain in his hand was now completely gone!"

According to CBC student, Diane Coble, one of the team's interpreters tearfully expressed that she knew the team was sent by God, because the CBC team introduced the Holy Spirit during the Salvation message. "I was so blessed to be able to take what I've received at CBC and share it with others," said Diane.

After hearing Andrew say that it was not God's will for her to be sick, Jahmae spoke to her mountain of depression and received her healing. Here stands with her two sons, Antonio (8) and Anthony (6). (Click to enlarge)At first glance, no one would have guessed that 24-year-old nurse, Jahmae, was struggling with depression. On the inside however, Jahmae was wrestling with depression and continuous thoughts of suicide. The failure of her marriage left her feeling lonely and as though no one loved her—not even her two little boys. During her two-and-half year battle with depression, Jahmae was introduced to Jesus' healing power, through Andrew's ministry, and her life has changed dramatically.

Jahmae's condition had driven her to seek medical help. Her psychologist and psychiatrist prescribed the use of anti-depressant medication to treat and manage her feelings of depression. While in the care of these professionals, nothing seemed to help Jahmae; she still felt helplessly unloved, and she began to hear the enemy speaking to her. "One night, before I went to work, the devil was in my ear telling me to kill myself by injecting potassium into my veins. I am a nurse, and at the time, I worked in a hospital. I had access to everything I needed. But, there was a still small voice that said, “Don’t do it.” I knew that was the voice of the Lord," recalled Jahmae. Although Jahmae managed to avoid the temptation to inject herself at work that night, she did spend the evening contemplating other ways to end her life.

Jahmae in her car. (Click to enlarge)The following day, she heard the enemy give her detailed instructions to end her life by hanging. He told her to drink two bottles of wine to numb herself, write a suicide letter explaining to everyone how she felt, and then she was instructed to take a sheet and hang herself. Jahmae's state of mind allowed her to follow through with most of the plan, and then, after hanging for two minutes, she heard God's still small voice again, as He said, "Get down."

Later the same day, the enemy approached Jahmae one final time, instructing her to jump from a cliff in a nearby park. After she went to the park to jump, her sister stopped by Jahmae's house to look for her because Jahmae wouldn't answer her phone. Her sister found the suicide note and called the police. As Jahmae stood at the edge of the cliff, looking down at how far she would fall, that still small voice said, “Don’t do it. You are loved." The police found her a short time later and admitted her to a local hospital. The Lord's persistent whisper had prevailed again.

Jahmae and Sean Hardnick, the man who introduced her to Andrew's teaching. The two now lead a small Bible study and share Andrew's Discipleship Evangelism as the main source for their studies. (Click to enlarge)After her third battle with the devil in the park, the Lord used a need in Jahmae's life to lead her to a man who helped her find healing. One of the many needs in Jahmae's life was that of a new car. She had been looking for a vehicle for more than a month, but was unable to secure an affordable payment. As she continued to look for a viable option, a friend suggested Jahmae shop at a dealer she hadn't previously considered. Though based on experience, she was pessimistic; Jahmae gave the dealer a try.

At the new dealership, Jahmae met a salesman named Sean. As the two went for a test drive, they discussed the vehicle's options and talked casually. The conversation then shifted, and Sean began to tell Jahmae things the Lord was showing him about her. "These were things that I never told anyone. I knew that what he was telling me was revealed to him by God," said Jahmae. Sean later shared that the Lord had showed him that despite her outward appearance, she was hurting inside.Not only is Jahmae healed, but she is using her platform as a nurse to minister to others, and she is taking CBC classes online. Here Jahmae stands with Sean and the people in their study group, Tish, Cheryl and Dave.
(Click to enlarge)

After Jahmae purchased the car, Sean told her about Andrew. According to Jahmae, Sean said, “There is this man that I study with every morning, Andrew Wommack; he has a healing DVD that I would like you to look at." Sean gave her Andrew's Healing Journeys Volume I. In the days that followed, Sean stayed in contact with Jahmae, and he continued to ask her if she had watched the DVD. Finally, a little more than a week later Jahmae took the time to sit and view the testimonies.

Almost instantly Jahmae received her healing; she did not even make it to the testimonial segments of the DVD! "On Friday April 13, 2012, I watched the Healing Journeys DVD. There was no particular testimony that caught my attention. When the DVD first came on, Andrew gave an introduction. He gave the Scripture of 1 Peter 2:24, and he said, 'You were healed by the stripes of Jesus.' Past tense, already done. He said, the people on the DVD were healed miraculously, and all they did was believe that Jesus already healed them. He went on and said you can experience the same healing if you just believe. I simply believed and received my healing. It was Andrew, simply sharing this [his introduction] that the Lord used to heal me," Jahmae said plainly.

Jahmae felt a special joy rise up on the inside of her. She said, "It was like all the darkness was taken away. Everything that was weighing me down was lifted from me. I begin to have hope, and I immediately started to smile. I kept saying, “I am healed! I am healed! Thank You Jesus! It is not God’s will for me to be depressed. God loves me!”

From that moment forward Jahmae knew, without a doubt, she was totally free. She dumped her medications and canceled her future doctor appointments. Jahmae remembers calling her therapist to cancel her next appointment, and the doctor discouraging her from discontinuing her services for fear of a relapse and another attempt at suicide. The doctor encouraged her to have an exit interview, and Jahmae simply said, "No, God healed me."

In this video, filmed on site at The Sanctuary, Andrew brings viewers an update on the construction progress at Charis Bible College's new campus in Woodland Park. While much of the content in previous updates has featured the excavation and ground preparation for the first building, this video brings viewers an all new perspective as the Barn's exterior begins to take shape. Crews have completed the installation of the pre-cast sections of the South-facing wall, enclosing all four sides of the building. With the walls erected, steel workers have begun placing 300 tons of interior steel framing. Significant progress can be seen since Andrew's last update.

Crews begin to place the pre-cast walls on the southern side of the Barn. (Click to enlarge) Each section of pre-cast wall is maneuvered into place using a huge crane. (Click to enlarge)

Sections of the gabled end stand supported as the the walls are secured. (Click to enlarge) With the walls in place crews begin to lay the steelwork. (Click to enlarge)

Some of the 300 tons of steel waiting to be placed. (Click to enlarge) A bird's-eye view as the steel I-beam is lifted into place. (Click to enlarge)

Crews guide the steel into place by hand.
(Click to enlarge) Andrew observes as crews work to enclose the basement. (Click to enlarge)

The chimney crew works high above the ground on scaffolding. (Click to enlarge) In the video Andrew describes the height of the chimney. (Click to enlarge)

This update was filmed on February 5th, to view the most recent video update visit the Sanctuary Construction Update page on the ministry's main website.

CBC-Colorado graduates, Tommy and Kleist Rhodes, the Directors of CBC's new extension school in Raleigh/Durham, North Carolina. (Click to enlarge)Four decades ago, Kleist Wideman, a young television reporter fresh out of college, was introduced to Tommy Rhodes when she interviewed him after his re-election to the North Carolina General Assembly. Their first meeting made lasting impressions on both of them, and the young couple married a year-and-half later. In Kleist's words about their meeting, "It was Tommy's first encounter with a, wild-eyed-tongue-talking-on-fire-for-Jesus girl."

As the two got to know each other, Tommy, who was well educated and mild-mannered, had his Southern Baptist theology rocked by Kleist's spirit-filled ways. His introduction to the Holy Spirit was counter to what he was taught during his upbringing, but he eventually realized he wanted all that God had provided for him, and he embraced the doctrinal differences. Looking back now, The entrance to CBC-Raleigh/Durham's facilities at 2414 Wycliff Rd in Raleigh. (Click to enlarge)as a spirit-filled believer, Tommy wonders how he ever got along without the Holy Ghost.

Over the years, Tommy and Kleist led a happy, stable life. They raised their family and both enjoyed successful careers; Tommy as the Executive Vice President at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh and Kleist worked in real estate. In 2003, the two were introduced to Andrew's ministry when a friend gave Kleist Andrew's teaching, You've Already Got It. The teaching CD came at a time when Kleist was questioning God, asking if He had more for her life. Her fire for the Lord had been reduced to a smolder over the years, and she felt as though something was missing. You've Already Got It was an answer to her prayers and reignited her passion for Jesus. The Rhodes family...Tommy and Kleist stand with their son Brandon, who also attended CBC-Colorado.
(Click to enlarge)Kleist shared the teaching with Tommy, and the two began to listen to Andrew regularly. It was through their listening that they became aware of Andrew's school in Colorado. As they neared retirement the two were looking to shake things up a bit, and enrollment at Charis Bible College in Colorado Springs seemed like just the thing.

Five years passed, and after attending several Gospel Truth Seminars and a Summer Family Bible Conference, the two began to give serious consideration to attending CBC. In 2008, after Tommy retired from his position with the community college in Raleigh, the Rhodes attended another Summer Family Bible Conference in the Springs. This was the trip that sealed the deal—they decided to apply. Within six weeks the Rhodes had relocated to Colorado. Tommy said, Tommy, Kleist and Brandon during their graduation ceremony in 2010.
(Click to enlarge)"Kleist and I had discussed attending Charis Bible College on many occasions, but she was more excited about it than I was at that point in my life. But when we got to the conference and I heard the instructors teach, I too became excited about the possibility of attending. I knew that Andrew had put together a world class of Bible teachers, and I did not want to miss the opportunity to learn as much as I could from them. Before we left the conference, we had both filled out applications. I knew that God wanted me to complete the training and then to open an extension school."

Going to CBC and sitting under the Word for three years solidified Kleist's understanding and made her resolute in living the rest of her life being led by the Holy Spirit. "I have known, since I The Rhodes stand with guest speakers, Mickey and Suzan Cartagena (back row center) and a classroom full of first-year students. (Click to enlarge)was a small child, that God had called me to walk with Him and preach His Word; it just took me a long journey to finally settle into His plan," said Kleist. "Tommy and I both love to teach and have had many Bible Studies in our home over the years, but we both felt that a school would be the best way to prepare people to follow after God’s calling. I was blessed with a great foundation in the Word during my last year in college (East Carolina University) as a member of my house church, and I had always wanted to share that foundational training with others. Charis has given me the way to complete this desire that has been in my heart for years. We left North Carolina with the purpose of returning and starting a school for our community. It has been wonderful to see this long time dream come to fruition," Kleist shared.The Rhodes. (Click to enlarge)

The Rhodes graduated from CBC in 2010, and completed their third-year internship in 2011. Today they are the Directors of CBC's Raleigh/Durham extension school in North Carolina. They currently have more than twenty students enrolled and several more interested in attending. The Rhodes have already had to expand the size of their classrooms and they are exploring the addition of more space to accommodate the continued interest.

The Rhodes' long-term goals for the school include expanding the CBC curriculum to meet the needs of a culturally diverse area. They have plans in motion to facilitate a Spanish-speaking program in the fall of 2013, and they also want to reach the area's large Asian population. Raleigh was a destination for the Montagnard people at the end of the Vietnam War, and it is desire of one of the Rhodes' current students, Jet Rmah, to minister to that specific demographic.

CBC-Raleigh Durham's newly renovated offices. (Click to enlarge)"To see the excitement in our students every day as they hear the balance of the grace and faith message, and to see how the Word is changing them, has truly been one of the greatest blessings of my life. I have told everyone who has inquired but just can’t seem to decide, to just fill out the application and see what God will do. That is what happened to us; once we made that initial step of faith, God did everything we needed to move us forward into His plan for our lives," said Kleist with that wild-eyed-on-fire-for-Jesus look in her eye.

For more information about Tommy and Kleist and their vision for CBC visit CBC-Raleigh/Durham online.

CBC-Colorado graduate and full-time missionary to St. Thomas, Georgette Person. (Click to enlarge)Illinois native, Georgette Person, knew early in the 2000's she was to attend Charis Bible College in Colorado. Unfortunately, the complications of everyday life prevented her from pursuing an immediate move to Colorado Springs. After six somewhat turbulent years, Georgette finally made it to CBC, where she graduated as part of the Class of 2010. Today Georgette is thriving as she serves the Lord as a missionary on the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean.

Georgette was introduced to Andrew's teaching in 2001 by her friend and discipleship mentor, Laverne Shipp. After a Sunday church service, Laverne invited Georgette to come to her home the following Monday morning. "Laverne said religion was killing the church, and that I needed a good teacher that would teach me truth. Laverne also that she was going to introduce me to someone who would do just that. I had never felt so privileged and cared for," recalled Georgette with a smile.

Georgette and Kelvin Williams, the first of many divine appointments. Aside from being Georgette's taxi driver, Kelvin is the Assistant Warden in the local prison system and his brother is an elder in a local church; this connection opened all sorts of ministry doors. (Click to enlarge)Monday morning Georgette showed up at Laverne's at 7:30 sharp. The two women worshiped and praised the Lord together, and Georgette waited expectantly for her new teacher to show up at the door. "Instead, Laverne went to the television at 8 a.m., and turned it on just as a man appeared saying, 'Hi, my name is Andrew Wommack and welcome to The Gospel Truth.' After his introduction, she told me, 'Baby, listen to this man, he knows the truth. He's a good teacher... Let him teach you from now on,'" Georgette said, remembering her surprise.

As Georgette watched the Gospel Truth, she found freedom in Andrew's messages. She also began to listen to his teachings online. In 2002, during Andrew's Gospel Truth series, Taking the Limits Off God, Georgette heard Andrew discuss his perspective on having a Bible college. "Andrew said, he didn't want the school to make a bunch of little Andrew's; he wanted the school so that Georgette's connection with Kelvin opened up the opportunity for prison ministry. Here she is in front of the men's prison where she ministers. (Click to enlarge)students could go farther than him in the world. That word farther was the seed that went into her heart. Georgette remembered standing up involuntarily, and declaring that she was going to go to CBC. And at that time, there was only one—in Colorado Springs," recalled Georgette.

Georgette continued to watch and listen to Andrew for several years before realizing that a CBC extension school had opened in the Chicago area. At first this appeared to be a blessing considering Georgette was engaged to be married. But, after a discussion with her fiancé about attending the local campus and agreeing to stay, something stirred in Georgette, and she knew she was still to go to school in Colorado. When Georgette expressed her desire to study in Colorado, her fiancé was unable to Georgette in front of the women's correctional facility. Between the two prisons, she is able to minister four days a week, 2 hours per day.
(Click to enlarge)understand, and he broke off their engagement.

Georgette finally enrolled in first-year classes at CBC-Colorado in November 2008. As she studied, she also worked for the ministry in the Production Department. In the spring of 2009, Georgette heard the Lord instruct her to begin to revolve her life around ministering. She began to lead Bible and discipleship studies from her home, joined the prayer team at her church and took every opportunity to minister the Good News.

In an effort to bring all aspects of her life in line with ministry, Georgette also changed jobs and departments within AWM and began to work in the Phone Center, first as a customer care representative then as a prayer minister. Strangely, for her first six months on the Within the first four days of being in St. Thomas, Georgette also met the man who owns the local radio station...
(Click to enlarge)phones, the majority of her calls were from people in the Caribbean, and no one else was fielding calls from the region. Georgette enjoyed the interaction with the Caribbean people and they were receptive to her ministry.

During one particularly impactful time of ministry, Georgette and her caller wound up teary-eyed and joy-filled. Georgette felt refreshed. The caller exclaimed, "Do you go to Andrew's School? Can you come here? We need Andrew here!" Georgette wasn't even sure what island they were calling from, but she knew the Lord was stirring her to minister to the people of the Caribbean. After that exchange, Georgette's calls from the Caribbean suddenly stopped.Georgette's radio connection, Mr. Browne. (Click to enlarge)

Eight months later, Georgette again received a call from a couple of women in the Caribbean. After the call Georgette had a peaceful feeling. She said, "I blessed them for their faith, and right then, I was reminded of how believing the Caribbean people were. I was experiencing that same refreshing feeling as before. The women received my blessing as we were closing the call and then said, 'By the way, these are your sisters from St. Thomas.'" At that moment, Georgette knew that was the island the Lord wanted her to go to!"

Georgette graduated from CBC's two-year program in 2010 and stayed for a third year to attend CBC's School of Ministry and a fourth year to complete the School of Business. When Georgette went to the radio station to speak with Mr. Browne, he invited her to join him on air—live! This was the beginning of her radio ministry. (Click to enlarge) Then in October of 2012, she packed her bags and headed to St. Thomas—the mission field the Lord had chosen for her. She moved forward in faith, without knowing a single person and without having made a single connection in St. Thomas prior to her departure.

Upon her arrival in the Caribbean, Georgette was greeted with God's unmerited favor. As she shared the story of why she came to St. Thomas, Georgette encountered one divine appointment after another. At the airport, she met a baggage handler, who secured a steeply discounted rate for her hotel room. Following that encounter, she met a friendly taxi driver, who connected her with the local church and the prison system, and from there the doors of opportunity began to open wide. Within her first month on the ground, Georgette was given a place to stay for free, toured the city in a taxi for free, officiated a funeral, was given a late model truck to drive, was allowed to minister in the prisons 2hours-per-day, four days-a-week, was invited to host a radio program and was given access to minister in the local junior high and high schools. Georgette's testimony is another story of destiny and God's provision, as a Charis Bible College graduate stepped into what the Lord had prepared in advance for her to accomplish.

CBC-Colorado students performing a Jesus-centered drama at a boys' prison in Belize. (Click to enlarge)In January, ten second-year students from Charis Bible College in Colorado journeyed to the Central American nation of Belize for a mission trip. The team, led by Charis instructors, Dan and Penny Funkhouser, was hosted by full-time missionaries, Craig and Tina Rumbley, the Co-Directors of the CBC-extension school in Belize. The Colorado team spent a week with the Rumbleys and their students ministering in local venues.

The Colorado team participated in door-to-door evangelism, ministered to children in an elementary school, visited a prison for teens and spent time ministering to patients in a local hospital. Student ministering live on the radio in Belize. (Click to enlarge)In addition, the team also enjoyed the opportunity to minister at the Bible school, and on a secular radio station.

CBC-Colorado student, Cindy Pearson, was right at home ministering in Belize, and based on the lives she was able to touch it would seem the Lord had ordered her steps. Cindy has spent the past two years as a CBC student, but for the ten-and-half years prior to her arrival in Colorado Springs, she lived and worked in China. On the ground in Belize, Cindy had more than one opportunity to minister to Chinese residents in the area.

For Cindy, one of the most touching moments Shop owner Li Lian and CBC student, Cindy Pearson. (Click to enlarge)of the trip was her encounter with a local shop owner, a Chinese woman named, Li Lian. When Cindy entered Li Lian's shop, which was located in a poor, crime-ridden neighborhood, she was surprised by the extensive security gates and iron bars protecting the goods in the shop; the only unguarded area was the immediate entry into the store. During Cindy's brief visit, Li Lian shared that her family had moved away, and she was all alone. Feeling compassion for the shop owner, Cindy told her that God loved her. Cindy could tell that her simple words had penetrated the woman's heart. She asked Li Lian how she felt, and Li Lian responded by saying no one had ever told her that before. After praying for Li Lian, Cindy said she CBC student, Rick McFarland, with Duncan, a new creation in Christ!
(Click to enlarge)wished she could hug her. In the blink of an eye, Li Lian grabbed the keys, unlocked the security bars and came out to give Cindy a big hug. Simply sharing a few words and an embrace with Li Lian let her know God's love for her was real.

During the team's last day of ministry in Belize, they split up into smaller groups and ministered in a nursing home and to patients in a hospital. Colorado student, Rick McFarland, led a person to the Lord in each place. At the nursing home, Rick and his small group of students ministered the gospel to an elderly man named, Duncan. After listening attentively to the gospel, Duncan said the he had never received Christ and chose to do it at that moment. Afterwards, when asked how he felt, Duncan said he Louisa's face before Jesus.
(Click to enlarge)felt "clean." When Rick's group visited the hospital, they talked with a young, teenage girl named, Louisa. As Louisa was waiting for surgery she, like Duncan before her, listened attentively as Rick shared the gospel. And, like Duncan, she received Jesus as her Savior. "As she was receiving Christ, her face lit up and a smile came to her face. We had two extremes that day; one elderly man, now ready to pass over to heaven, and another prepared for a lifelong ministry for the Lord. Louisa's face after receiving Jesus. (Click to enlarge)Praise God!" exclaimed Rick.

Who came away from these missionary experiences with more blessing, those being ministered to or the students doing the work of the ministry; it's hard to tell. One thing is for sure, God was honored and each person has a testimony to share for His glory.

Charis Bible College graduate, Wes Ray, making a difference in the Dominican Republic. (Click to enlarge)Whenever the topic of foreign missions came up when Wes Ray was just a boy, he would bristle and dismiss the conversation, declaring, "I'm not called to that." His comments would distance himself from the discussion, and he would go on about his business. This seemed to be an acceptable teenage declaration, as not everyone is called to serve in a foreign land. It remained acceptable until the Lord asked Wes with friend and fellow CBC graduate Abbie during commencement ceremonies at CBC in 2009. (Click to enlarge)Wes one simple question... Why are you limiting me?

"When I was 15, I heard the Lord ask me, 'Wes, why are you limiting me?'" Stunned by the question, and the realization he was somehow hindering God, Wes apologized to the Lord, and rethought his position on missions. A short time later, he traded the comfort of his family's home in California for a taste of life on the mission field in the Dominican Republic—a place he has now been visiting for a decade.

Wes had only been involved in church a short time, but it was there that he was introduced to Andrew's teaching. When the Lord got a hold of Wes he began to have an unquenchable desire to know Him more. Wes' desire prompted him to ask his pastor if there (Click to enlarge)were additional teachers he would recommend. His pastor told Wes about Andrew and gave him Andrew's teaching Sovereignty of God.

The teaching made an impact in Wes' life and he continued to listen to Andrew's material through high school. During that time, Wes deepened his involvement in the Dominican by continuing to work with an organization called Grace Covenant and DR Missions. Each summer, Wes spent several weeks on the ground in San Cristobal.

As high school drew to a close, and Wes explored his college options, he knew in his heart he would flourish Wes praying for a young woman in San Cristobal. (Click to enlarge)at Charis Bible College in Colorado. The time spent in preparation at CBC could only further his ministry to the people of the Dominican. So at 18, fresh out of high school, he enrolled in classes at CBC. His first summer out of high school was hectic. He had two weeks after his graduation to prepare for a six-week trip to the Dominican, and then he was home for three weeks before moving out on his own. Wes' transition to Colorado went smoothly, considering he moved to a new state, into an apartment he had never seen, to go to a school he had never visited. That summer was "a rollercoaster of excitement for sure," Wes shared.

From the look on his face... It may just be true that Wes was called to missions! (Click to enlarge)After graduating from CBC, Wes' perspective on the Bible, the natural realm and his relationship with God had all matured, and he began to walk with a confidence that could only be attributed to the revelation he gained while at Bible college. "My time at CBC gave me a love for the Word. I now see it [the Bible] as a love letter to me. And I now know, without a doubt, that God desires to have a passionate relationship with me; this allows me to be more confident in what God says to me," Wes said. Through his time at CBC, Wes was further prepared to be the minister the Lord called him to be. "I am equipped through the knowledge of Him [Jesus] to encourage and build up others," said Wes.

After several years serving short-term stints with DR Missions, Wes knows the time has come for the adventure to become full-time. While the organization's primary focus is ministry to the disadvantaged children in San Cristobal, Wes' efforts have been put toward relationship building with local pastors. He plans to continue his outreach to church leadership upon his return to the Dominican. "Right now Wes receives prayer from a young boy on the mission field. (Click to enlarge)it's just about getting to know the pastors more personally. We have been sharing our hearts with them and fanning the flame that God has placed in their heart through the message of His love," said Wes.

Wes said he's just a young man, keenly aware of the call on his life, and he's stepping out in faith knowing God will be with him, enabling him to do all that is required on the mission field in the Dominican Republic. His time at CBC has helped prepare him for the work ahead as he encourages the growth of God's kingdom in a foreign land.

For more information about Wes's call to missions, or to find out more about his work in the Dominican Republic, readers are welcome to contact him via email: wesraymissions@yahoo.com .

Anxiety disorders with names such as: Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and Emetophobia, which is the debilitating fear of vomiting, can be crippling, and all sound extremely unpleasant. To be diagnosed with any one of these disorders would indicate the severity of some form of trauma in one's life. But to be diagnosed with all of them, as Francesca was, would indicate that life had gone terribly wrong. Francesca had been struggling with these conditions for 27 years. Numerous medications, therapists, and every other kind of treatment available, all failed to help her overcome her vicious and obscenely abusive childhood. In fact, as Francesca Francesca spent her childhood unaware of true affection, and sustained constant physical and psychological abuse at the hands of those with whom she should have been safest. neared age 50, the trauma of her youth was compounded by the severe mistakes of her adult years, and she was getting progressively worse.

Recently Francesca stumbled upon Andrew's Gospel Truth program. At first she thought he was the most boring preacher on television, and she would change the channel when he would come on. "He wasn't the flashy, screaming, slapping-people-on-the-foreheads, selling-prayer-cloths-and-healing-water kind of guy. He just sat there and talked—like he was having a conversation with a friend in his living room," Francesca shared. Andrew's calm demeanor was too boring to keep her anxious mind interested for very long. Then, one morning, after a horrible night of not sleeping, struggling with panic attacks, flashbacks, and every other symptom that comes with PTSD, Francesca turned the TV on and there was Andrew teaching about hope. Hope—something Francesca had lost a As a child, Francesca misunderstood inappropriate contact as affection.long time ago. She had prayed to God for years to be healed, delivered, rescued and restored from the trauma she had suffered at the hands of those with whom she should have been safest. She begged, pleaded desperately and tried to make deals with God, all to no avail.

Something was different about that morning as she listened to Andrew. Suddenly, Francesca was filled with hope and she craved, in her own words, "literally, physically craved more of his teachings." She visited Andrew's website in search of more materials and was shocked and pleased to find all of his teachings downloadable and free. "I started downloading and listening day and night until I got so tired, I'd fall asleep listening," said Francesca.

After soaking in the revelation of Jesus found throughout Andrew's messages, Francesca decided to rededicate her life to Jesus. She called Andrew's Help Line and a prayer The trauma sustained during childhood, negatively affected Francesca's judgment as an adult. minister helped her receive Salvation. Since that day, Francesca has been devouring Andrew's teachings. "I have given up watching TV. I'm just not interested anymore and yet, before that, TV was my constant companion, the one thing that served as a distraction from my situation. Now, all I want to listen to is Andrew's teachings, and I have set my alarm for 7:20 a.m. every morning, so I can start my day by watching him on TV every weekday at 7:30 a.m., which is when The Gospel Truth airs here in Toronto," said Francesca enthusiastically.

What modern medicine and psychiatry couldn't do in 27 years, Andrew's Christ-centered teachings accomplished in a few short days. Francesca is now completely free of all PTSD-related symptoms and she says she has a peace that surpasses all understanding. "I was so mad at God for not answering my prayers, so much so that I had become suicidal. I didn't care if I went to hell because I was already living in hell here The crushing weight of her youth coupled with multiple abortions and two failed marriages left Francesca suicidal. on earth. I was also at a point where I was seriously considering turning to the devil for help because I saw "bad" people living wonderful, healthy, free lives, and I was a prisoner in my own body and God wasn't helping me. I wanted the pain to stop so badly that if it meant turning to the devil for help, I was going to do it," said Francesca.

Finally, after being tortured for 27 painful years, Francesca has been delivered from the spirit of debilitating fear, and all her other debilitating, physical and psychological, symptoms are gone as well. Francesca is excited about life now. She feels good, and she has hope. Francesca said, "It wasn't God who wasn't doing anything, it was me who was doing all the wrong things. Now that I have finally been healed, I have to rebuild a life from scratch because everything I had and worked hard After hearing Andrew teach about the Hope found in Jesus, Francesca found true freedom! The revelation of Jesus set her free from a lifetime of torture.for, this debilitating fear took away: My career, my finances, my house, my marriage, my peace, my joy...and almost my faith in God."

While Francesca rebuilds her life free from the torment of anxiety, she has new-found desires in her heart. Besides having the desire to acquire and complete CBC's correspondence program, Francesca has hope-filled dreams of one day becoming a counselor. She also wants to be able to give back to Andrew's ministry. While her current financial situation prevents her from giving as generously as she would like, she has found another way to be a blessing; she has offered her time as a volunteer at the ministry's offices in Toronto.

Francesca is grateful for Andrew's ministry and his teaching of the Gospel Truth. She said, "You may very well have saved my life because while I did not want to kill myself (I'm a mom and therefore don't have the luxury of suicide) it certainly was something that entered my mind on a daily basis. I would say to myself, 'If this gets to a point where I really can't handle any more, I can always kill myself to make the pain and the fear stop.' Well, the pain and fear have stopped—thanks to God and to Andrew."

Some of the CBC-Colorado mission team, including Kelsey Hamilton (far right) pause for a picture on the busy streets of Chennai, India. (Click to enlarge)In January, a team of staff and students from Charis Bible College in Colorado arrived in India to share the love of God with the Indian people. After a series of lengthy travel delays (22 hours worth) the second-year students, led by CBC Instructor, Dr. Delron Shirley, dove into ministry at the CBC extension school in Chennai. While the Colorado students were on foreign soil, they were welcomed by familiar faces; the directors of CBC-India, Lance and Gerri Weldgen, and the administrator, Jessica Klecker, are each recent CBC-Colorado graduates.

Over the course of the nine days they spent in India, the Colorado team had the opportunity to teach at the school, participate in a local community outreach, minister in churches and during The team stands in front of a promotional banner for a youth celebration. (Click to enlarge)open-air crusades, and they traveled to a gypsy village. They also visited a home for destitute women and an orphanage for HIV-positive children. At each of the two latter places, the student's close interaction with the residents gave the women and the children a taste of love, laughter, life, and in a way, the very nearness of God and His unconditional love.

For one student, Kelsey Hamilton, the journey to India was a dream come true. Before ever hearing about Andrew or CBC, Kelsey had a vivid dream in which she saw herself in the busy streets of India. She knew in her spirit that the dream was of God, and it was her call to the mission field.

CBC staff and students, including CBC-India Director, Lance Weldgen (left) and CBC-Colorado team leader, Dr. Delron Shirley (right).
(Click to enlarge)After learning about CBC, and moving to Colorado to attend, Kelsey found that one of the graduation requirements is the completion of a foreign mission trip. Although at the time, her trip was more than a year away, she immediately asked God where He wanted her to go. As she reviewed the destination options, she remembered the dream she had about India. She scanned the available trips with excitement, but her enthusiasm was dampened as she realized that there were no trips scheduled for India. Kelsey then heard the Lord tell her to call forth a trip to India. She spent the rest of her first year speaking forth her opportunity to minister in India. During her second year, when the time came for students to submit their choices for their preferred mission trip destinations, India had been added to the roster!

Kelsey Hamilton and Divia. Since the trip, Delron has had the opportunity to arrange for Kelsey to return to India this summer to teach English in the Northeastern part of the country!
(Click to enlarge)Throughout her times of prayer, calling forth India as her destination and praying for the people of India, Kelsey continued to have visions of things to come (John 16:13). One such vision included the image of a little Indian girl; when Kelsey saw the girl in her mind's eye, she wept.

During the team's actual visit to the gypsy village, Kelsey came face-to-face with the little girl she had seen in her vision. "Right when I saw her, I knew she was the one I had wept over. She was so dirty and her hair was matted, but she was so beautiful. When she saw me, she clung to me, so I held her the whole time. The one time I did have to put her down, I gave her to her mom, and she was crying and reaching for me; talk about breaking my heart. Her mom handed her back to me and asked, 'You take her to America with you?' I wanted to more than anybody knows. I asked what her name was and was told, 'Divia.' I looked it up and it means, 'Heavenly.' Meeting Divia changed my life," said Kelsey.

Kelsey knew before she went to India that God called her to go there, and now that she has visited, she continues to think about and pray for India and its beautiful people. "I long for the day that I can go back. On this trip I grew closer in my relationship with my heavenly Father and feel so privileged that He chose me and called me to India," said Kelsey.

A mission team from CBC-Colorado praying for people after a service in Costa Rica. (Click to enlarge)Recently a 30 person team of staff and second-year students from Charis Bible College in Colorado had the opportunity to minister in Central America. The team, led by CBC Missions Coordinator, Michelle Patterson, and intern leaders, Marcelo Duarte and Lori Lalonde, went to the nation of Costa Rica where they were hosted by Garden of Hope, a ministry founded by CBC-Colorado graduates Jim and Lynn McHood in Horquetas, Costa Rica.

CBC-Colorado's mission team on the ground in Costa Rica. (Click to enlarge)The McHoods provided the students with ample opportunity to put into practice the ministry training they have received at CBC. The team spent time evangelizing neighborhoods through door-to-door ministry; they taught in churches and schools and visited a local rehabilitation center. Each opportunity yielded measurable fruit.

For CBC student, Dalton Mixon, that measurable fruit came in the form of healing. After an evening outreach, which included a series of teachings and the sharing of student testimonies, Dalton had the opportunity to minister to a man who came forward for prayer. Although Dalton Mixon as Jesus during a skit performed at a rehab center.
(Click to enlarge)the two were hindered by a language barrier, Dalton understood by way of hand and facial gestures, that the man was suffering from severe back pain. It was Dalton's prayer that the man would feel a warmth come over his body as he laid his hands on him. Dalton hoped the warmth would overcome the language barrier and that the man would realize he was healed. When Dalton finished praying for the man, he invited an interpreter over to bridge the gap in communication. The interpreter told Dalton that the man said he had felt a warm sensation in his back and that he knew he was healed. The man also said that there was still a small pinch when Dalton praying with a young man.
(Click to enlarge)he bent over all the way. Dalton was unwilling to compromise; he expected a full healing. Dalton spoke again to the man's back, and the pinch and pain left immediately. Later one of the CBC intern leaders, Marcelo, who speaks fluent Spanish, followed up with the man and explained to him that it wasn’t Dalton who had healed him, but that it was God. Marcelo stressed this for the man's benefit, pointing out that tomorrow Dalton would be gone, but God would never leave him.

CBC student, Maria Seppälä, experienced the Lord as He led her to step out of the shadows and into the front lines of ministry.
(Click to enlarge)Another CBC student, Maria Seppälä, experienced the Lord in a different way, and her fruit manifested on a freeing internal level. As she prepared for the trip to Costa Rica, Maria realized that her primary expectation for the trip was to actively participate in the ministry opportunities presented to her on the mission field. Maria felt that she had been hiding behind her husband for some time, with the perspective that he was the one God was able to use, and that she was just along for the ride.

Once on the ground in Costa Rica, Maria stepped out of her husband's shadow and out of her comfort zone. On more than one occasion, Maria found that the Holy Spirit led her to It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance... The team's bus driver, Johnathan, was so impressed by what he saw in the team's witness that he gave his life to Christ. Here he is being baptized by Marcelo Duarte and Francis Ansah. (Click to enlarge)minister to groups of people that have always been on her heart, and she found that ministering in those situations was exciting. "I have felt that I am called to love and help parents in their parenting, to help young couples with their marriages, and I know that I want to see children growing in their personal relationship with their Lord and sharing the good news. During the mission trip I was excited as I realized that most of the ministry opportunities that I had, took place among these groups of people. I loved being in those situations and I felt that ministry was easy," Maria said excitedly.

As 2012 drew to a close, Andrew visited Uganda. While there, he made his usual stops in Kampala and the surrounding area, visiting the ministry's Ugandan headquarters and the Charis Bible College extension school. Andrew also toured a part of the country he had never seen before, traveling to one of the most remote and primitive villages in the nation. In this episode of The Inside Story, Andrew shares how the trip impacted him and takes viewers on a journey to the village he visited in the northeastern region of Uganda.

Wim (which means "The Flier") De Vlieghere spent more than two decades crippled by chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and religion.
(Click to enlarge)Wim De Vlieghere was just 15 years old when he was diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. The medical professionals in Belgium, Wim's homeland, said his ailments were incurable and they could not offer him the miracle he needed.

As the years passed after his diagnosis, Wim slid into a dire state of hopelessness. He said, in his Flemish accent, "I got really depressed. Life didn't make sense because it was hopeless. I became suicidal looking for a reason to live, looking for a reason to go on."

Although the weight of his sickness became a tremendous burden, Wim was initially able to use a variety of medication to make it manageable, and he was able to hold a job. The company for which he worked was managed by a Christian man who took a liking to Wim. His boss began sharing the gospel with him, and Wim was quick to receive Jesus as his Savior. He had found a reason to live.

Shortly after finding this new lease on life, religion quickly became an unwelcome source of strife. As Wim read his Bible, he realized that God heals the sick. This revelation was met with violent opposition from the religious people in his church. Their counter and errant doctrine pressured Wim to abandon what he had seen in Scripture. He said they did everything they could to talk him out of believing in healing. Eventually his unwillingness to let go of his revelation led to his expulsion from their church.

"At first it seemed that these people really believed in the full Gospel and all the works of God that go with it. But very soon they started to give me all sorts of reasons why I wasn't healed, like secret sins, or it wasn't God's time or that God wanted to teach me something through the sickness," Wim recalled.

Andrew listens to Wim as he joyfully shares a little of his testimony at a conference in the UK.
(Click to enlarge)Unfortunately, Wim spent the next 12 years bound by religious legalism, manipulation and intimidation from within the Church. Finally, he stopped attending church altogether. He continued to pursue the Lord and His healing through ministerial streams outside the Church—all the while his health continued to deteriorate.

Wim became so sick that at one time he spent five years confined to his bed. "I had no life. I was a prisoner of my bed," he said. Through all those years he clung to what he had seen in the Word and the belief that God could heal him.

In 2011, Wim met with a friend he had not seen in a decade. The two had a short conversation about Wim's health, during which the friend asked, "Do you know you are already healed through the stripes of Jesus Christ?" The question sparked a heated debate that ended with Wim extremely angry.

"I thought he was mocking me. I asked, 'How can you say that I am healed, when I am sick as a dog?' I threw all the religious mumbo-jumbo at him that I had learned in the 22 years I had been in church, and he killed every one of them with the Word of God—he slapped me in the face with the Truth," said Wim.Wim at a Gospel Truth Seminar in the UK in 2011. (Click to enlarge)

Though the conversation with his friend was unpleasant, something changed in Wim's heart. The truth of the Scriptures his friend had shared stirred in him. A short time later Wim's brother gave him a CD about healing. The disk included various minister's teachings, including one by Andrew. Wim listened to the CD for months and studied the Word until he realized that healing was, in fact, for today. Wim wanted more than ever to be healed.

Needing a change in his spiritual surroundings, Wim went to Germany to visit some friends. While he was with them, he had access to a computer and the internet, something he did not have at home. Immediately, Wim went to Andrew's website to see the man to whom he had been listening. Once on the site, he began to watch archived videos of Andrew's Gospel Truth Seminars. He watched God Wants You Well and was energized. Then he watched You've Already Got It and the teachings pushed his energy and expectancy for healing into another gear.

Wim shares a teaching on his youtube channel. (Click to enlarge)"All of a sudden I realized that God had already healed me 2000 years ago...I had to stand up and take the power and authority He had invested in me and command these things to get out of my body," Wim said excitedly.

As Wim finished watching the You've Already Got It series, he stood in agreement with Andrew's prayer for healing at the end of the final session. He didn't feel anything, but believed in his heart that something had happened. Wim recalled that Andrew had said when a person has had a sickness like Wim's (one that had been around for a long time) that the person should attempt to do something they were previously unable to do. Wim decided to go out to dinner. As Wim ate, he prayed in the Spirit, and he had an overwhelming desire to go running—not something someone with chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia is likely to desire. In his mind he wondered if he was goingcrazy, but the desire to run intensified.

After dinner Wim went for a run. He said, "As soon as I started running, I prayed in tongues and there was an explosion of power on the inside. I started racing! I raced all the way up to the bridge on the other side of the city and back (2.5 miles) at high speed, shouting, 'Halleluja, I am healed!'"

When he went back to his friend's house, he declared that he would not be sick another day, and he promptly took his shoebox full of pills and threw them in the garbage. More than a year has passed since Wim received his healing, and he hasn't taken another pill. In fact, he left sickness behind and has gone into ministry sharing the truth of the Gospel with all who will listen.