Outreach in Heart of UK "Brings City to a Standstill"

Dee Pfeiffer : Sep 23, 2010
ASSIST News

"I was robbed of 28 years of my life," she said, "But after constant prayers for healing, I can now walk, jump and dance. I feel half my age. The Lord has given so much more back than what has been taken."

(Leicester, UK)—Residents of and visitors to Leicester were told to "come just as you are" on Saturday, September 18, 2010, as the Jesus Loves Leicestershire (JLL) team hosted its fourth annual "Fire And Glory" event in the Leicester city centre.

And come they did, as thousands of shoppers and onlookers flocked to the huge stage at Humberstone Gate, one of the main shopping streets in Leicester, to witness one of the city's biggest annual Christian outreach events.

Led by Resonance and The Lighthouse Choir, praise groups, singers, rappers and evangelists took to the stage for a successful day of worship, praise and thanksgiving.

Backed by The Oaks of Leicester Gospel choir, talented local singer Hannah Johnson's Christian rendition of "Hallelujah", made famous by Alexandra Burke, brought the city to a standstill. "I'm reclaiming the song for Jesus!" she shouted to a wealth of enthusiastic cheers.

Local resident Maria Moseley, 62, from Leicester Christian Fellowship, spoke of how she had been healed of osteoarthritis after spending 28 years in a wheelchair, in excruciating pain.

She joined Leicester Christian Fellowship in January 2007 and was baptized two months later, at which point she gave her life to Jesus. She was still on crutches at that time. By August 2007 she was totally healed.

"I was robbed of 28 years of my life," she said, "But after constant prayers for healing, I can now walk, jump and dance. I feel half my age. The Lord has given so much more back than what has been taken."

And another local resident spoke passionately of how she had been completely healed of cancer. Mindy Patel, 50, had level 5 breast cancer, and doctors said that she wouldn't survive.

"If the operations don't kill you, the chemo might well do," doctors had said, yet four operations and six sessions of chemotherapy later, she took to the stage to tell the spellbound audience that thanks to God, she has been cancer free for over two years. "No side effects, no sickness, I took no medication other than pain killers and steroids throughout, yet God has healed me, and He can heal you!" she proclaimed.

By mid afternoon, children flocked to the front of the stage to watch the Aching Arms puppet show, which always brings a smile to the faces of children and adults alike through its usage of popular secular songs, transformed by the puppets into meaningful and catchy Christian tunes. And children's dance groups ensured that the event continued to keep youngsters occupied throughout the day.

Healing rooms, a ministry tent and a prayer gazebo were situated close to the stage for those who needed spiritual support, guidance or personal prayer. And for those who preferred to approach someone in more familiar territory, the Jesus Loves Leicestershire Ministry Team were on hand all day, identifiable in the crowds by their t-shirts emblazoned with the words "Come Just As You Are" on the back.