Skip to Main Navigation

The Buffalo News

Web Search
by YAHOO! SEARCH

Prayer team moves to new church site

Published:July 5, 2009, 7:22 AM

Font Size:
  • E-mail
  • Share
  • Print

Updated: August 21, 2010, 12:24 AM

NIAGARA FALLS — A ministry team that offers weekly prayer for the emotionally, spiritually and physically sick has moved to St. James United Methodist Church on Porter Road.

Healing Rooms of Buffalo- Niagara now offers prayer from 7 to 9 p. m. every Monday.

“People are hurting all over,” said Debbie Bolents, a volunteer prayer intercessor. “The ills of society don’t discriminate. People and families are hurting.”

Based in Buffalo, the interdenominational ministry team previously operated from locations on Third Street in Niagara Falls and at the Wheatfield Community Church in the Summit Mall.

“It’s a Christian ministry that prays for anybody’s needs, regardless of what they are,” said Pastor Don Schiemant, director of the Healing Rooms of Buffalo-Niagara. “We ask for nothing.

“God meets all our needs every month. It’s been the greatest adventure of my life.”

The group operates under the International Association of Healing Rooms Ministries based in Spokane, Wash.

Bolents, a trained Healing Rooms volunteer since 2006, said about six to 10 volunteers meet on Monday nights in St. James United Methodist Church. People who come to receive prayer are taken into a small, quiet room with two or three volunteers who pray over them. Another group of volunteers prays simultaneously in a separate room.

“We’ve prayed for people who’ve lost their jobs, who are struggling financially, who are physically impaired, who are emotionally suffering,” Bolents said. “It’s very difficult to cope today with what’s going on in everyday living.”

There is no fee for the ministry and appointments are not necessary. Volunteers keep details about who is prayed for or ministered to confidential, Bolents said.

“Do all get healed? No,” concedes Schiemant, a graduate of Elim Bible Institute and ordained through Full Gospel Assemblies International. “But many do. Jesus is the healer, and his desire is to work through believers. It only takes faith and a willingness to believe. Yes, the impossible still happens today.”

A printing-equipment entrepreneur by trade, Schiemant was originally inspired by Rev. David Rich, of the Rich Products family, to consider a Healing Room vocation.

Assisted by his wife, Carol, and scores of “prayer warriors,” Schiemant says their “ministry is full-time with no pay. We believe the Lord has called us to do this.”

The ministry has strengthened Bolents’ belief in the power of prayer.

She said clients who come in for prayer are asked to write down their concerns on a piece of paper. The prayer sessions, she said, oftentimes help them discover a deeper, root cause.

“God wants people whole,” Bolents said. “He wants them whole, spiritually, physically, emotionally, financially. He doesn’t want them to have any deficiencies, any diseases.”

For more information about Healing Rooms, call 844-0048.

Comments

There are no comments on this story.

The Feed / What’s Happening Now

Latest Updates
Most Commented
Most Viewed
City & Region

What to do with an empty hospital?

Jerry Sullivan

Hall vote deepest cut for Reed

City & Region

Catholic institutions here cover birth control

Sabres & NHL

Sabres offense on a mini hot streak

City & Region

'Biggest Loser' creates a big win

East Side

Police raids target massive drug ring

Courts

Man who drove into Amherst fire hall over summer arraigned

Student illnesses in Le Roy

Answers to the many questions in Le Roy

East Side

Man killed in attempted robbery on Deerfield Street

City of Buffalo

Judge rules against unions in latest wage freeze fight

Newsroom Tips

Have a news tip you think The Buffalo News should investigate?

Call The News tip line at 849-4475 or email us at investigations@buffnews.com.

All calls and emails will be kept confidential.

Buffalo Marketplace

Marketplace videos

Watch the latest offers, products and services from our advertisers.

Browse our print ads

It's the ultimate advantage for Buffalo consumers. Never miss another ad again!

Buffalo Savers: coupons

Buffalo coupons at your fingertips.
Just click and print. It's Easy!

close

Browse our print adsclose

Special Sections

Buffalo Saversclose

Local coupons

Featured coupon

Latest Blogs

Prep Talk

Friday Night Live: McKinley at East and your #preptalkscores

Gusto

Midnight movies: New film series at the Market Arcade

SulliView

A poignant 'Arab Spring' image is the World Press photo of the year

BillBoard

Gronkowski undergoes ankle surgery

Campus Watch

UB to play at Ohio State in 2013