Q: After suffering a cardiac arrest in November 2019, so much has happened in your life. Give us an update on where your health stands today.
A: I have recovered 100%. I have no brain damage at all. I have total kidney function. The prognosis was dialysis for the rest of my life. My bladder is healed. My chest is still healing, where the bones were broken during my resuscitation. My overall prognosis is for a full recovery.
Q: During the recent battle for your life, you describe seeing a supernatural waiting room. Can you explain the experience?
A: The Lord showed me in a supernatural dream that I was placed in a room of death. It was pitch black. At first, I didn’t know I was in a room of death, and God had to explain it to me later in the dream. In the room, I had no pain. I knew there were other people in the room. I saw a person in the light around the trim of a door walking back and forth. I could also see there was light on the other side of the door and I could hear a riot. At first, it didn’t make sense, but I could hear people praying in unison. I could hear things like, “It’s not his time to die; God is not through with him. Death, take your hands off him”. They were commanding death to let me go and it had no choice but to throw me out. Just as Lazarus was in a tomb and Jesus called him out of death, I was called out. Death is different than dying. Death is a spirit; it destroys marriages; it destroys people through addiction. So the Spirit of death is something we can contend with. We can pray with authority. People of authority in Christ are the ones who commanded death to let me go, and the resurrection spirit in me brought me out of death.
Q: Describe the role your family has played in your recovery.
A: My wife is a prayer warrior. She stood in agreement with my family to contend in prayer for my life. We raised our kids, knowing how to pray and knowing their authority in Christ. All of my immediate family are in ministry. They all supported me during my recovery while balancing their families and individual responsibilities. I encourage people to raise their children knowing how to react in times of warfare.
Q: Throughout your journey, you’ve faced several health challenges, including a heart attack, the loss of your sister to cancer, and your daughter’s rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. How do you continue trusting in God’s healing promises in spite of your circumstances?
A: My sister passed away at the age of 33 to ovarian cancer. I remember going to God with all the why questions. I remember going into my prayer closet just broken. I remember God lovingly holding me in that closet and allowing me to speak what was on my mind. I said everything I could think of and didn’t hold anything back. When I was finished, I realized I had been distancing myself from Him. I knew He still loved me and that I wasn’t fully going to understand on this side of Heaven. I know it will all make sense one day. God’s ways are higher than mine, and these types of answers go beyond my limited comprehension here on earth. I have God’s assurance to keep praying for people, to keep believing in miracles, and to continue asking for miracles. I no longer feel the need to question Him.
Q: This month, you’re releasing your latest book, “Why Am I Not Healed?” What can readers expect as they turn the pages?
A: They can expect answers, receive hope, and learn new ways to pray. They will read about areas in their own lives that could be hindering their healing. I also speak to those who are still walking in sickness, pain, and suffering. I give understanding to those expecting a miracle and a healing. I know this book can relieve a lot of anxiety that people have for their sick loved ones.
Q: There’s a lot of confusion and debate concerning God’s will when it comes to healing. How can this book bring clarity to that conversation?
A: I’ve walked through this myself, I’m not looking at it from the outside. I’ve dug into the Scriptures, stories in the Bible, and my own family when it came to answering this question. I have personally encountered healings, miracles, and non-miracles. I’ve walked through these things and have helped many people walk through it too.
Q: In the book, you also point out hindrances to our prayers for healing. Share a few of those and how they can stop God’s power from flowing freely.
A: There are a lot of different areas I speak about in the book. For example, Scripture says, “My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge.” This could be a lack of the truth, a lack of the Word, a lack of faith. Someone may also have unforgiveness in their life.
Q: How has your perspective on life changed since coming so close to death?
A: I don’t know if it’s changed much. I’ve always been ready to go see the Lord. I do believe now more than ever that God want signs and wonders, healings and miracles to come back to the church. What happened to me is a clear example that God is still in the miracles business.
Q: As senior pastor of The House in Modesto, California, your church continues to thrive. How has your victory over heart disease strengthened the growing community of faith you lead each day?
A: So many people, not just those in my church, but around the world, commented that because of what happened to me, they were brought back to faith or found Jesus for the first time. People all over the world were praying for me, they followed my story on social media, and many commented that it brought their prayer life back. There is a new level of belief and a new level of believing for the miraculous.
Q: What encouragement would you give those currently facing a health crisis in their lives or in the life of a loved one?
A: I would encourage them never to give up, never quit believing. Grab hold of the Scriptures and keep quoting them. Hold God’s hand, and if you know someone facing a health crisis, you hold their hand. You can be the conduit between them and God. People in a health crisis need their family and friends to pray for them. They need strong people of authority surrounding them.
Q: What are some practical ways the Body of Christ can unite to take a more active role in extending God’s love and healing power to others?
A: We need to make sure we have a time of corporate prayer together often. The Body of Christ needs to be equipped and trained. We need people with strong faith and knowledge of Scripture. Our churches are a spiritual hospital that can lead people to the Heavenly Father who can heal them.
Q: As you look to the future of your ministry, what are your hopes and dreams as Jesus’ return draws closer?
A: I’m believing what God does in our homes, churches, and ministries He will do even greater works outside. I’m believing for the unbelievers to become amazed and start following Jesus. I see the church taking the gospels outside and the book of Acts coming alive.