Collins offers Jesus, healing during homecoming revival

Janet Morales

Healing was offered to Moberly Saturday night and hundreds came out to accept it.

The Jesus Homecoming Revival was filled with song, prayer, preaching and literal hands-on ministry. Community members from churches across the community turned out to take part in the Homecoming Choir led by Dr. Tarry Koutz, best known for his musical productions at Central Christian College of the Bible. Area pastors offered up prayers. The area group, His Friends performed a musical selection. Two male quartets, “A Work In Progress” and the Branson group “Greater Is He Quartet” performed and led the “congregation” in some traditional hymns. Judy and Don Eddington, Springfield, also performed two duets. The worship band, comprised of area musicians, provided the music.

The featured speaker was Dr. Paul Collins, Springfield, founder of Acts Ministry and formerly of Moberly. He started his 55-year preaching career at West Park United Methodist Church at the age of 19, and began his sermon with “I remember when….”

Collins said he remembers when church was the center of the neighborhood. He remembered when people were encouraged to use their gifts, Sunday school teachers were the unsung heroes and the pastor was an important part of life.

He said in order to live a “supernatural life in a natural world” we need to believe three things that Jesus Christ can do for us: He can save us, He can heal us and He can deliver us.

Healing – our souls, our bodies and our minds.

Collins said many people like to go to church and hear nice things about how good we are. But we need to know that we have sinned so we can be saved.

Collins told the story of Zaccheus, the small tax collector, who climbed a sycamore tree to get a better view of Jesus as He passed through.

“His heart longed to see this teacher bringing a promising, wonderful message,” said Collins. “From His place in glory He sees everyone. He knows us intimately. … Today salvation has come to this house. The Holy Spirit is not just an influence in this place, He is here walking the aisles!”

Collins explained he has worked with, and continues his involvement in a healing ministry. He said he has seen people healed following a healing service.

“I don’t know why some have the miracle and some don’t,” said Collins. “That’s in the wisdom of God. But it’s good to remember because some do. Others have had it and maybe you will, too. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. What He did 2,000 years ago, He can do today and is, somewhere.

In his third point, Collins pointed out that there are burdens that we all carry that are difficult to share with others. But we must know that we are not alone in our troubles.

“Jesus already knows and He’s in the delivering business,” said Collins.

Collins told the story of Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life after Lazarus had been dead for four days.

“This is not a show,” said Collins, “It’s life or death! If Jesus can do that, then your problem is pretty small. We not only need to get saved, we need to let loose and let go.”

Collins reminded the audience that there is an alternative place for those who do not accept Jesus.

“Hell, it’s still there. Although it’s full of people with a lot of trouble, there’s been no recall,” he said. “But it is easy to believe in resurrection. My Jesus can do anything!”

Collins and others in the Acts Ministry, carry out the Great Commission through “transdenominational” worship services with a mission: Unity, In Christ, through the Holy Spirit.