Here is the story of how The Reverend Mike Endicott, with others, was led to begin seeking out, training and encouraging those called to the healing ministry of the Church. This was the beginning of what was to become an international work.
An immense blessing...Mike Endicott is a blind Anglican clergyman, whose ministry of Christian healing is becoming increasingly well known. In his foreword, the Anglican Archbishop of Wales, Dr Rowan Williams, writes:
'Mike Endicott's ministry has been an immense blessing to the family of God in south-east Wales.... Mike has emerged as one of the outstanding teachers of the Church here, and any reader will at once see why. He is entirely honest about his feelings and struggles; entirely realistic, and often very funny, in his assessment of our dim human capacities; entirely focused on the goodness of God....'
That focus on the goodness of God is vital for any Christian ministry, not least the ministry of healing, and we find it here in abundance, to help, cheer and encourage us all. The author grapples with the problem of suffering, with an immediacy that flows from his own experience of gradually losing his sight. We are invited to reflect again on the biblical story of Job, and the profound lessons it has for us.
We are taken on a personal journey which turns out to be much more than autobiography. As the story unfolds, we learn some lessons that are of very wide application. We read of happy early years, and then the growing awareness of a developing form of disability, which closes off so many things which those of us who are sighted are tempted to take for granted.
Astonishingly, we learn that Mike successfully established himself in a career that was one of the hardest for a person with visual impairment: computer systems management. How he was moved by God from that job to being an Anglican clergyman running a Centre for Christian healing ministry and teaching (The Well Centre, Cwmbran), and to be Leader of the Order of Jacob's Well, is an inspiring and fascinating story, most engagingly written.
An essential lesson we learn from HEALING AT THE WELL is that disability is neither a hindrance to a close walk with the Lord, nor a barrier to effective healing ministry. Even if we have not been physically healed, we can still be a blessing to others. The great reward is to be doing the works of Jesus, in fellowship with him.
We are reminded, once again, of the way in which unforgiveness can be a real spiritual barrier, that can be broken down by repentance before God, so opening up wonderful new possibilities. We are shown how this actually worked in Mike's experience, when some earlier unhappy experiences were dealt with; the root cause was brought to the surface; and the ministry, to which God had called Mike, then began to gain new impetus.
Already accounts are coming in of people who have been deeply moved by it, even to the point of those tears which are sometimes God's way of opening up our hearts to divine compassion and a fresh move of His Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Readers have made comments like: 'I didn't know it was alright to feel like that'; and, 'That's my experience, too..'
Finally, we are introduced to the work of The Well Centre, which has become a place of Christian healing for many, many people, since its inauguration in 1994. Its work has given birth to an order of Christian healing (The Order of Jacob's Well), providing good, solid teaching courses, to help others be released into healing ministries, with proper oversight and recognition by the churches.
Some may ask whether we need another ministry; another organisation. But that would be to miss the point entirely. The real question to ask of any Christian work is whether it is of God; whether it bears the signs of being the fruit of a real, God-given, vision; and is operating in faithful obedience to Him. The need of the world around us, and of countless suffering people, many of whom have no knowledge of God's love, is just so vast that we need much more anointed ministry! To be in the flow of His activity is the key to effectiveness for Him, and we must rejoice that a new Centre dedicated to healing ministry is being manifestly used to bring healing and peace.
If you doubt that you are equipped to minister to others then read the true story of this blind minister, and see for yourself what God has already done through him. Every Christian can find a fresh confidence to be a 'well' from which others may draw blessing for the living water comes from Jesus himself, who dwells in all who receive him. Mike's story reminds us that the heart of the matter is a close walk of trust, obedience and fellowship with our Saviour, who can work through us powerfully, to his glory.
