Pastor
Albert Kang, Malaysia
Coordinator for Elijah Challenge Asia
Valenzuela,
Philippines
August 2007
Friday, 24 August 2007
Visiting Pastor Luis Marfield and Pastor Jun Carbalo
Malinta, Bulacan, Valenzuela
Philippines
From 1982 to 1985, while I was studying for my Master of Divinity degree at Far East Advanced School of Theology (FEAST), now known as Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS), I met Pastor Luis Marfield. He was then a bi-vocational pastor, working at FEAST as the maintenance supervisor. A deep friendship was struck after he asked me to co-pastor his barrio church, Marilao Bethel Christian Church, at Marilao, five miles from the seminary. For three years, we worked together, ministering to farmers and factory workers. However, in the 1980s, it was a difficult time for most Filipinos. The Marcos era was coming to an end and the nation was in the mood for political change. Quite a number of our practitioners were jobless and we had to come out with creative ideas to give them an income. We experimented with goat and pig farm but that did not work. I guess the people ate the goats and pigs rather then allowed them breed. We even turned the church building into a workshop, producing hand-made bookmarks for American missionaries to send back to their supporters in USA. At 25 US cents a piece, this business brought some income to our members.After my graduation, I did return a few times to Marilao to visit Pastor Marfield. The last time, I saw him was probably in 1990. Fast forward seventeen years to 24th August 2007, at the very same campus where I studied from 1982 to 1985, I was thrilled to meet this man of God again. He was living with his daughter, Elizabeth and his son-in-law, Pastor Jun Carbalo, who is also the present pastor of the church in Marilao. Pastor Marfield, now in his eighties, was suffering from arthritis in both his knees and ankles, complicated by gout attack. He was sitting when I arrived in the rain with Pastor Reggie, Pastor Cesar and Pastor Ana who is our Elijah Challenge Coordinator of Cavite.
Pastor Marfield was having great difficulty trying to stand up to greet us. We quickly prevented him from doing that because he was obviously in pain. After all the preliminary greetings, like all true Elijah Challengers, I asked about his health condition. He had recovered from a mild stroke and his blood pressure and diabetes were under control. The only thing that was bordering him was his arthritic joints in his lower limbs. I suggested to Pastor Marfield that all the visiting pastors would heal him of his arthritic pain in the name of Jesus. The amiable elderly pastor agreed and so we along with his family members descended upon him like vultures. Our mountain-moving faith was at its peak and as I commanded with a hoarse but firm voice for the pain to go, all the rest of the healing team echoed every word. The knees were totally healed on the third command. The ankles were also healed in another three rounds of command. Where previously, it was even painful for him to stand, after the healing, he stood without much effort and …pain. With one person on each side, we helped steady Pastor Marfield as he took bold steps and walked around the living room. Everybody applauded as the miracle was manifested before our very eyes. Later, without any assistance, Pastor Marfield walked to and from the washroom. I praise and thank God for healing my old friend and fellow minister.
The next person to be healed was the family helper. She was a fascinated observer as she watched how God healed Pastor Marfield. This girl had a huge goitre in the front of her neck and she could hardly nod her head downward. I asked Pastora Ana to give the verbal command and take authority over the goitre. The command took effect and we saw the goitre shrunk. The helper was elated and she said that when the command was given she felt a strange sensation in her throat. She showed that she could lower her head to her neck. However, to be sure, we measured her neck with a measuring tape and then we took authority over the goitre again. Then we measured again and the tape showed that the goitre had reduced in size.
Pastor Jun Carbalo also asked for healing. His heart had been feeling tinge of pain and he had faith that he would be healed that night. With similar faith, the visiting pastors and I placed our hands on the chest of Pastor Jun. After one command, Pastor Jun said that the pain in his heart area was completely gone. We all rejoiced that with mountain-moving faith, God's miraculously power was actively manifested that night. For the first time, the authority to heal through Elijah Challenge had come to Bulacan. At the time of this writing, the churches in Bulacan are planning to have their first Elijah Challenge Seminar and Healing Crusade.
Luke 10:9 "Heal the sick who are there and tell them,
'The kingdom of God is near you.’"
