History
‘Healing Rooms’ takes its name from an amazing miracle ministry that operated in an office building in the business district of Spokane, Washington, USA from 1915 to 1920. Rather than in a large auditorium, people were ministered to in the rooms offered by the design of the building and so the name ‘Healing Rooms’ was born.
The Original Healing Rooms: John G Lake
These first Healing Rooms were established by John G Lake who was born in Canada in 1870, and grew up in the USA. He is regarded as one of the key figures used by God in the resurgence of healing ministry in the past century. His remarkable preaching and healing ministry spanned the years 1898 until his death in 1935. In 1908, the Lord led him to Africa where his miracle ministry resulted in what has been described until recently as “the most extensive and powerful missionary movement in all Africa”. During his lifetime he was credited with over a million converts, the planting of 625 churches and the training of 1,250 preachers. His goal in life was to bring the fullness of God to every person. Gordon Lindsay’s biography, John G Lake: Apostle to Africa, gives an inspiring account of his life.
Upon his return to the USA, Lake settled in Spokane, where he was led to train local believers to exercise healing ministry, and where he established the Healing Rooms. Lindsay notes, “The ministry during the next five or six years has rarely been equalled in the history of the church. It is estimated that some 100,000 healings occurred during that time” (p.53).
Lake’s ministry was summed up by Rev. B.S. Hebden at his memorial service: “Mr. Lake was a strong, rugged character of loving and winning personality, and he has left his mark indelibly upon the world . . . Dr. Lake came to Spokane. He found us in sin. He found us in sickness. He found us in poverty of spirit. He found us in despair, but he revealed to us such a Christ, as we had never dreamed of knowing this side of heaven. We thought victory was over there, but Dr. Lake revealed to us that victory was here, a present and possible reality. We regarded death almost as a friend, but Dr. Lake came and revealed to us the Christ, all glorious and all powerful, that is triumphant, compassionate, and lovely, and our night was turned into day and despair was turned into laughter. A light shone in the darkness and we, who found Christ at last as He really is, only have words as the words of Thomas, who said, ‘My Lord and My God.’”
Although the original Healing Rooms eventually closed, John G Lake had left an inspiring example of releasing Jesus Christ’s healing power and training others to do the same.
The Reopened Healing Rooms: Cal & Michelle Pierce
For a period of time in the mid 1990’s, God led Cal Pierce to Spokane every month to pray. There, he came across accounts of the ministry of John G Lake, some eighty years earlier. As he prayed, he sensed a call to recommence Healing Rooms ministry. He and his wife, Michelle, moved from California to Spokane. They trained a team, and on July 22, 1999 the Spokane Healing Rooms re-opened at the same street address as before, although in a new building. They imagined they were starting a small healing ministry, but the Lord had bigger plans. Immediately there were many miraculous healings, and people started coming from all over the USA, and many other countries. Soon the Healing Rooms model was being established in multiple locations. Today, Cal and Michelle find themselves the International Directors of a ministry exceeding 3,000 Healing Rooms in around 70 countries. Cal Pierce has recounted the journey in his book, Preparing the Way .
The Australian Healing Rooms
In March 2003 Healing Rooms were launched at the same time in Brisbane by John and Merilyn Edwards, and Sydney by Franklyn and Deanne Elliott. In 2005 Cal Pierce appointed Franklyn and Deanne as Australian Directors of Healing Rooms Australia. Following the Elliott’s retirement in mid 2018, John and Merilyn were appointed to the role. Martyn & Roslynne Ritchard were appointed as the Australian Directors on 1st January 2022.
Since 2003, many Healing Rooms have been established around the country. HRA has also assisted in establishing Healing Rooms in New Zealand, Indonesia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji, Philippines and China.
It has been exciting to see the emergence of many Healing Rooms in Australia, each with its own special account of God’s leading. Weekly, hundreds of team members in dozens of locations have the opportunity to fulfil their desire to be used effectively in healing ministry. They witness the awesome power of the Holy Spirit in healing, miracles and salvation included in the regular weekly pattern of their lives.
Healing Rooms Australia (HRA) is an association established to raise up and link Healing Rooms in churches and cities around Australia. The National Directors appoint the State Directors and National Training Team. The role of HRA is one of affiliation, advice and assistance. Each local Healing Rooms is its own legal entity in the way it is constituted. Its obligation to HRA is an agreement through affiliation to operate in a unified way according to the International model. Benefits of affiliation include use of the registered name ‘Healing Rooms’ and accompanying logo, advertising through this website, mentoring, training, credibility, accreditation, a standard level of competence, and accountability through association.
HRA is affiliated with the International Association of Healing Rooms (IAHR), established to raise up and link Healing Rooms in nations around the world. Its headquarters are in Spokane, Washington, USA. The founders and directors are Cal and Michelle Pierce. Under its oversight through affiliation, there are National and Regional Directors throughout the world whose responsibility is to train, equip and release the Body of Christ to establish Healing Rooms.
Our Commission:
“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation…and these signs shall accompany those who believe…they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” (Mark 16: 15-18)
Ministry Model
Healing Rooms is all about the presence of God and a simple ministry model in which teams of three people are led by the Holy Spirit to heal the sick. Our model is readily adapted to the local context, and is effectively working in a variety of denominational and community settings.
We are committed to being a safe place of ministry. We minister in teams of three, however on occasion there may be two on a team if there are a large number of guests requiring ministry. This ensures a safe environment for the guest and team members alike. We never minister to a person one on one.
All team members have completed training, signed a Code of Conduct and met the requirements for working with children in their respective State or Territory.
Most Healing Rooms open at least once a week. They operate on a drop in basis with no appointment needed. There is no charge for ministry.
Click here to find the Healing Rooms nearest to you.
The Ministry Process
The following is a typical outline which varies slightly depending on the setting.
When you arrive for healing ministry, a receptionist will ask you to complete a form with a few personal details, and will briefly explain to you this ministry process.
You will be shown to the waiting area which provides a peaceful atmosphere for you to relax and prepare to receive healing. In order of arrival, guests are assigned to a ministry team. Ministry takes place in a private area, where the team will pray with you, believing for your healing. Your confidentiality is assured.
We invite the Presence of God. We seek His direction. We follow His leading as we pray. The style is gentle but powerful. Sessions typically last around 20 minutes.
Following your healing session you are welcome to enjoy some more quiet time in the waiting area if you wish. Healing often occurs instantaneously, and at other times progressively over days or weeks following ministry. For some guests more than one visit to the Healing Rooms is needed for their desired outcome to be reached.
You are most welcome to come back to the Healing Rooms as many times as you like. We are committed to your healing journey however long it takes.
PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT PROVIDE COUNSELLING OR GIVE ADVICE IN HEALING ROOMS SESSIONS.