Celebration Sunday!

This is a little article I wrote about what my family has been through this summer. I know that many of you have been following along and already know many of the details it describes. I have sent it along to a few media outlets and we'll see if it gets picked up or not. I figured it's always nice to print some GOOD news!

Also If you live in the Southeast Texas area or can make it there this Sunday, August 1st. Please plan on worshiping with us at Procter Baptist Church. They will be hosting Celebration Sunday! I am going to share a word of testimony, Steffi is going to sing and Dad will be preaching. There will be a potluck luncheon in the Family Life Center following the service. This service is open to everyone, especially those of you who prayed for dad. We know that you were part of this great miracle. I hope to see some of you there!

Here is the Article:

When God's People Pray

Rick Erwin, longtime pastor of Procter Baptist Church in Port Arthur, returns to the pulpit Cancer Free.

On May 26th, Bro Rick checked into MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for a routine prostatectomy. He, along with his doctors and his family, had decided on this particular course of treatment after being diagnosed in January with prostate cancer. The doctors were able to remove the prostate and test for any signs that the cancer had spread. During the 6 hour operation the small intestine was accidently nicked and immediately repaired. Initially this was considered a minor glitch with no repercussions; however, within a couple of days Bro. Rick’s condition took a turn or the worse. He had developed a terrible infection in his blood. As a result, he developed pneumonia and acute renal failure which required him to have dialysis for 3 hours a day. During this time it was also discovered that there was a small tear in his bladder, causing poisonous waste to leak into his lower abdominal cavity. Bro. Rick spent the worst of these days in the intensive care unit at MD Anderson on a respirator, his family unsure if he would ever be the same or even make it at all.

It was during these dark days that Bro. Rick’s wife, Lynn, and daughters, Steffi and Betsy, decided to organize a massive prayer effort. First, they began contacting every church that Bro. Rick had ever been associated with in any way. This included churches where he had served on staff, preached revivals, and churches that have current staff members that he has mentored. Bro. Rick has been in full time Christian ministry for over 40 years and has served at churches in three states. There were many churches and individuals to contact. Betsy began posting updates and prayer concerns on her personal blog which was linked to the Procter webpage. Over the next few days the word spread and before long people in as many as nine states were writing to let the family know how they had heard about Bro. Rick and that they were praying for him. In many cases the Erwin family heard from churches saying that their whole church family was praying for his healing. Local mid-county churches were a big part of this, too. First Baptist Church of Nederland’s Adam Pardue, who grew up at Procter, helped call local churches to get them praying as well.

Over the next few weeks, as so many people prayed for Bro. Rick, his health slowly improved. First, the test results returned from the surgery regarding the cancer. The doctors were able to get it all. There was no need for any further cancer treatments. Next, his kidneys began to function again. Then, the tear in the bladder healed. After a long struggle to find the right antibiotic and 39 days at MD Anderson, followed by 14 more days of IV therapy at home, Bro. Rick is not only Cancer free – but infection free! What a blessing! Bro. Rick and his family want to stress that his healing came from God. They feel that is was the constant prayers of so many that make it possible for him to be where he is today, at home getting back in the swing of things.

Bro. Rick as been more than just a pastor in this community for the past 22 years, he has been a leader and a friend. Bro. Rick has served on many community boards such as the American Red Cross, The Caplin Center, St. Mary’s Hospital and most recently he has served as president of the Port Arthur Community Home. He is also a former member of the Port Arthur Sertoma Club.

This coming Sunday, August 1st, at 10am, Procter Baptist Church on Jimmy Johnson Boulevard will be hosting Celebration Sunday. Bro. Rick along with the Procter Baptist Church Family would like to invite all to attend. It will be a great day of rejoicing in what God has done and what He will do next! There will be a potluck luncheon in the Family Life Center following the service. All are welcome to attend.

Bro. Rick and his family would like to thank all of you who had a part in his healing. They know that many of you were praying for him and for his family. They appreciate your heartfelt prayers. They also want to remind you that you were part of God’s miracle in saving his life.

Just think what else is possible – when God’s people pray!