Steve and Lu Ann Smith

On September 9, 2003, as I was pulling into the driveway of our home, I ran over our then 5 year old son Peyton. The ambulance arrived, and it was decided by medical personnel that Peyton should be airlifted by helicopter to North Memorial Hospital which specializes in trauma. Words can not express the pain and agony that my husband Steve and I experienced during that 40 minute car ride to the hospital (there wasn't room for us in the helicopter). On the way there, we begged and pleaded to God, asking him to please spare our son's life. We also made phone calls to as many people as we could asking them to do the same.

Arriving only minutes behind us at the hospital were two Pastors from River of Life as well as an entire entourage of other church family friends. These wonderful men and women prayed fervently with us as if they were praying for their own child. Their love and concern touched our hearts so deeply and we are filled with utter gratitude to both them and Jesus Christ.

After many x-rays and tests were run, it was determined that our little boy had NO broken bones and was expected to make a full recovery. Because of this miraculous protection and healing, our faith has been strenghthened beyond measure. Having a church family beside us when we were at our lowest of low was the greatest blessing! I don't know how we would have made it through this experience without the love and support of the staff and friends at River of Life!

Yours in Christ,

Steve & Lu Ann Smith

Thursday Night Prayer Team Report
submitted by Pastor Bob Johnson

Praise Reports

One: Nancy Hendrickson came out to pray. The first night she came, she did not even come into the room. She got up enough guts the next prayer night and she prayed for the first time in front of people and out loud. Nancy started: "Oh God, I have never spoken publicly before." She asked God to encourage her husband Richard who had been out of work quite awhile. Three weeks later Rich was coming to the prayer meetings. Five weeks later he landed a job. Not just any job but one that would be a challenge and fit just what he was looking for. Needless to say, Nancy and Rich come to every prayer meeting with their little baby girl with them.

Two: Lloyd Favre who was in Hillcrest Rehabilitation with Grandma Ann, asked Ann if we would pray for his situation. Because of major operations which cost over a million $ social services, Medicare, medcade were going to cut him off and he would have to go home needing a operation. They were to meet the next morning to decide about this. We prayed for Mr. Favre that night, you could feel out prayer teem connecting with God. Unbeknown to us they were meeting as we prayed. They honored his request. I knew as we prayed that something was happening. This was an unknown person we were praying for but I could sense God responding to His people calling out in faith. I met Lloyd after this. He said. Anytime I have a need I am going to contact that team of yours who have power with God.

There are so many more, we will keep the reports coming.

Pastor Bob Johnson

Prayer Team Report

Prayer Answer: August 5th Pastor Bob's wife Grandma Ann had double knee replacement. After a week in the hospital she was transfered to Hillcrest in Wayzata. There she met a wonderful 91 year young Jewish lady. Grandma Ann and Maxine hit it off right away. Sharing the same room, eating together, laughing together, etc etc! In my trips to visit my wife Maxine asked me to pray for her as she had a bad infection in one leg and they wanted to take the leg. God did give Maxine (who if you had met her you would have loved her) a great measure of relief at that time with the leg. Maxine hadn't been sleeping and asked for prayer and God gave her sleep (Isn't God wonderful!) and my wife also was able to sleep. One sunny afternoon as the two of them were enjoying the warmth Ann shared with Maxine Luke 23:46. Luke records that Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.' When he had said this, he breathed his last." Obviously our Lord's crucifixion. Ann had been reading an article from Faith Matters a ministry of Leith Anderson and Wooddale Church. Ann took Maxine to Psalm 31:5 where this quote is found in the old Testament and asked Maxine if she would like to pray that prayer also. Maxine said she would love to. After that prayer Ann asked Maxine if she would like to ask Jesus Christ her Messiah to become her Savior and she said she would. On that sunny afternoon the son of God forgave one of his own her sins and redeemed her to himself. Maxine has gone to heaven now but we will see her again seated close to Him who died for her. All of that time our prayer team at ROL had been praying. Thank you God that your ear is not deaf that you cannot hear, neither is your arm shortened that you cannot reach out to the one who in faith believing comes to you.

Because of Calvary Pastor Bob

For more information please contact:
Pastor Bob Johnson
Phone 763/441-7527
pastorbob@rolchurch.net