Saturday, June 18, 2005

SPIRITUALITY AND MEDICINE
The 2nd International Christian Medical Conference Brings 500 Physicians From Around The Globe To A Predominantly Hindu Nation Of India

By WCDN Correspondent
Special to ASSIST News Service


CHENNAI, INDIA (ANS) -- More than 500 physicians from 11 countries gathered recently in Chennai, India, to present medical data about the work of healing manifested through the prayers of the Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, Founder and President of the World Christian Doctors Network (WCDN) and Senior Pastor of Manmin Joong-ang Church in Seoul, Korea, as well as others.

“Medicine Meets Faith”, the 2nd WCDN conference opened a new chapter on Christian medical science’s perspectives on “divine healing”.

One highlight was a special lecture by Dr. David Prentice, Ph.D. of the US on alternative measures based on the Bible for embryonic stem cell research, cloning and euthanasia.

One can easily see in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, how its citizens still vividly remember “The 2002 Miracle Healing Prayer Festival with Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee” held in October of that year. Chennai is a city rich in Christian history, as it was the place where the Apostle Thomas – one of Jesus’ Twelve Disciples – died a martyr while spreading the gospel here. Built in the city is St. Thomas Cathedral that attracts countless pilgrims each year.

More than three million people gathered during the four-days of 2002 India Miracle Healing Prayer Festival

The 2002 Healing Festival with Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee took place at Marina Beach, Chennai, and during the four days of the festival more than three million people gathered. This monumental festival is widely considered to have made a profound impact on Christian history. At the festival attended mostly by Hindus, Rev. Dr. Lee movingly testified to messages – e.g., “Why Is Jesus Our Only Savior?” – which were based entirely on the evangelical teachings of the gospel.

When Rev. Dr. Lee prayed for the sick from the pulpit during the festival, in the midst of the fiery and explosive work of the Holy Spirit a number of people experienced and testified to their healing. This scene of miracles was also broadcast live on India’s four television channels, and there were other countless people watching the Festival on TV who received healing and converted to Christianity.

PHYSICIANS FROM 11 COUNTRIES GATHER AT CHENNAI

The World Christian Doctors Network (WCDN) is an international Christian medical organization that addresses not only urgent questions facing the Christian medical community today, but it is also the first of its kind that objectively confirms and examines instances of healing by the power of God.

From May 30-31, 2005, The 2nd International Christian Medical Conference – “Spirituality & Medicine” under WCDN’s auspices took place at Hotel Taj Coromandel in Chennai, India.

This year’s conference brought together over 500 physicians, medical students, and medical experts from 11 nations, including Germany, the United States, Uruguay, and others. This conference featured presentations of the work of God the healer, panel discussions, and Special Presentations by world-renowned medical experts.

In his inaugural address, Dr. George M. Chandy, Director of Christian Medical College, Vellore (the largest mission hospital in Asia) of India observed that “God has given Christian physicians an ability to treat patients, and we ought to unite medical science and God’s power.”

Following the address from Dr. Paul Ponraj, Director of WCDN India (Senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at a prominent hospital in Chennai), Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, Founder and President of WCDN and Senior Pastor of Manmin Joong-ang Church on a recorded address introduced the power of God that can overcome the limits of medical science and encouraged the physicians gathered.

Rev. Dr. John Joseph, a prominent evangelist and prophet serving in southern India, movingly shared abundant grace with the audience. “What the doctors need today is the transformation of their spirits by the help of the Holy Spirit. Thanks to the teary prayers of Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee, this conference could be held today and it will bear many fruit in the days to come.”

Guest Lecture of Dr. T. M. Joseph (Dean of division of surgery at Medical Trust Hospital in Cochin) under the title of “The Priorities of a Christian Doctor in a secular world,” delved into ethics awareness of today’s Christian physicians. Dr. David Prentice, Ph. D. (Senior Fellow for Life Sciences at Family Research Council, a Washington D.C.-based think tank; and an affiliated scholar for the Center for Clinical Bioethics, Georgetown University Medical Center) who lectures at the United Nations and the U.S. Senate, addressed some of today’s controversial topics, including stem cell research, cloning and euthanasia, and presented alternative proposals based on the Word of the Bible.

PRESENTATIONS OF INSTANCES OF DIVINE HEALING BY REV. DR. JAEROCK LEE AND OTHERS’ PRAYER

Following the address on “divine healing” by Dr. Joonha Hwang M.D., Ph.D., Chairman of the WCDN, physicians from countries around the world presented the cases – backed by medical data – in which patients received healing by prayer. Out of the 21 cases presented, 18 of them were instances in which healing came by the prayer of Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee.

Among the featured cases, Dr. Mutharasu (Neurologist at Bethany Health Care Centre in Chennai) presented the instances of Yoonsup Kim of Korea, who had been evaluated to be of the first-degree disability* after severely injuring his vertebrae, and a girl named Cynthia of Pakistan, who had been dying from Celiac Disease and colon obstruction – both of whom experienced complete healing after receiving Rev. Dr. Lee’s prayer.

Dr. Yoonseok Chae (General surgeon at Kwandong University Myongji Hospital) introduced the case of Bong-yun Han who has been completely healed of his stomach cancer. Dr. Jayashree Ponraj (Ophthalmologist) presented the case of Youngmi Yoo who has been completely healed of her Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease. Instances of healing of many other incurable and terminal diseases were also presented in a solemn atmosphere.

When the presentations of God’s healing were complete, the audience responded with applause and shared with one another the grace they had just received. Dr. Edith S. Tria (Medical specialist at Dept. of Health Central Laboratory in Manila, The Philippines) said, “It is wonderful to have collected data on healing by God’s power! I was particularly impressed by the cases of systemic lupus erythematosus of a doctor, tennis elbow tendonitis of a violinist, and hydrocele of a baby, all of which were healed by prayer. It is delightful to know that Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee is a pastor of God’s power, and I would like to read all of his written works.”

Dr. David Prentice observed: “Among the data I presented was a case of injecting adult stem cells into a patient who had injured his spinal cord and whose condition made a favorable turn. Yet, when comparing that case with the case of Yoonsup Kim who had been of the first-degree disability, I can see that healing by prayer is far more effective and successful. Many physicians in the U.S. today are praying for their patients and learning about God’s healing. I am confident that the data presented at this conference will enable many people to come to possess faith. I thank the WCDN for hosting this conference and it was a marvelous experience to meet and share the truth with physicians from all over the world.”

Throughout this conference, Manmin’s Performing Arts Team’s presentation of Korea’s traditional and modern dance routines and praise in many languages were a source of overflowing grace and excitement. From the beginning to the end, this conference proceeded in the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

After each presentation of medical data, physicians had opportunities to ask questions and hear responses from presenters. Moreover, as physicians from 11 countries discussed the future of the WCDN, they exchanged ideas and opinions for further development of the Network.

REASONS FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE

Dr. Jorge Patpatian (Director, Uruguay’s Christian Medical Association) who had traveled over 30 hours from Uruguay to attend this conference, observed: “I had attended many international medical conferences before, but this was the first conference that focused on divine healing. I found every aspect of the conference – planning, topics, and presentations – fascinating, and researching of God’s healing by Christian doctors was a new experience for me. As a Christian physician myself, I believe in God’s power and I believe that He still manifests such works of healing even today, as He did in Jesus’ time.”

Dr. Paul Ponraj (Senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon at a prominent hospital in Chennai) had been preparing for this conference in prayer since last year. When asked for his thoughts upon the completion of the conference, Dr. Ponraj responded, “At first, I wasn’t sure how this conference was to be held, so all I could do was pray. Then about two months prior to this conference, I could feel that God Himself was preparing for this event. WCDN’s President Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee invested the Organizing Committee with all the powers necessary for the conference, but as I see the result now, I know the conference unfolded exactly the way of the Holy Spirit desired it.”

OPENING A NEW CHAPTER FOR CHRISTIAN MEDICAL SCIENCE

Hon. Chairman of the Organizing Committee Dr. Philip R. Anbarasan, M.D., Ph.D. (Deputy medical superintendent and officiating director at a prominent hospital in Chennai) remarked, “This year’s Conference will be viewed to have opened a new chapter on Christian medical science’s perspectives on divine healing. Physicians in attendance have come to renew their faith in God the Healer and in their medical line. This conference could be a grand success and usher in a new chapter on Christian medical science because God had led us each step of the way, from the preparation phase to the end. I am certain that when these intellectuals of the highest degree who attended this conference stand upright when measured by God’s standards, they will lead the younger generations in their field onto the right path. That impact will be enormous and will lead many more people in the medical field to God. I believe that WCDN will continue to grow and play a vital role in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

During an interview after this conference, Dr. George M. Chandy (Director of CMC Vellore) said, “I think God has especially selected Rev. Dr. Jaerock Lee to spread the gospel and show God’s power to countless people. He is someone who has received our Lord’s exceptional gift and power, and I ask Rev. Dr. Lee to share that gift and power with us.”

Many physicians and medical students in attendance confessed that they had come to believe the reliance on God’s power and the work of the Holy Spirit would enable them to carry out the task of more perfect healing, and requested that the medical conference be held continually not only on an international level but also in major cities in India.

For further information, please contact the World Christian Doctors Network(WCDN) via E-mail: hwang1923@empal.com  or go to their website at www.wcdn.org.