ATS Healing Academy
Asbury Theological Seminary is deeply rooted in the Wesleyan, Evangelical Holiness tradition of the Christian faith. It has long been a place of healing and transformation for persons preparing for ministry. In order to accomplish our mission of preparing well trained, sanctified, Spirit-filled ministers, we aim to provide a context rich with resources for transformation and the healing of brokenness.
The ATS Healing Academy is designed to equip students and spouses with the wisdom, dispositions and practical skills to engage in the ministry of Christian healing, through participation in a supervised practicum-oriented training school. In addition to training, the Healing Academy provides ministry to students, staff, spouses and guests. The healing prayer minister’s task is to listen, love and pray. Prayer ministry is not counseling or advice giving, but an opportunity to journey intentionally with a healing prayer minister to experience Jesus who is already at work to heal. The ministry focus is on an attentiveness to the whole person in order to discern what Jesus is healing in the person receiving prayer.
More than 100 students have now received training from the ATS Healing Academy, located on both Kentucky and Florida campuses. The training school offers prayer education in the context of mentored groups, which connects participants with the best of ancient and current wisdom in the healing prayer tradition. The curriculum is organized by levels. In Level 1, students are focused on learning the basic concepts of healing prayer ministry and on their own personal healing journey. At this level, students also participate in altar ministry to begin practicing healing prayer. In Level 2, students are given more opportunity to go deeper into their own practice and begin to articulate their theology of healing. Level 2 students help facilitate coaching groups and assist in grace retreat ministries. Grace Retreats are personal retreats in a small group setting, designed to lead people into grace-filled freedom and deepening love. Level 3 is an internship including personal mentoring with Peg Hutchins.
This structure aims to perpetually train up leaders in the ministry of healing prayer. Giving members the opportunity to lead coaching groups and to participate in grace retreats allows them to foster and grow the skills and knowledge they acquire in the practicum setting. Experiencing the healing love of God has always been foundational at Asbury Theological Seminary. It is no different today. J. D. Walt, formerly Dean of the Chapel and currently Chief Sower at Seedbed, writes: “In addition to providing ways and means for students to appropriate healing in their own lives, the seminary must progressively offer the theological and practical resources required to equip and empower persons to be healing agents in the context of the local church and para-church ministries.” The Asbury Healing Academy was created to fulfill this purpose.
The Healing Academy provides healing prayer teams during Wednesday Eucharist in Kentucky, Chapel services on Tuesdays and Thursdays on the Florida Dunnam Campus, and at many other events throughout the Seminary. Participation in the Healing Academy is granted by application only, and participants are expected to continue their training and service through the end of the two year commitment.
I read Dr. Stanger’s book while in seminary and spent time in his office asking questions and talking. Those experiences led to a ministry of healing over almost forty years. The one thing I remembered from the book and from Dr. Stanger was that healing would not stand alone; it was always used in the context of wholeness.
Is there anyway an individual can audit the journey on-line!
I think this is wonderful. I am curious if Asbury has had any contact with the Healing Rooms Ministry. If they have not, please give me a call. May God richly bless you!
Rev: 21:4
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