A SPECIAL GUEST STORY FROM OUR NEW FRIENDS AT SOMA, WHO ATTENDED OUR SYNOD TO OFFER SOME GREAT TRAINING ABOUT THE HOLY SPIRIT’S MINISTRY OF HEALING AND DELIVERANCE!

Reprinted from SOMA International’s newsletter called “Sharing” (June 17, 2025).

Eighty-Two Invitations. That’s right—in 2022, SOMA International attended a conference where they received eighty-two individual invitations to send mission teams around the world. One of these invitations came from the Diocese of the Arctic. Three years later, in God’s good timing, an adept team of two traveled to Edmonton, Canada, to equip Arctic leaders during their Synod last month.

“Let no one be found among you who….interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

Deut 18:10-12a

Timely Training

Along with other topics, our invitation was to equip diocesan leaders in healing and deliverance. Before our arrival, we learned that a number of people in Eastern Arctic communities were attempting to “reconnect with their heritage” (or so they believed) by trying to commune with deceased relatives who were shamans. A lay leader from the area said they were dealing with serious spiritual warfare after a group of young people decided they would dedicate their lives to Satan, which increased the already high number of suicides. Bishop Alex commented, “The training will be timely and much appreciated.” Unfortunately, these occurrences are not isolated.  I attended a meeting with a well-known global Anglican leader last fall. He said that syncretism, the combining of different religions, cultures, or ideas, is on the rise, even in orthodox provinces. 

With God’s help, we taught people about the error of attempting to communicate with the dead and the power of healing prayer. During the hands-on practicums, over 20 people experienced healing! One time, while walking down the prayer line, a man asked me, “What do I do?” I helped him with some questions before we prayed together. At first, I had to tell him what to say. We checked on the person receiving prayer, and there was a little improvement. After giving the man more words to pray, we checked again, and this time the improvement was clear. He got so excited that he started praying on his own. After his third prayer, we saw a 75% improvement in the shoulder. Both men jumped up and down with joy!

Equipping in the Arctic Circle

SOMA was invited to return this winter to visit four remote parishes (circled below). Why winter?  During sub-zero temperatures, rivers and lakes freeze over. These “ice roads” connect isolated communities that are otherwise only accessible by plane. We learned that isolated pastors and leaders are in urgent need of encouragement and equipping. Communities suffer from high levels of addiction, paganism, and physical/sexual abuse. With mental health services either overwhelmed or not available, churches are the only hope for restoration. Thank you for partnering with SOMA to build up the body of Christ for the work of ministry in the Arctic.

Love in Christ,
Kyle

A Testimony!

Sarassie, a faithful lay leader in her church where there is no ordained minister.

While in Edmonton for the Synod, the SOMA group would have prayer over each other, and I was prayed over twice. For months I have been having bowel movements with blood in them. I have been going back to the health center over and over and they were monitoring me and doing tests, suspecting cancer. I asked for prayer for this.

So after being in Edmonton and prayed for, I got home to my community. I went in for another appointment, and now the doctor called and said there is nothing! There is no evidence of any problem, even though it was there before!

I feel the difference, and I know God is working within me. I am healed! Amen.