One year ago, Pastor Chuck was busy with work and pastoring this body of believers. The annual campmeeting was only a couple weeks away, and much preparation was still left to be done.
Pastor was going about business as usual, but feeling somewhat ill. Of course, this wasn't enough to slow him down, much less to stop him. "Oh it's just bronchitis. I'll get over it," was his response. After a week dealing with the "just bronchitis", he finally went to the doctor. They immediately admitted him into the hospital for pneumonia. Not just any pneumonia, but PCP.
They put him on a respirator without any set date of how long he would be on it. The main doctor, whom was known as the "gloom and doom" doctor, did not give much hope. In fact, he stated that the majority of people in Pastor's condition do not make it out alive.
I'm sure you can imagine how that went over with Spirit-filled believers. In fact, when the doctor stated their was only a small chance that he would make it through, his sister stated, "We'll take that percentage. You don't know him and you don't know the God we serve."
Leadership immediately stepped up to the plate. We prayed for Pastor, and laid hands on him. We proclaimed God's Word of healing over him. We all stood in faith that God would bring Pastor, and the church, through this victoriously.
The next 10 days was a time of trying of our faith and our commitment to the local church and to God. We were given the opportunity to examine ourselves to see where we stand. We had campmeeting even though Pastor wasn't there. We took turns sitting with Pastor in the hospital room. Psalms 91 was constantly read to him. And even in his state of unconciousness, Pastor still responded with a thumbs up.
After day 11, Pastor "came to" and decided to take himself off the respirator and removed the tube himself. (That didn't go over too well with the doctor!) He was soon released from the hospital and on his way to a full recovery. Though it may have seemed like a long time for Pastor, his recovery was fairly quick, compared to other people.
Today, he is healthy and back to his old self. These pictures were taken on September 28, 2008..one year later.
Pastor Chuck is currently writing a book of both his and the church's testimonies and lessons.