Man’s healing leads to God encounters for 20 others

In April 2013, by which time he had endured several years of severe abdominal pain with no plausible medical explanation, Andre Klaasen responded to yet another healing altar call — this time at the Karoo Mighty Men Conference (KMMC) 2013  in Middleburg.

Three weeks later Klaasen, of Port Elizabeth, was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer.

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Despite the unfavourable medical report Klaasen found comfort in the parable of the barren fig tree in Luke 13: 6-9 when he clearly heard the Lord tell him: “He would spare my life but He expects me to bear fruit”.

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Later in 2013 almost half of his colon was removed as the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes. His oncologist recommended chemotherapy. Klaasen said God meanwhile referred him to another scripture: “The Lord had led me to Luke 5:31 – ‘only sick people need a doctor not the healthy’. “

In February this year he completed treatment successfully and doctors confirmed that no trace of cancer could be found in his body.

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“Throughout this time the wonderful grace of God had carried me”, he added. But this was just the beginning of an opulence of healing. 

The Lord then laid Luke 17:12-19 on his heart, where Jesus healed 10 men with leprosy and only one of them returned to Jesus to glorify Him for what He had done. “Something dropped in my spirt after reading this scripture and I realised that I too needed to do more than just praise and thank the Lord by mouth”. And so, out of obedience, Klaasen took a faith step and committed to bless 20 broken men by arranging for them to attend the Mighty Men Conference 2014 in April.

By faith he stepped out and registered for the 20 men to attend the KMMC 2014 in April this year. The men were all in great need of an encounter with God, he said.

“The Lord confirmed my thoughts by leading me to Luke 13:21 where Jesus likens the Kingdom of Heaven to yeast. A woman adds a little yeast to several measures of flour – the yeast permeates through the dough which expands”, he said while sharing how God had led him to reach out to the 20 men. After taking that  step of faith, the Lord exceeded  his and his wife Wandas’ expectations by providing the finances and resources to achieve the MMC trip. “He led us to the ‘right’ people, supplied accommodation, food and transportation!” Klaasen said.

The 20 men  were from the Shepherds Field Drug and Rehabilitation Centre in Port Elizabeth. Several of them were so touched by the Lord that they gave their hearts to Jesus at the event.

“I praise God for all He has done for me and these men. I know in my heart that the Lord our God has healed me completely and He is indeed a gracious and loving Father,” said Klaasen, amazed at how his faith spurred on healing — not only for himself but also for the 20 men whose lives have been impacted forever.