GOD & TEXAS: Healing the Sick

Following World War II, the Unites States experienced several genuine religious awakenings. The Healing Revival movement greatly impacted the southern states and Texas. Still remembered today are such noted evangelists as Oral Roberts, Jack Coe, A.A. Allen, and Raymond T. Richey.

Growing up in South Texas in the late 1940’s and 50’s, I was well acquainted with traveling evangelists as they pitched their tent and held meetings. Sawdust was spread on the ground down front, and big electric fans blew through the stifling heat offering little relief. People from many churches united for praise and worship.

The services would often include local choirs accompanied by a Hammond organ. Local pastors were invited to the platform adding validation to the evangelists ministry. Free-will offerings were taken using buckets or baskets.

But the main feature occurred when the evangelist prayed for the sick. After the Gospel message, a line formed down front and meandered through the assemblage. The evangelist would lay hands on the sick and pray for healing. When someone claimed a healing, and applause and shouts of praise would erupt from the congregation.

Unfortunately, some evangelists tainted their profession with immorality, vice, or fraud. Because of that, the term “Faith Healers” is sometimes received on a sour note. But that does not change the fact that God can and does heal today.

While there were many unsullied “Faith Healers” in Texas, one man earned much gratitude and commendation for his selfless ministry. Known as “the healer of Los Olmos,” Don Pedro Jaramillo was born in Mexico and moved to ranchland south of Beeville in 1881. After he experienced a personal miracle of healing, he claimed that God had given him the gift for healing others.

Called Don Pedrito by grateful friends, he began to travel by donkey to isolated ranches to pray for the sick. Using homemade remedies, many people were healed. Over time, the sick and disabled came from all around to Jaramillo’s humble hut. Those that were healed often gave him money, which he used to buy food and clothing for the destitute.

Historian Jennifer Koshatka Seman summed up the ministry of Jaramillo by saying, “He was an effective healer, he also provided social support and a kind of informal welfare to his community at a time in Texas history when there was a lot of violence against people of Mexican descent.”

Jaramillo never took credit for himself. When asked about his healing powers, he would say, "This is not my power that I have to heal, it is God's power." When he died in 1907, his hut was full of food and provisions that were purchased to help others.

Does God heal today? Yes!

James 5:14-15 NLT, “Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well.”

For more inspirational reading please visit www.davidroseministries.com

To purchase the historical non-fiction book GOD and TEXAS by David G. Rose visit www.amazon.com