SOZO - the Greek word which means to heal, cure, to make well; to rescue from danger, to save; to cause something to change to an earlier, correct or appropriate state; to renew.

PROGRAM

The SOZO School of Christian Healing Prayer is offered for those who seek healing and wholeness in mind, body, spirit, and relationships. It has been re-designed in focus, format, and content in 2009. Participants will study Holy Scripture, the history of this ministry, its place in Church tradition, and contemporary practices of Christian healing prayer. Opportunities to receive healing prayer will be made available during most of the class sessions, on retreats, in other venues at Richmond Hill and through various healing ministries throughout the metropolitan area.

SOZO will begin its first semester, focusing on an overview of Christian Healing Prayer, with a 36-hour overnight retreat on January 23-24, 2010, followed by 8 weekly sessions on Thursday evenings, from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. The evening begins with the Prayer of the Community, and continues with dinner in the Refectory and the class session. Each class session will include a presentation on a particular topic, with small and/or large group discussion/sharing, and an experience of healing prayer will be offered.

The second semester begins with an overnight retreat on April 10-11, 2010, followed by 8 weekly sessions around the theme of inner healing (e.g., our identity in Christ as Beloved Child, healing of past hurts, listening to God, etc.).

Applicants will meet with the Dean and/or one of our faculty members prior to acceptance. Please note that every effort will be made to create a group balanced by denomination, gender, and race. The class is limited to 20 participants. Cost for the class is $400. Scholarships are available to those who qualify.

VISION

Aware of our woundedness, we seek to experience and extend to others the healing love of Jesus Christ, and to reclaim the wholeness God intended for all our lives. We believe that God intends inner healing for all persons, and that through inner healing, other healings are often enabled to take place. This program provides an introduction to Christian healing prayer and training for those who feel called to the ministry of healing prayer and to those who would like to experience healing in their own lives.

FACULTY

The SOZO faculty includes both clergy and lay members of the Richmond Hill healing prayer team. All have had extensive training and experience in the healing prayer ministry.

"The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.... Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." --Luke 4:18-19, 21