Belief in healing through prayer is at the core of his ministry

St. Andrew's, Vestal has had five people trained through Fr. Mumford's ministry in the Diocese of Albany including the rector. ed.

From the Albany Times-Union via TitusOneNine:

First published in print: Saturday, March 13, 2010

The Rev. Nigel Mumford: Director of healing ministries for the Albany Episcopal Diocese, based at the Christ the King Spiritual Life Center in Greenwich, Washington County.

Background: 55. Originally from Plymouth, England. He was a drill instructor with the British Royal Marines. Visited the United States in the 1970s and immigrated in 1980. He was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal Church in June of 2005, and was later ordained to the priesthood in December 2005. Has been at the center in Greenwich for five years.

He has written several books on healing ministries including "Hand to Hand: From Combat to Healing" and "The Forgotten Touch." He lives in Greenwich with his wife, Lynn, and has two grown stepchildren.

How does your ministry work?

We have a healing service once a week on Tuesdays and a soaking prayer service on Wednesday where we pray over those who need healing. We also have a prayer team of 37 people who pray for those who need healing.

How did you come to the healing ministry?

My sister had dystonia, which is a very unusual disease. Her body was crippled and stuck in the fetal position, but eight times a day, all her muscles would spasm. She was expected to die, but a man prayed for her and she got better almost immediately. Witnessing that miracle changed my life.

You're still getting back on your feet after a serious case of swine flu. Tell us about that.

I was diagnosed in October with the swine flu and hospitalized for three months. I was in the intensive care unit for two months and in a coma for 19 days. I was sedated and paralyzed when I came out of the coma. After being released from the hospital, I spent two weeks at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital. The Internet is an amazing tool for prayer. I had people praying all over the country and the world for me. The outpouring of love has been amazing.

So how are you doing now?

I'm taking it easy. I'm still on oxygen because I get winded very, very quickly. I'm learning again to breathe properly.

How has this serious illness affected your faith?

I know that if it wasn't for the prayers of the people and the skills of the doctors, I wouldn't be here today. At one point the doctors told my wife, "Don't go home tonight. He's going to die." Physically, it's been hell, but spiritually it's been heaven.

-- Christen Gowan