The Healing Tent returned to campus this semester for a week of worship, prayer and healing, after making its debut at the corner of 5th Street and Nursery Road on November 11 of last year.
“It’s just a time of being on your face before the Lord,” said Sarah Pierce, one of the founders of the Healing Tent. “It’s really just between you and God what you want to do that week. The tent is available for anybody to use. Even if there’s no one there you can come in, bring a blanket or a chair and spend time with the Lord.”
Pierce was inspired to create the Healing Tent after spending time praying over the city of Anderson with her husband.
“My husband and I and our friends have been walking the city of Anderson praying over every street in the city for about two years now,” she said. “The Lord has begun to tell us to heal the land, so as we march and walk on every street we’re praying for the healing of the land. We minister to people, we pray for people, we see people saved and healed of many things. During some of those walks, the Lord impressed upon us that we were supposed to put up a tent.”
The tent has given many people an opportunity to share their love of God and the message of Jesus with others.
Stan Nolt is the founder of Fountain Life Christian Ministries, an organization that ministers to prisoners across the U.S. Nolt was invited by Pierce to participate in this semester’s Healing Tent.
Because of the ways God has moved in his life, Nolt shares the message of Jesus Christ through his book, “From the Bottle to the Bible.”
“I was an alcoholic for 26 years,” he said. “I was a drug addict for a long time. I was just lost and I was involved in a drug cartel from New York City. In June of 2010, Jesus Christ came into my life to set me free and deliver me from that life. I’ve been on fire for Jesus ever since. The point of the book is that I can hand it to someone on the streets or in prison and give them hope for their life. What God did for me, he’ll do for anyone else.”
A larger tent is being planned for this fall. Nolt is excited to part of it.
“We just had the door of opportunity opened while we were here to come back in September,” said Nolt. “I know that God opened that door, so I know there’s going to be a mighty move of God during the two weeks that we’re going to be here in the fall. We believe God’s going to be moving mightily and that there’s going to be revival in Anderson.”
Music education major Alaina Glover, who used to be one of Pierce’s Sunday school students, says she is excited for what God is going to do at their tent in the fall.
“We really feel like God has put on our hearts to do a 24/7 worship ministry at a larger tent in September,” Glover said. “We want to have free food and drinks for anyone who needs it, and free deliverance in Jesus name. We’re expectant and excited about what the Holy Spirit is going to do.”
Glover got involved in the tent ministry when Pierce reconnected with her through last year’s tent.
“I’ve known Sarah since I was a little kid,” she said. “Last fall we reconnected when the first tent came up. When we decided to do the new tent there was a lot of preparation and prayer. The Holy Spirit has flourished over this tent and we’ve seen amazing things happen.”
Glover has enjoyed seeing God working through the tent ministry.
“So many people were made new in the Holy Spirit and new in Jesus,” she said. “That has been amazing to witness and to be part of.”
