A Family Needs Our Help

The following reports came my way this past week…. Please read them to understand what I am asking….

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Sunday, August 12th - 7:45pm
About an hour ago I received a call requesting urgent prayer for Rev. Rick Hilsden.

This morning he suffered a medium grade heart attack just prior to the morning service at "The Park" (Sherwood Park Pentecostal Church) in Edmonton. Doctors have been attending to him throughout the day but have not been able to bring his blood pressure up to acceptable levels.

Judy met with the doctors just moments ago and they have informed her that they will keep Rick under observation for the next 4 hours. If his bp does not improve, they will consider other options (possible surgery).

We will continue to forward updates as they are available.

We just had special prayer for Pastor Rick at the closing Youth Camp service at Lakeshore, where hundreds of students called on God. We need to join our faith with theirs and believe together for God to do a healing miracle.

Respectfully,
Craig…
(Rev. Craig Burton, District Superintendent, Eastern Ontario District)

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Monday, August 13th - 2:45pm
We are passing along this update from The Park Church broadcast email.
Sunday morning at 10:00 am Pastor Rick experienced what turned out to be a medium grade heart attack. Following the service in which he introduced the pastoral team, preached and participated in the post-service luncheon and he went home from where he was taken by ambulance to the University of Alberta hospital at 2:30PM where he was admitted. Monday morning he was given an angioplast procedure to remove a blockage that was impacting his blood pressure. He will be in the intensive care ward following the procedure.

Please pray for a miraculous recovery, wisdom for the doctors and strength for Pastor Judy, Dion and Rich who was able to fly to be with his father during this medical emergency.

The family deeply appreciates you partnership in prayer on their behalf and request that you would not visit until this crises zone is passed.

Craig…

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Dear EOD Family
Thursday, August 16 - 9:00 am
Early this morning (3:00 a.m. Edmonton time) Rick suffered an "acute stroke". Hudson has spoken with the doctors and is flying to be with his family. The situation is very serious. Please make your prayerful support a priority today.

Craig…

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Dear Friends,
Friday, August 17th -10:30am
Hudson Hilsden called this morning from Edmonton to request continued prayerful support for Rick. The Doctor has confirmed that Rick has suffered a major stroke and is partially paralyzed.

The situation is very serious.

Sunday mornings service at The Park (Sherwood Park Pentecostal Church) will be dedicated to special prayer for Rick. It would be most appropriate for our Eastern Ontario District churches to join with them in a time of intercession.

Craig…

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From Me....
Through this series of emails I have learned that my fellow minister is in a very critical condition at this time. His wife and children are beside him now. They need our support. These are very heavy times for them.

Rick is 48 years old.

Thanks for praying… and if you don’t pray… just for thinking about the family today.

I know that if any one of us were in this situation now… having others support us and encourage would be priceless. Thank you so much for doing so.

~ Pastor Murray Lincoln ~