Record Group

English

56/3/8

20230322

(MO) Ozark--James River Church
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News clip: 2023 March 22. News-Leader (Springfield, MO). An Ozarks church leader claims prayer regrew a woman's toes. Others aren't so sure. $c / Susan Szuch.

Springfield, MO : The News-Leader, 22 March 2023.

2 p. ; 28 cm.

During a week of special services at James River Church, on March 15, Pastor John Lindell announced in the service that a miracle of healing had taken place the night before at the Joplin campus of the church. As guest speaker Bill Johnson led in prayer, a woman in Joplin was prayed for by a group of women. She reported that 3 toes that had been amputated years before regrew during the prayer. A video of the woman testifying to this event was played during the service on March 15.

Since the March 15 service was streamed online, it brought a significant response in the media and on social media, especially from those who strongly criticized the miraculous claim.

This article reports on the miracle claim, but also noted the expressions of doubt.

Included in the file is a negative response by a blogger who calls himself 'the friendly atheist:' 'This Christian claims her three amputated toes were regrown during a prayer service' (4 p.). Unfortunately, his negative comments were widely reported in subsequent news articles.

Also included in the file are 2 examples of skeptical reporting: 'Missouri megachurch pastor claims 'prayer' regrew woman's amputated toes' / Justin Rohrlich, The Daily Beast (2023 March 23, ill., 5 p.); 'Are people seriously this stupid?: Missouri woman and pastor claim miracle of three regrown toes' / Maya Boddie, AlterNet (23 March 2023, ill., 2 p.).

The story was picked up by secular press outlets. Included are 2 examples: 'A Missouri church leader claims prayer regrew a woman's toes. Others are skeptical.' / Susan Szuch, USA Today (23 March 2023, 2 p.; this is a slightly modified version of the story from the Springfield News-Leader); 'Pastor says prayer regrew woman's toes--but people want proof' / Aila Slisco, Newsweek online (22 March 2023, 2 p.).

The story also appeared in the religious press. Included are 2 examples: 'Woman credits prayer for toes growing back; skeptics want proof' / Stephanie Martin, Church Leaders (23 March 2023, ill., 3 p.); 'Skeptics demand proof after megachurch pastor claims prayer regrew woman's amputated toes' / Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post (25 March 2023, ill., 3 p.).

Also included is an article which includes some follow-up from John Lindell: 'John Lindell: modern-day pharisees scoff at incredible miracle' / Shawn A. Akers, Charisma News (28 March 2023, ill, 3 p.).

Another response comes locally from Steve Pokin, who states he is skeptical, but decries the level of animosity shown, especially in hateful comments expressed about many of the online news reports: 'Pokin around: you can be skeptical of claim of regrown toes without being un-Christian' / Steve Pokin, Springfield Daily Citizen (24 March 2023, ill., 5 p.).

Lindell, John.
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Johnson, Bill.
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James River Church (Ozark, MO).
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Miracles--Personal narratives.
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Missouri--Ozark.
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04/26/2023