Two Well-Known Men of God Experience Serious Health Problems but are Currently "Okay"

Dan Wooding : Dec 28, 2009
ASSIST Ministries

Pastor Chuck Smith (Calvary Chapel) suffered a "minor stroke," and Evangelist Winkey Pratney had an aneurism, but is "doing well."

(Costa Mesa, CA)?Pastor Chuck Smith, 82, senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, California, and the father of the "Jesus People" phenomenon in Southern California, suffered a "minor stroke" recently, and is in a local hospital.

"I have just been to visit him... in the hospital and he is doing well," said Brian Brodersen, who serves as associate pastor to Chuck Smith at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, and is married to Cheryl, one of Chuck and Kay Smith's daughters.

"Pastor Chuck suffered a minor stroke at his home and a medical person staying there called '911' and he was taken to the hospital."

Greg Laurie, senior pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, California, said on his blog, "Last night, Pastor Chuck Smith was taken to the hospital and had what was described by his doctor as a 'mini-stroke.' His doctor expects him to make a full recovery."

Laurie, who runs the massive Harvest Crusades around the world, added, "Let's remember this beloved man of God in prayer, that the Lord would touch, bless, and heal him."

Like Greg Laurie, Mike MacIntosh, senior pastor of Horizon Christian
Fellowship in San Diego was also discipled by Chuck Smith.

Mike told ANS, "Pastor Chuck Smith is strong and will recover from this physical ailment. It is difficult to see someone you love be in the hospital.

"Our prayers should be [also] for their children, Jan, Jeff, Cheryl and Chuck Jr., and their many grandchildren. We must not forget Kay who has adored Chuck for 50 plus years of marriage."

Mike MacIntosh was one of the early converts in those early days of the "Jesus People" and, because of personal problems, he was divorced from his wife, Sandy. After both Mike and Sandy found Christ as their Savior, they were re-married at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa, by Pastor Chuck.

Evangelist Winkie Pratney 'doing well' in New Zealand hospital after suffering an aneurism

New Zealand-born evangelist, Winkie Pratney, has suffered an aneurism during a visit to his homeland.

He is being kept at a New Zealand hospital and is said to be "doing well" by his son, William Pratney.

"No surgery seems to be needed," said William on Winkey's blog:

"He has just eaten a meal and they said his brain will probably fix itself. He will be kept in observation for 3 days.

"He contracted a superbug, so has been moved to a private room. Praise God and thank you everyone for your prayers and messages."

About Winkie Pratney:
Logging some 150,000+ miles a year and often speaking with over half-a-million young people annually, Winkie has wide experience in youth work. His technical background in both science and the popular music culture has given him a unique insight to the particular needs of a media-dominated technological society, and his constant monitoring of youth trends combined with continual feedback from young people themselves has helped him interpret these for those with a vital interest in the welfare of the young.