From LifeDate - Winter 2007.

There are millions of people who have been diagnosed with debilitating diseases, including myself, who are looking for hope. The question is: Are we looking for hope in all the wrong places? The apostle Peter reminds us that we have "a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" (1 Peter 1:3b). The hope we have is literally in the hands of our Savior. Job declares this when he says, "In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind" (Job 12:10).

We have been led to believe that Embryonic Stem Cell Research (ESCR) is where the future hope for the cure of these devastating diseases lies. Yet, to date, not one substantive breakthrough has come through ESCR. At the same time numerous treatments and advancements have come from Adult Stem Cell Research.

When it comes to finding the cure for incurable diseases we all have a hope that someday it will become a reality. This is especially true for the many that have been diagnosed with diseases for which there may be treatments but not a cure. Like Michael J. Fox, I was at a young age when I was diagnosed with the early onset of Parkinson’s disease. We both have suffered from the debilitating effects of this dreadful disease, and like many who suffer with us we have the hopeful desire for a cure. In fact, through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, he has committed himself to doing just that.

This is where our commonalities end. We have differing views on how a cure for Parkinson’s should be sought. Michael has taken a strong stand by publicly supporting Embryonic Stem Cell Research, not to mention cloning of embryonic stem cells. He publicly interjected himself in the 2006 fall election process in the state of Missouri to do just that. It was after these elections that I became compelled to speak out on this issue. I shared the following words with the members of my two congregations, "I cannot in conscience avail myself to any treatment or cure that knowingly comes from the willful destruction of life in order to preserve life."

In the fall of 2000, my health began to deteriorate. My parishioners and countless others were faithfully praying for an answer to my health problems. Along the way I found out that one of the issues I was facing was a degenerative liver issue, but still had no answer to my other health challenges. I considered going on disability and leaving the ministry due to the loss of focal ability in my close vision, a significant loss in my right side dexterity, balance issues, tremors, rigidity, and other problems.

In the fall of 2003, I received a diagnosis: early onset Parkinson’s disease. In part, the prayers of God’s faithful were answered, because I now knew what my future would hold. I did not respond to the first round of medication. Eventually I was put on Sinemet (a drug that helps relieve some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease). I had a positive response physically but the drug did not improve my vision.

I was told in August of 2004 there was nothing they could do for my vision issues and my case was put on the research pile. I asked my specialist how long it would be before I could no longer serve in my vocation. He replied, "Your life will never be the same."

A few months later, an elder of one of my parishes approached me about a cutting-edge technology in nutrition delivery. I thanked him and told him that I had tried some forms of nutrition but could not tolerate them digestively. He informed me that this new form works at a cellular level without the need for digestion.

On March 2, 2005, he took me to a Regenerative Health 101 seminar where I learned about this new technology. With some guidance, I began a comprehensive nutritional intervention program. Little did I know how God would fully answer the prayers of His faithful on my behalf. Within one week, my vision went back to normal and has remained stable ever since (ironically, on the Church Year calendar, the Sunday before is known as Occuli, vision Sunday). Within a month my liver issues normalized. At the end of March, my neurological evaluation showed significant improvements and my medications were cut in half.

On May 9, 2005, I went off all medication with no significant symptom issues.

As of the fall of 2006, I was released from my specialist’s care.

Although I am not cured, my life and health is better than it has been in years. My eldest daughter no longer has worries of whether or not her dad will be able to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. I enjoy watching and playing tennis with my younger daughter. I now can golf with my eldest son and play catch with my younger son. As my wife so simply puts it, "My husband now dreams again." I now have plans, hope, and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Because God’s hand of grace and healing has touched my life, I firmly believe it is God’s plan for me to make the most of every opportunity to speak out on life issues. It is my fervent prayer that we continue to give witness to the God of life by supporting research efforts, including adult stem cells, that would bring about a cure for Parkinson’s and other diseases without the willful taking of life.