Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer | Episode 081: A Heritage Of Miracles, Part One w/Special Guest Richard Roberts

Introduction

In Episode 081 of the "Jesus the Healer" podcast, host Nancy Dufresne welcomes special guest Richard Roberts from Dufresne Ministries. Richard, a seasoned televangelist from Tulsa, Oklahoma, brings decades of experience in the healing ministry, deeply rooted in a rich family heritage of Christian broadcasting and miraculous healings.

1. Welcoming Richard Roberts and His Ministry Background

Nancy begins by introducing Richard Roberts, highlighting his extensive experience in Christian television since the 1960s. Richard shares his journey, stating,

“I started with my dad in 1969. I've been on television every week, and for 14 years, Lindsay and I did live television daily” ([01:17] B).

He emphasizes his commitment to the ministry, having participated in over 20,000 TV shows, showcasing his dedication and longevity in the field.

2. The Roberts Family Heritage and Early Ministry Experiences

Richard recounts growing up immersed in his father’s healing ministry, attending numerous tent crusades and witnessing firsthand the power of prayer and faith-based healing. Nancy reflects on her own experiences attending chapel services at Oral Roberts University, where Richard’s father frequently preached.

Richard explains how these early experiences unknowingly prepared him for his own role in the healing ministry:

“While the prayer line was being assembled, he would go to an auxiliary tent that was outside. Nobody knew about that. In that tent were people… [Richard] would go and lay hands on every one of them” ([07:25] B).

3. The Healing Revival and Large-Scale Tent Crusades

The conversation delves into the healing revival of 1947-1958, with Richard highlighting his father’s pivotal role. He describes the monumental tent crusades where thousands gathered, seeking healing:

“You never knew when an eye was going to be healed, somebody was going to be healed of deafness, some cripple was going to take off running” ([07:01] A).

Richard shares the sheer scale of these events, where his father would lay hands on up to 10,000 individuals in a single afternoon, often leaving him physically exhausted:

“I walked with him so many times carrying his coat because he would sweat through his clothing… in the late 50s and early 60s” ([09:00] B).

4. Notable Miracles and Healing Stories

Richard shares several powerful testimonies from his father’s ministry:

• Willie Phelps' Healing: A young boy with metal braces and crutches walked without them overnight after Richard’s father prayed for him.

  “I'm supposed to be healed today” ([11:45] B).

• Deaf Children from a Local School: Every deaf child brought from a nearby school regained their hearing after being prayed for.

  “20 or 30 of them. All of them, every one of them got healed” ([13:25] B).

• Demon-Possessed Girl: A violent girl was freed from demonic possession through fearless prayer, showcasing the authority and power of faith:

  “She was too violent” ([14:35] B).

These stories illustrate the profound impact of faith and divine intervention in the healing process.

5. Influence of Kathryn Kuhlman on Richard Roberts

Richard credits Kathryn Kuhlman, a renowned healing evangelist, as a significant influence on his understanding of the Word of Knowledge and spiritual gifts:

“Kathryn was possibly the most anointed woman of God that I ever met” ([20:13] B).

He describes how her mentorship and teachings enriched his approach to ministry, emphasizing the importance of spiritual gifts in effective healing practices.

6. Richard Roberts’ Current Ministry and Teachings

Transitioning to his present work, Richard focuses on ministering to pastors and religious leaders worldwide. His teachings encompass:

• Healing Ministry Techniques: Including laying on of hands, praying with prayer cloths, and the use of anointing oil.
• Word of Knowledge: Utilizing divine insights to facilitate mass healings, as demonstrated in Kenya where a single word of knowledge resulted in 4,000 healings ([19:23] B).
• Seed Faith and Sowing Principles: Encouraging believers to invest time, resources, and prayers as seeds to reap spiritual and physical harvests:

  “Everything about us is a seed” ([24:06] B).

Richard shares his recent work in Cameroon, where he empowered 2,000 pastors from 14 French-speaking African nations with these principles, fostering a new generation of healers.

7. Seed Faith and the Principle of Sowing and Reaping

Richard delves deeper into the theology of sowing and reaping, illustrating its transformative power:

“When you put the seed in the ground, something supernatural happens. It's going to grow right through concrete” ([26:17] B).

He emphasizes that true harvests come from deliberate, faith-based actions rather than mere imagination, advocating for practical application of spiritual principles to overcome challenges like poverty.

8. Closing Prayer and Encouragement

In the closing segment, Richard offers a heartfelt prayer for listeners’ healing needs, reinforcing the message of faith and divine authority:

“According to Psalm 107:20… I send that word to you in Jesus name. Be healed and made whole. Amen” ([26:33] B).

Nancy encourages listeners to verbally receive the healing promise, solidifying the episode’s focus on active faith and personal empowerment through spiritual practices.

Notable Quotes

• Richard Roberts on Healing Revival:
  “You never knew when an eye was going to be healed, somebody was going to be healed of deafness, some cripple was going to take off running.” ([07:01] A)

• On Seed Faith:
  “Everything about us is a seed. Our love, our time, our money, our prayers, our smiles, our compassion. Everything about us is a seed.” ([24:06] B)

• Regarding Kathryn Kuhlman’s Influence:
  “Kathryn was possibly the most anointed woman of God that I ever met.” ([20:13] B)

• On Divine Authority in Healing:
  “I send that word to you in Jesus name. Be healed and made whole. Amen.” ([26:33] B)

Conclusion

Episode 081 of "Jesus the Healer" with Richard Roberts offers a profound exploration of a legacy enriched with faith, healing, and spiritual mentorship. Richard’s accounts of his father’s ministry, coupled with his own experiences and teachings, provide listeners with inspiring insights into the power of divine healing and the importance of nurturing spiritual gifts. The episode underscores the enduring impact of generational faith and the critical role of active, faith-driven participation in experiencing and imparting miracles.

For more insights and future episodes, listeners are encouraged to visit dufresneMinistries.org.