Healing and Hope Mark a New Season in Sparta — Winter 2025

This summer was a fruitful time of outreach, evangelism, and ministry. That momentum of God moving and working in the folks here did not stop when summer transitioned into fall. In mid-September, the Sparta congregation attended the Midwest Pioneer Rally in Carbondale, IL in which Pastors Richard Rubi and Rich Cox delivered timely messages that were convicting and encouraging.

Following the rally, September ended with the saints faithfully attending church, giving tithes and offerings, and doing what God has called his people to do.

In October, several of the area churches had revivals that the members of the Sparta church went to. During these revivals, a couple of the people from Sparta received words from the evangelists, were prayed for regarding healing, and heard incredible preaching that, like the rally, was convicting and encouraging. It was such a blessing for 18 Sparta to be a part of these revivals and support fellow workers in the Midwest.

Sparta had its own revival in October with Evangelist Ralph Blanco. It was an amazing time of God moving powerfully in peoples’ lives! Evangelist Blanco prayed for people who needed healing in their eyesight, allergies and asthma, and diabetes. He also prayed for people who had pain in their bodies. Several miracles were witnessed each night of this revival.

One lady in the church had her eyesight so incredibly touched that she no longer has to wear her glasses! Several people testified of leg and back pain Evangelist Ralph Blanco ministers re in Sparta, Illinois completely gone! One woman testified of how, after Evangelist Blanco prayed for her back, all pain left. She was able to talk to people after church and stand the entire time. Prior to that night, standing that much after the service would have been painful for this woman.

Other miracles of this revival involved finances, pay raises, and jobs. One man testified of getting a job interview for a job that would be closer to town and that would pay better. He got the job! Another man testified of receiving a substantial check in the mail that was not expected. God is so good and the Sparta church is grateful for the powerful moving of His holy spirit during this revival!

Immediately after the revival, the Sparta Potter’s House put on a Trunkor-Treat for Halloween that saw many visitors come and get witnessed to. The next event on the church’s outreach agenda is the annual Sparta Christmas Lights Parade. The saints are excited for the float they are preparing and the time of evangelism in this parade.

As the year comes to a close, the Sparta saints look forward to what God has planned and will continue to stay the course, preaching and evangelizing to the community of Sparta, IL.