Artist-advocates promote faith in God’s healing power

(FROM LEFT) LEDESMA, CRUZ AND FUENTES. Ardent commitment.

People who think they have acclaimed singing star Kuh Ledesma all figured out have another think coming.

In the past, Kuh was focused on her singing and acting careers, her family and her paintings, which have elicited similarly favorable reactions. Today, however, she’s adjusted her priorities and is more focused on her spiritual healing advocacy, which is taking up most of her time and ardent commitment.

As a driving force of the God’s Perfect Love outreach team of dedicated Christian artists, ministry workers and businessmen, she vivifies the vision-mission of “sharing real life messages and testimonies about God’s perfect love, made known through the gospel of Jesus Christ through a combination of nondenominational conferences and concerts, bringing about healing and transformation in every aspect of life.”

—Exalted words, but the Perfect Love advocates actualize them this year by way of a conference-concert tour of the country, starting on Sept. 10 in Cagayan de Oro City. The uplifting, healing and transformative twin events will be held at the Lim Ket Kai Mall, with the conference unreeling from 1 to 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 8-10 p.m.

Insights, testimonies

Joining Kuh in the conference portion are Rita Gonzalez, Cathy and Mel Po, Peter Kairuz and other speakers and sharers whose insights and testimonies will enhance and empower people’s faith in the healing and transformative power of the gospel.

Performing with Kuh in the concert following the conference are Ray-An Fuentes, Tirso Cruz III, Isabella, Carlo Orosa, Nanette Inventor and other committed musical artists.

After Cagayan de Oro (call 0997 381-2765 for details), the outreach ministry flies to General Santos on Oct. 1 (0921 527-9279), Davao on Oct. 2 (0922 890-0842) and Cebu on Oct. 8 (0917 321-1178).

To get a preview of how the conference-concert tour will shape up, we recently talked to Kuh, Rita, Cathy and Mel, who shared the roots of their involvement in spiritual healing. Kuh intimated that she had a life-threatening medical crisis 20 years ago that helped open her “spiritual eyes,” led her to scriptures on healing, and firmed up her belief that the gospel has power.

Forgiveness is the key

The keys to spiritual healing, she shared, are to surrender, trust in God’s power and love, rise above all resentments, and forgive.

For her part, Rita’s faith in the healing power of God enabled her to survive Stage 4 cancer without resorting to surgery, chemotherapy and other medical interventions. It was by no means an easy process, but her unswerving focus in God’s perfect and healing love saw her through.

As for the Po couple’s shared testimony, it is of particular illumination for spouses who encounter severe tests and trials in marriage. They will talk on “restoration after separation,” and candidly reveal how, against all odds, they made their sundered marital union whole once more.

The severe tests and trials included faithlessness, loss of hope, suicidal thoughts, drugs, rehab and other challenges that were dauntingly difficult to overcome. But, inspired by God’s own total and unconditional love, they remembered that they had made a solemn vow to love and cherish one another in good times and in bad. These were the really bad times, so why should they give up the struggle and break their vow?

As we talk to Kuh and her friends, a recurring theme emerges: Spiritual healing isn’t easy; there may be times when we feel like we’re taking one step forward, then two steps back. But, God wants us to be healed, so His love will empower seekers and believers, and see them through.

We believe that it is this honest and realistic tenor in the group’s testimonies that will enable them to “connect” with audiences on their first national tour.

All too often, people in the throes of extreme difficulty are turned off by excessively facile solutions to their daunting woes and tribulations. They respond more deeply and empathetically to insights from sharers  who’ve gone through the gauntlet, stumbled along the way, but in the end joined hands and hearts with God to achieve physical and spiritual healing.

Performers

Finally, the fact that some of the advocacy’s movers, sharers and inspirers are performers enables the healing ministry to tap into music’s own soothing, healing and transformative power.

In addition, the popularity of the performer-sharers results in an even bigger groundswell of interest and support, which is why the Cagayan de Oro launch is being held in a venue that can accommodate many hundreds of spiritual seekers.

Especially persuasive is the realization that these are very busy performers, and yet they value their mission-vision and the many people eager to connect and listen to them that they have made time to speak and sing about God’s powerful, empowering and healing love.