Earl C. Houck is senior pastor of Central United Methodist Church in Spokane, Washington. His ministry includes people in all walks of life but most often involves troubled individuals in the inner city. His church has opened its doors to groups as varied as the local Alliance for the Mentally Ill and the Russian Pentecostal congregation, consisting largely of recent arrivals from Europe who are learning to adjust to their new homeland.
Rev. Mr. Houck began his ministry forty years ago as a minister of music in Methodist churches in western New York State. His special interests, in addition to music, include working with young people on youth missions and in camp settings, and the various elements of pastoral ministry to all ages. He recently shared his views on Christian healing and related subjects with Richard A Mather, a Christian Scientist friend. Mr. Mather is a contributing editor to The Christian Science Journal and the Christian Science Sentinel.
Richard Mather: In addition to eternal salvation, the gospel has always offered practical ideas for meeting and healing specific needs in people's daily lives. I know that John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, was very interested in such healing. Tell us about his approach.
