By Dr. Bob Crick
I know all of you have been praying for Dr. John Nichols, CEO of The Lazarus Foundation, and previous Care Ministries Division Executive Director. A better way to identify Dr. Nichols is as the “grandfather” of our Church of God Care Ministries. Care pulsates throughout his mind and heart; and his call to touch a world in need has powerfully impacted the Church.
About a year ago, John was given the news that he had a very rare form of cancer that could possibly take his life and/or require years of treatment. Through a miracle, John was received as a patient at one of the most renowned cancer centers in the world, the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. He was told up front that his form of cancer was not only rare, but incurable. John knew that while man has a word when it comes to medical treatment, God has the “final word.” John had determined that while being faithful to a sophisticated medical plan, he and a host of friends and supporters would ultimately depend on a loving and redemptive Lord.
The treatment program was long, tedious and painful. It included more than 100 hours of chemotherapy. After that treatment, which seemed to be working, the doctors decided that, with this form of cancer, the lymph nodes should be removed. This decision came after many other surgeries and treatment programs.
Prior to this last surgery, John did what he had always done in previous critical moments…called his family to his bedside to give them the assurance that “all was well with his soul.” After consultation and prayer with the family, he asked the family members to leave the room so he could meet privately with his primary doctor, Dr. Pettiway. He told Dr. Pettiway that he was ready for the surgery, and gave testimony of his faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ. He said to the doctor, “I want you to know that all is well with me; and if something happens during the surgery that is going to remove all quality of life, please let me go; I am ready!” The doctor assured him he was in good hands with the best medical services available. John asked permission to pray for Dr. Pettiway. In his prayer, he gave thanks for the wonderful medical staff at M. D. Anderson; and asked a special blessing upon Dr. Pettiway, whose hands would relieve suffering of thousands to come under his care.
When the operation was completed, with the family present, the doctor entered the room with “smiles.” He told John how much he appreciated his faith; that he was also a man of faith, and that he prayed for every patient before every medical procedure. He gave him the good news that they only found one small cancer cell in the examination of his body, which was removed. In previous examinations, cancer had been present in his lungs, liver, stomach and other parts of his body. With the removal of that one shrinking cell, by the grace of God, Dr. Nichols was “cancer free.” Dr. Pettiway turned and looked at John’s family, making the comment, “You are one blessed man!” Everyone in the room enthusiastically agreed.
Obviously, Dr. Nichols – as is his style – told me that if I write an article of this nature, he is not to be lifted up; but that the One who is our Redeemer and Healer is to receive the glory. During this long ordeal, Dr. Nichols embraced Psalm 119:17, “I will not die, but live, and will proclaim what God has done!”
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John Nichols speaks at the 2006 Conference on Care in Atlanta. |