What is Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry (HTSM)?

 

Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry is a relaxing, nurturing, holistic mind body therapy that facilitates health and healing with a Christian perspective. Grounded in Scripture and based on the teachings of Jesus to the disciples, laying on of hands in prayer and anointing with essential oil during the Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Sessions focus on bringing God’s healing grace and light into the person’s life and assists in balancing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being of a person to support the body's natural ability to self heal.  It is safe and appropriate for all ages and backgrounds. It is not meant to diagnose or replace professional medical care but can work in harmony and support.

 

Where is Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Practiced?

HTSM grew out of the Healing Touch Program founded by Janet Mentgen, RN in 1989 and is used in a variety of settings including hospitals, churches, long term care, hospices, retreat centers, spas and private practices for nurses, massage therapists, healthcare professionals, ministers and lay persons. Currently Healing Touch and HTSM have spread internationally
and is being taught in universities, medical and nursing schools and other settings. For more information, please see the Resources page.

 

 

How can Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Benefit?

The goals and benefits of HTSM is the restoration of harmony and balance in a person’s physiology which promotes self healing and wellness. It does not require a religious orientation to be effective, though many studies have found that coming from a religious connected intention, facilitates greater healing in the recipient.  Understanding the way the body responds to mind body therapies such as prayer, laying on of hands and use of essential oils provides the fundamentals of how healing occurs.  First the body relaxes, this relaxation response releases endorphins in the brain which then relax the muscles.  Relaxed muscles provide more space between cells which then provided increased circulation and blood flow which elevates oxygen levels throughout the body.

• Accelerated blood flow allows nutrients to be absorbed more efficiently

• Enzymes build for proper digestion.

• Hormones regulate to strengthen the body’s constitution.

• Toxins release from the body.

• Healthy cells begin to regenerate.

• A sense of well-being is established which promotes healing.

• When the body has a stable physiology, the immune system regulates. The resulting stability within the immune system then positively affects the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual facets of the body’s energy field supporting self-healing!  Pretty awesome!

 

Example results which can vary per individual:

• reduces stress, calms anxiety & depression

• decreases pain

• balancing of energy centers

• care for neck and back problems

• strengthens the immune system

• pre and post surgery support

• supports cancer care

• easing of acute and chronic conditions

• creates a sense of well-being

• deepening spiritual connection

• and MORE!

 

What is Laying-On of Hands?

Laying on of hands is an ancient form of healing or mind body therapy that dates to the beginning of Judeo-Christian times. It involves using one’s hands and one’s whole being as an instrument of God’s healing grace.  It's origins are firmly rooted in the scriptures and the traditions of the early church.  Nearly half of the healings in the Gospels involve touching. Jesus held children, washed feet, touched blind eyes and deaf ears, crippled limbs and dead bodies. He touched men, women, children and the most untouchable such as lepers and sinners. Jesus taught his disciples to heal and empowered them to go out and carry out his ministry.
 

““He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.”
Luke 9:1-6
"He told them to 'cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons.'"
Matt. 10:5-10
“Then Peter and John laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 8:17
“And so it happened that the father of Publius lay sick in bed with fever and dysentery.
Paul visited him and cured him by praying and putting his hands on him.”
Acts 28:8
“And these signs will accompany those who believe . . .
they will lay their hands on the sick and they will recover.”
Mark 16.18

 

We cannot overlook the faith element in the laying-on of hands, one’s faith can be a powerful part of their healing - but it is not required for benefits. Studies show that comatose patients as well as newborns, elderly, animals and plants can benefit.

 

Anointing with Healing Oils

From the Judeo –Christian tradition, we learn that the act of anointing signified a sacred connection to God was being made. The oil was a symbol of the healing power of the Divine breaking through into the lives of the people. It was a unique blessing from God that
was at once healing and sustaining. The early church used oils of their day known for healing properties. These are the medicines of the earth and have been used for thousands of years to promote physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing and are still used in our homes, churches and rituals today.

 

“He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over the unclean spirits . They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil

many who were sick and cured them.”
Mark 6:7-13

“If anyone among you is ill, let him call in the elders of the church and they must anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord and pray over him. The prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up again; and if he has committed any sins, he will be forgiven. So confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, and this will cure you.”
James 5:14-16

 

 

IMPORTANT

Laying- on of hands and anointing with oil during the Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Sessions are meant to bring God’s healing grace and light into the person’s life. The work is intended to be in harmony with any other healing work that the individual may undertake, including traditional medicine. It is not meant to replace seeing a physician or other medical professional.