Heart to Heart Ministries is no longer operational after the passing of Minister Derek Claridge. However the teachings are still valid and I hope to include links to the sermons of Pastor Derek at some point. God bless you,
Mary.
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Heart to Heart Ministries was conceived in a `Where to from Here’ moment following Heart Transplant surgery. Derek had endured 24 years of chest pain
(Angina) associated with heart disease and at the time of surgery had approx 2 weeks to live. Derek and his wife Mary immigrated to Australia in 1968 and settled in Perth were they continued to worship in the Anglican Church. God used a business failure to relocate them to the Pilbara; it was there that a greater hunger for God began. Parallel to this was a growing awareness of health issues and an uncertain future for this family with two young children. It was the recognition as Christ as their personal Savior however that provided them with faith and a hope for the future. They were to see God move in many ways over the following years in their lives and the lives of others. One such provision was the appearance to Derek of an Angel. Drawn from his bed early one morning Derek opened the front door of their house to be confronted by an angelic visitor whose radiance and power was overwhelming. The angel uttered the simple but powerful words “You Are Healed”. Despite this visitation and being prayed for many times the chest pain continued which left them somewhat disillusioned and discouraged feeling their faith was not strong enough. It was at a meeting organized by the Anglican Minister in Port Hedland when an offer was made to pray for any present that were sick. Derek went forward for prayer. The Minister later testified it was his first tangible experience of the power of God, feeling he was being driven through the floor. They continued to see God move in many wonderful ways yet the angina persisted and over following years Derek underwent coronary bypass surgery with 6 grafts. The surgery gave relief for a few years but the pain returned and 8 years later saw him again in hospital having further grafts. Mary and Derek struggled at times, continuing to think maybe their faith wasn’t strong enough or there was Unforgiveness or sin preventing Derek’s healing. They bore the burden of it being “Their fault’ Mary, on her knees before God angry and confused received the Word “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. This was to be her sustaining scripture when Derek’s health continued to decline even though many Christians and leaders prayed for him over the years.. God used illness to draw Mary & Derek closer to Him and take them into Ministry. Derek went to Tabor Bible College when working was no longer an option where he achieved a Diploma in Charismatic ministry. They then went on to plant a Church in Cannington WA., The realization that God was working His purposes for the greater good of the Kingdom removed the burden of guilt. God eventually removed the pain through the hands of a surgeon at Royal Perth Hospital where a heart transplant was performed through the gift of an Organ donation. The basic aim of Heart To Heart Ministries is to show that whilst Gods Word establishes His Will to always heal, His wisdom may define the when and how. They hope by telling their story, to give encouragement and to liberate those who have debilitating illness and have lost their way in their Christian walk.
