Healing and Revival

"God's Healing In The Lutheran Church"

Alton Herbert Mjorud was born August 26, 1910 to Johan Petter (John Peter) and Magna Josefine (Melleby) Mjorud. Although his first name was Alton he would go by his middle name of Herbert throughout his life. His father and mother were both born in Norway. His father's family found that John Peter was uncontrollable so they sent him to America in 1904 in hopes he would get his life together. John Peter went to the wild west of San Francisco but ended up becoming an alcoholic in the local saloons. He then headed for Alaska, following the gold but settled on becoming a fisherman. After making some money he returned to Norway and married his sweetheart Magna. but he could not settle down. He built a fishing boat and took his family of four children and his wife to head for Alaska once again. They settled in Petersburg, Alaska a heavily Norwegian community.

Herb had a difficult childhood growing up. John Peter was a demanding and abusive father and husband. Herb described him as self-centered and psychotic, often striking his wife and children for no reason. Herb would say that although it was a difficult situation in which to grow up his father gave him one important skill, the ability to fish in Alaska. That skill would carry him through the process of receiving three college degrees. He would fish in the summer and make enough money to live on for the rest of the year. It was something he would be grateful for many years.

Herb attended the University of Washington in 1930. He paid his way by buying a boat and fishing all summer and then selling the boat at the end of the season. He threw himself into his studies and school's rowing team. His team won the national championship in 1933. Herb would work four hours a day in the school laundry to support himself. He took 5 hours of classes and then would row for hours after school. Once done then he would study for the rest of the evening and start again the next day. He had no contact with religion. Although he had been baptized as a baby in the Lutheran church, his family rarely attended. Herb would describe himself as an agnostic. In fact he would often argue against the existence of God. Surprisingly one of the instructors was leaving the University and told his classes that without Christ life would be hollow and without value. Although Herb disagreed with the statement a seed had been planted that would continue to work on him. He did not recognize the beginning of conviction but it was there.

Herb graduated in 1933 and returned to Alaska to fish for the summer. While there he met Gundhild Anderson who was working in the general store in Port Alexander, Alaska. She was a native Norwegian who had emigrated with her family as a child. They began to date and as their relationship became serious Gundhild pressed Herb on whether he believed in God. Although his response was that he did not the couple agreed that if they married Gundhild could bring their children up in the Lutheran church. It was of supreme importance to her as she had been converted as a child. The couple married and Herb was accepted to the University of Washington Law school in 1934. In 1935 the couple's son, Alton, was born. The Mjoruds returned to Alaska so Herb could fish through the summer. A major problem arose however, Alton became very ill and was close to death. Gundhild and Alton flew to Seattle for emergency surgery. Herb in despair threw himself on his bed and cried out "if there is a God, help us." Alton did survive the surgery and began to thrive. He found himself thanking God for the miracle. However, the feelings soon passed and Herb slid back into agnosticism. Herb took the year off from school and worked to pay off the medical debts that accrued due to Alton's illness. He returned to law school and graduated in 1938.

Herb went into business with a classmate and set up a law practice in Seattle. Since it would take years to become financially established the men agreed that Herb would continue to fish in the summer to support his family. The couple had their second son Douglas in 1940. Everything seemed to be set into place until 1941. One day Herb's sister Jane came to his law office. She was radiant. She told him that some missionaries had led her to a personal relationship with Christ. He thought she had gone over the edge religiously. Jane gave him a clear presentation of the gospel and invited Herb to be saved. Herb rejected the invitation. Conviction stirred in Herb's heart once again. He describes hearing his sister's words over and over in his mind. Intellectually he believed it was just superstition but in his heart he felt a pulling from God to believe. His sister visited the Mjoruds a couple of weeks later. Once again she shared the gospel with Herb. He became angry and told her if she could not talk about something else he wanted her to leave and not return. When Herb went to bed that night the phrase "you must be born again" played over and over in his mind. He fought it and thought it was crazy. Yet the words would rise up whenever Herb stopped being busy. The Holy Spirit was convicting him and like the fish he caught he fought it the entire way. Then his mother began to write him and say that she also had been saved and she was praying for him.

One night Herb had a dream. In the dream he was driving with his wife and child and there came a great shaking. Buildings began to crumble around them and collapse. Herb cried out "Gundhild, this is a warning from God." He woke up but was in an emotional state. Herb paced the floor and heard the words from his sister Jane over and over again. In the morning he told his wife they needed to go to church and find out what all this meant. Gundhild agreed. They began a round of church visiting but finally settled on a Lutheran church with a Norwegian pastor who preached from the bible in a way that seemed clear to Herb. The pastor sermons brought conviction to Herb, and yet he had not made the final step of faith. His logical and legal mind kept telling him it wasn't true. The family attended the church for six months. Herb went through classes twice on what it meant to become a Christian. Slowly the Word began to permeate his heart and he knew he was going to have to make a decision. Herb stayed up late one night and prayed in a way he had never prayed before. He declared himself a sinner and accepted Christ. He spent hours repenting of every sin he could remember. Herb was later to say it took a long time! The suddenly he was surrounded by a bright light. All his shame and guilt passed away and he was filled with the love of God and incredible peace. He could only tell God that he loved Him and thank Him for His presence.

Shortly after his salvation Herb's pastor asked him to lead a Bible study. He couldn't understand how the pastor would ask that since he was so newly saved. Although Herb tried to reject the offer his pastor told him "God will be your sufficiency" and he agreed. Later Herb would say it was the first step into full time ministry and if he'd realized it at the time he would have considered even longer. He was soon elected a church deacon. When Herb questioned it his pastor told him "God has called you. He knows you better than your own qualifications." Clearly those around Herb saw his heart for God and his leadership qualities. Herb decided to know the Bible in a much greater way. The Lutheran Denomination opened a Bible Institute in Seattle as a branch of their main school in Minneapolis. One of the teachers spoke at Herb's church and he was stunned by the clear teaching of the Word. Herb felt God tugging on his heart but did not know how he could go to Bible school and continue his practice in order to support his family. He decided to attend part time in the mornings and keep his practice open the rest of the day.

Herb became so consumed with learning the Word that he turned over his cases to a fellow lawyer. After a single semester he decided to go to Bible school full time. Herb began to be burdened for the lost in Seattle. He wasn't sure how to approach reaching them. The pastor of Herb's church met with him and they created a strategy for reaching people in Seattle for Christ. They set up a door to door campaign with follow-up teams. The program was a great success. People flowed into the church and the church became alive with the move of God. Herb could still depend on income from summer fishing in Alaska to keep his family supplied while he was doing the ministry in the church of evangelism, bible studies, and studying God's Word. In Herb's second year at Bible school God began to speak to him about becoming a full-time evangelist. Since the only full time evangelistic work Herb knew was available was mission he struggled with the call. He wasn't interested in going overseas into a different culture. In the end after wrestling with God Herb declared "Everything I am and have is yours. I am willing to do your will no matter what - even if it means becoming a missionary!" Once Herb made the decision he found out that he would have to attend the Lutheran Theological Seminary for three more years in order to be considered for a missionary position.

The Mjoruds sold their house and moved to St. Paul. Minnesota to attend Theological Seminary. Herb kept his fishing boat and continued to fish in the summer to support his family. During the summer God would lead him to areas where other people were not fishing and he would catch amazing numbers of fish. It got to the point where other boats would try to follow so that they could also receive a bountiful harvest. At one point when he and his partner struggled to find fish the Lord spoke to Herb and told him to cast his lines over the right side of the boat and he would catch fish. Since Jesus had spoken directions to Peter in the same way Herb and his partner lowered the lines. Even though none of the usual signs of fish schools were present and they were in very deep-water Herb did as the Lord directed and dropped the fishing lines. All the lines began snapping with fish on them. Because the water was deep the fish were unusually large. Their catch that day was four times the amount they usually got. Truly God was teaching Herb the importance of listening to His voice while catching fish in the natural. That day Herb and his partner caught 153 fish, the same number Peter caught when the Lord told him to drop his net in the bible. It was an amazing confirmation to Herb of God's miraculous provision for him in his obedience to follow Christ's voice.

Theological Seminary turned out to be very different than Herb had expected. The Bible school he had attended was full of life and focused on the living experiential move and Word of God. Seminary was dry and seemed to dissect the Word rather than embrace it. Within a short time Herb felt he was fighting for his faith. His assigned readings were books that questioned his faith or outright stood against it. Herb was shocked and dismayed. Rather than bring life to him the seminary filled him with doubt and unbelief. In the middle of the second year Herb wanted to return to Seattle where God was so present for him. One night Herb sat with his bible and read story after story of the scriptures like a drowning man. Suddenly the room filled with the tangible presence of God. Doubts and fear melted away. Herb was once more assured of God's love and presence. Every day after that Herb would make sure to spend personal time with God to be filled and refilled. This process sustained Herb for his remaining time at seminary and trained him for future ministry.

Although Herb felt a strong call to go back to the northwest part of the country his first church was the one he'd been serving in as an interim pastor in Minneapolis. Herb immediately started a door to door evangelism campaign and his little church began to thrive. Herb was surprised to receive a letter from a church in Anchorage, Alaska asking him to come and be their pastor. He struggled with the decision since he'd felt a strong call to the northwest, but he did not want to leave the church he'd been at such a short time. Once again Herb set himself to pray and seek God. He spent the day in prayer and about midnight he felt the assurance he was supposed to lead the church in Alaska. He was filled by the peace and presence of God. Herb was also entering into the understanding of the importance of the Holy Spirit to highlight scriptures and lead him in his ministry. While in Anchorage Herb felt the leading to specifically ask for the infilling of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide him. Although there were no lightning bolts from heaven Herb's ministry began to change from that time forward. His messages changed from defending the gospel to proclaiming the living power of the gospel. He was also filled with a new compassion for people and the love of God toward them. Conviction began to fall in Herb's church and repentance and changed lives became the norm.

Herb spent much of his time praying for and counseling alcoholics. The alcoholism rate in Alaska is higher than any other state in the nation. He was seeing people set free as he prayed for them. Slowly God began to show Herb that he could pray for the sick in the same way that he prayed for alcoholics. God impressed him with the scripture that "you shall lay hands on the sick and they will recover." A man came to his office to repent of his sins and accept Christ. After doing so he informed Herb he had a pinched nerve in his neck and wanted prayer for healing. Herb was taken aback but agreed. When Herb prayed the man was instantly healed. The man left rejoicing but Herb was shocked! About a year later Herb and Gundhild met with a couple whose son was in the hospital with double pneumonia. After praying the boy was improved immediately and a collapsed lung was miraculously inflated. Then a man with a heart condition contacted Herb to let him know the doctors only gave him a couple of months to live. He asked Herb to call the elders and anoint him with oil as directed in James 5:14. Herb had never held a healing service but called the elders and prayed for the man. He was instantly healed of his heart condition and it was confirmed by two heart specialists. Although these three events challenged Herb but he wasn't ready to believe that healing was available to all. Still God was beginning to stretch his faith.

During an evangelistic meeting at his church God highlighted Isaiah 55:5 to Herb "Behold you shall call nations you know not and nations you knew not shall run to you because of the Lord your God and the Holy one of Israel, for He has glorified you." He didn't know what it meant until he received a letter requesting he become an evangelist for the Lutheran denomination. He had received this request twice and turned it down but the third time he felt impressed by God to take the position. Herb moved back to Minneapolis and began his itinerant ministry. He spoke in churches, evangelistic meetings, and Bible camps. He asked people to accept Christ and repent of their sins. He received both positive and negative reactions from pastors. Some believing altars calls were not required in Lutheran churches. Often after Herb left the revivals he left behind diminished and disappeared under the weight of tradition.

About this time the charismatic renewal was breaking out in many traditional churches across the country. Miracles were being reported in renewal meetings. Herb turned to the Bible seeking God's guidance. He realized he had formed his understanding based on denominational doctrines but not the word of God! In 1962 the director of the American Lutheran Church Evangelists held a meeting to report on what he had seen in the renewal meetings, including many healings and miracles. The next week Herb was holding a meeting in Seattle the home base of Dennis Bennet Episcopal Church which was in renewal. He decided to attend a meeting to see for himself what was happening. Herb ended up receiving prayer and asking for all the gifts of the Spirit. Although Herb had a feeling of the fire of God upon him he did not see any outward sign of change. Several weeks later he realized he could speak in tongues.

The next evangelistic meeting Herb held really changed his view of the gifts of the Spirit. After the meetings Herb and the church pastor were visiting members when a startling event occurred. When they knocked on the door of a local farmer he answered with the announcement his wife was having a heart attack. The pastors prayed and Herb felt an unction to command healing into her. She immediately became well and all pain disappeared. She testified in the evening service of her remarkable healing. A missionary who had returned from overseas begged for help from overwhelming fear. Herb felt a demonic presence and cast it out. The woman was transformed before his eyes. From that time on Herb saw healings and miracles in all of his meetings. In one meeting a woman died and Herb prayed for her and she was instantly resurrected.

Unfortunately, not all pastors agreed with the new empowering of the Holy Spirit. An anti-renewal spirit rose up within the denomination. A group of pastors wrote up charges of heresy against Herb and sent them to his director. He was shocked. His director told him to be careful and not promote the gifts of the Holy Spirit in his meetings. Herb returned to more traditional evangelistic services with a heavy heart. However, accusations continued to follow him, many patently false. These accusations eventually led to a meeting with the evangelistic staff. Herb was given an ultimatum - stop teaching about and using charismatic gifts or get out. Herb refused, knowing his position with his denomination would be terminated. He was called before the council of the American Lutheran Church to defend himself. The council unanimously voted to remove Herb from his position in 1965.

Shortly after his termination Herb began to receive calls to hold meetings from interdenominational groups and more open Lutheran churches. His termination turned out to be a blessing. He felt a freedom to move in the gifts of the Spirit in his meetings. He created the Mjorud Evangelistic Association and more doors opened to him across the United States. After one meeting a man prophesied that Herb would begin to travel the world. That word was a confirmation of what God had already spoken to Herb and he was elated. God had closed the door to his denomination but opened it to the world! Herb received a request to travel with a Full Gospel Businessmen's group to 39 cities across the globe. God miraculously provided the finances. Herb would go on to hold eight world-wide tours. He saw thousands saved and healed.

In 1973 Herb was remarkably changed when he and a ministry partner attended an evangelistic meeting by Evangelist Argenmiro from Brazil that was held in Sri Lanka. Argenmiro plastered the city with notices to bring the deaf and dumb to the meeting. At the end of the meeting Argenmiro prayed for the deaf and dumb. 40 were instantly healed. Many had been deaf and dumb since birth. The next night Argenmiro called for the blind to be brought. 20,000 people came to the meeting. Many blind people were instantly healed. By the last night of the meetings 60,000 people attended and many miracles were reported. Herb and his partner were electrified. They had to split up to hold separate meetings but Herb's partner decided to believe God for the same things. Before the next meeting in Jaffra Sri Lanka he called the deaf and dumb forward for prayer. All 18 who came forward were healed. At the next meeting 14 children from the deaf and dumb school were brought to the meeting and every one of them were healed. Local evangelists were also stirred and began to see miraculous healings as well. When Herb returned to Sri Lanka he partnered with one of the local evangelists seeing miracles. Herb began to see a new level and quantity of miracles he had never seen before.

While traveling and ministering Herb began to feel unwell. He was eventually diagnosed with a parasite and he thought that his troubles were over. Then he was diagnosed with cancer and he surgery to remove it. Herb and his wife prayed and fasted when the results came back of further cancer. God spoke however and told him "no more surgery." Herb and many others prayed. Upon retesting the cancer was completely gone. This pattern reoccurred multiple times total in Herb's life. He would be diagnosed with cancer, receive treatment, be healed and then it would pop up again. He had to stand on his faith and the word of God through seemingly insurmountable odds. He went through three surgeries and chemotherapy and radiation all the while standing on the promises from the bible. In 1980 Herb was diagnosed with lymphoma and the cancer was found to be throughout his whole body. He was sent home to die. Herb continued to cry out to God even when he lost his voice. One day God spoke to him and said "Spend three days in prayer and praise and on the third day I will do something." Although he couldn't speak he listened to his favorite worship album over and over for three days. On the third day God spoke to him again. "Do what I did to the fig tree in Mark 11." Herb cursed the cancer. His voice returned immediately and he began to eat. When he went to the doctor a few days later the cancer was completely gone. In 1981 Herb was once again hit with cancer. He was sent home to die once more. He continued to pray and seek God. One day God spoke to him and said "I will restore you to health and heal your wounds." Once again Herb was completely healed. He stayed healed for the rest of his life. It's hard to understand why God allowed Herb to go through 5 bouts of cancer. Still his life was a walking testimony of the miraculous power of God when man's attempts to heal were used up. He never gave up on faith in God's goodness or the healing power of Christ. He continued to pray for people in his home into his 80s. He died June 15, 1999 at 88 years old.

Herb wrote three books. The first book published in 1975 was sold under two different titles, "Dare to Believe" and "Your Authority to Believe." The second book published in 1978 was "What's Baptism All About." The final book "Fighting Cancer with Christ" was published in 1983 after his healing from cancer was completed. Herb spent his life committed to sharing the full gospel. He traveled to 23 countries and had a major impact in Sri Lanka. Under circumstances that would have crushed many, Herb stood on the love of God and the scriptures for himself and for many others to be healed.