Westlife 'Cancer cure' course

Pastor Bill Johnson.

A SCHOOL of the Supernatural has opened in Springfield, claiming to teach Ipswich residents how to cure cancer through prayer.

Westlife Church, which counts Hillsong Church amongst its evangelical family, is running the six-month course for the first time this year.

Seventy people have enrolled in the School of the Supernatural.

Participants who complete the course are told they will be able to perform miracles through prayer, such as helping couples who can't conceive fall pregnant, healing broken bones and even curing cancer.

The course is based on the controversial teachings of fundamentalist pastor Bill Johnson who runs the enormous Bethel Church in California.

The pastor speaks to Ipswich students through a series of DVDs.

Bethel's members purport to have the ability to bring the dead back to life.

Westlife Church's website states: “Supernatural schools are designed to equip students to ‘live and do' in the supernatural through biblical teaching and practical application.

“This is an environment where people can take risks in learning to operate in the supernatural without fear of rejection or failure.”

School of the Supernatural director, Cherylyn Collett, said Ipswich students had shown great promise in their ability to physically heal.

“Our course is based on Bible scripture. The course teaches students to live outside the box and listen to what God really has to say,” Mrs Collett said.

“God fills the minds of our students with pictures and that helps them heal others physically.

“We are not out to convert anyone or preach.

“Our students are taught to transform the atmosphere around them but to do so in an accepting way.

“Some Churches in the past have had agendas and have not been real with their congregation. This is real.”

Mrs Collett said the course did not teach students how to “speak in tongues”, but she would discuss the technique with pupils if asked.

Westlife Church has contributed immensely to Ipswich's recovery since January's flood disaster.

Westlife Church manager Yvonne Baker said several miracles had been performed at their church this year and it was hoped those who completed the School of Supernatural course would increase the number physical healings.

Mrs Collett attended Bill Johnson's Bethel Church several years ago to have her chronically ill son healed at their School of Supernatural Ministry.

When it worked within two days, she said she felt obliged to bring the Bethel teachings back to Australia.

But Bethel Church has come under severe criticism.

Pastor Johnson has claimed angel feathers have fallen in his church.

The church even claims to heal physical ailments over the internet through the use of Skype.