Prayer is requested for Michigan District Superintendent John Seaman, who was hospitalized this week in Tennessee while visiting family.

A member of the Church of the Nazarene’s General Board and a former missionary, Seaman continues to undergo tests to determine appropriate treatment.

The following statement was released Thursday by the Seaman family:

Wonderfully encouraging news today and answers to your faithful prayers! John is breathing on his own, and he is off the ventilator! He is responsive, communicating, AND funny! Yesterday, we were not at all sure that would happen, and we are praising the Lord! John has been through so much, and he really needs to rest. At this point he only knows that he has had some seizures, that they seem to be under control, and that he is doing well, for which we are praising God. 

Our son, Lauren, and daughter, Ketly, and their spouses and children are all here. Kendra and Chuck arrive this afternoon. We are asking for special prayer for Kendra. She is very vulnerable to seizures herself these days, and this crisis with her dad has been very difficult for her, so please pray the Lord will protect her during this stressful time. 

We will be needing to make some critical decisions in the next couple of days as to further treatment. We are deeply grateful for your prayers and can testify to God's very specific answers! We are confident in the truth of one of our family's life verses: Proverbs 3:5-6! Keep praying for a miracle knowing that above all, we want what God wants!

John was elected superintendent of the Michigan District in 2003. Prior to serving as district superintendent, he and his wife, Linda, served as missionaries to Martinique and Côte d'Ivoire from 1976 to 2003.

More information will be posted as it is released.