Pastor urges 'desperate faith' in times of crisis and doubt

Pastor Tim Birdwell addressed students at Grand Canyon University on March 15, 2023, during a Chapel service. He spoke about the need for 'desperate faith' in times of personal and societal crisis, drawing from a biblical story of healing and doubt. Birdwell centred his sermon on Mark 9:14-29, where a father begs Jesus to heal his demon-possessed son. The disciples, who had cast out demons before, fail this time—leaving them confused and frustrated. Jesus responds by healing the boy and later explaining, 'This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.'

The father's plea, *'I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief,'* became a key focus. Birdwell linked this struggle to modern crises like infertility, job loss, terminal illness, and broader issues such as the opioid epidemic, racial division, and political polarisation. He argued that worship and healing, not endless argument, are the right responses. Quoting Martin Luther, Birdwell described faith as *'a living, bold trust in God's grace'*—one that requires total surrender of self-reliance. He stressed that true faith begins when people admit their own helplessness and turn to Christ.

Birdwell's message urged students to embrace faith even in doubt. He tied the biblical account to present-day struggles, reinforcing that prayer and trust in God remain essential. The sermon left students with a call to seek healing over conflict in both personal and public life.