Zion

22 September 2026

“But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’”

Luke 8:46 (NIV)

(Update written by Tammy's husband)

Across the street from the 450,000 square foot City of Hope Cancer Center in Zion, Illinois is a 124 year-old mansion with twenty-five rooms built by John Alexander Dowie. It was built at a cost of $90,000 at a time when an average home cost $1,500. Dowie, a Scottish-Australian faith healer and self-proclaimed “Elijah the Restorer,” founded the city of Zion in 1900 as a Christian utopia. He believed physicians, drugs, and even surgeries were contrary to biblical principles and taught that “Jesus came to make His people rich.” He also proclaimed that Jesus healed everyone He met.          

For the nine months leading up to our coming to Zion, literally thousands of people from dozens of countries have prayed for Tammy, in person and from afar. Even in the midst of great persecution, believers from a house church in Iran spent a special time praying for her. From Brazil, the country that has replaced South Korea as the number two missions sending country in the world, friends have interceded for her. Our dear friends in Oregon held a significant gathering for us and gathered around Tammy while putting their hands on her for healing. All of this and more, like those who called to pray for her or sent cards, gifts, and handwritten prayers, was done on our behalf, yet the tumor continued to grow. 

While many others prayed over the nine months, we did too. Over the course of our journey we met with five oncologists at five different centers, all the while asking for His leading and wisdom. Our journey also included a wholistic treatment strategy with numerous therapies like red light, hyperbaric chamber, IV Vitamin C, sauna blanket, natural immunotherapy shots, dozens of supplements, and a very regimented diet. We met many people doing the same treatment strategy with stage 4 cancer who had their tumors disappear. And yet, Tammy’s tumor only continued to grow. 

As I sit and write this update in the cancer center today, I’m in a building full of doctors from all over the world (China, India, Britain, and others) who are treating hundreds of patients like Tammy. Her stage 3 cancer has so far required twenty-five external radiation treatments, five infusions of chemotherapy, and three doses of immunotherapy that as of last week have shrunk the tumor by nearly 70 percent. Today, in fact, we began a series of four internal, high dose radiation treatments intended to kill off what little remains of the tumor. 

Despite what we may have been led to believe, Jesus did not heal every sick person He encountered. How many ill were gathered at the pool of Bethesda? How many ill were on the hillside at the feeding of the 5,000? When the eager crowd pressed around Him as the desperate woman touched the hem of his garment, how many other ailments were present within His reach that day? Jesus still heals today—mentally, emotionally, and even physically—but, for reasons in the master plan of the Father, certainly not everyone, not always on our timetable, and, in our case, not the way we thought He would. He was more interested in shaping our hearts than a painless path. 

Ironically, the founder of Zion, Illinois died after a stroke only seven years into the development of his theocratic refuge. He was deposed from leading his utopia after only five years when bankruptcy from corruption and mismanagement was revealed. His mansion still stands across the street as a cautionary reminder to those who errantly think they can bring the kingdom of God to earth by clever sales tactics, political control, or promises of perfection on earth. We are incredibly blessed today to be sitting on this side of the street.  

Written by Tammy’s husband

Edited by Mia Atteberry