San Quentin Rehabilitation Center hosted Christian Science practitioner Mark McCurties from Ann Arbor, Michigan, to speak with residents and guests about understanding how God’s unconditional love can propel meaningful change in the world.
McCurties travels worldwide to instruct on Jesus Christ’ life, his healing works, and how everyone has divine rights. He shared his concept of repentance and how God’s love, healing, and power are the greatest agents in bringing change to the world.
“Understanding more of how God’s saving and healing love is available to each of us and how there is a greater power and force that can bring healing, change, and transformation,” McCurties said. “His love changes the way we think.”
McCurties said Christian Science is a Bible-based religion that is devoted to the teachings of Jesus and ideas from Mary Baker Eddy, founder of Christian Science. He said he hopes people walk away from the seminar with a better sense of God’s love and a better sense of their ability to feel Gods love in their hearts and lives.
Outside guest Barbara Hurwick said she enjoyed McCurties tell of Joseph’s story from the Bible and how he endured hardships and found his way to freedom, connecting his story with those incarcerated at San Quentin. She said, “Regardless of your challenging life situation, God can work miracles.”
The lecture included personal testimony of why he believes the power of God’s love brings healing and helps in everyday experiences. Having suffered a heat stroke, feelings of disorientation and an inability to speak had led him to thought, prayer, and repentance.
After overcoming unconsciousness and fearing for his life, McCurties recognized that God’s presence and strength were his divine right. He said this recognition came through the power of repentance, which led to him sharing his healing experience with others.
Resident Eric Phillips was moved by McCurties’ testimony. He said “It showed me how healing goes beyond science, how one’s positive thinking can bring healing and change, not only spiritually and emotionally, but physically.”
McCurties said the word “repent” in Greek means to change the way you think, which is not what he believes people think the meaning of repentance is today. He said Jesus preached these changes and his ministry was challenging misconceptions, helping people know God’s love is unconditional.
“The concept of repentance is an everyday thing. Am I letting my thinking be guided by God and informed by Christ’s love? Or am I thinking humanly?” McCurties asked.
McCurties told the crowd that this thinking and repenting can change your life, character, and health. He believes by acknowledging others and changing the human thinking, the more you can experience God’s healing power and love, the more you can help change those around you.
“The single greatest expression of God’s love for humanity was Jesus’ resurrection,” McCurties said. He said to go through that experience was shameful, but provided a clean slate for humanity, and it was part of what was needed to wake us up.
Resident Harvey Brooks attends the Christian Science services weekly in the prison and said he appreciated how the church does not preach, but they educate.
“Think of Christian Science as a study, a pursuit, and a demonstration of truth. What Jesus did, changed the way we see reality,” Brooks said.
