Nebraska Congregation Experiences Painful Loss, Miraculous Healings

Northridge Church in Grand Island, Nebraska, is a close-knit congregation numbering around 150 people. Mark Oberbeck, 69, has pastored the church for nearly 16 years, seeking to love in the name of Jesus those of every background and in every circumstance.

In April 2024, the congregation entered uncharted waters, experiencing both a miraculous healing and what Oberbeck describes as, “the most tragic thing I as a pastor have experienced.”

And yet, Christ has sustained.

ERIC

Nineteen-year-old Eric Czaplewski’s family has been part of Northridge for many years. When the healthy young man developed an ear infection, not much was thought of it. But when he suddenly fell into convulsions and was rushed to the emergency room, it was discovered that, in an extremely rare and strange turn of events, the ear infection had traveled into his brain. Admitted to the hospital on Sunday, Czaplewski was declared brain dead by Tuesday, and soon thereafter was gone.

Throughout this process, Oberbeck was away in Tennessee, attending to a family tragedy, and unable to travel home. In his absence, Northridge Next Generations (youth and college) pastor Shawn Haffner and children’s pastor Angie Franks stood with the Czaplewski family.

“The congregation also stepped up and started doing things for one another,” Oberbeck says. “They began aiding the family, bringing food, watching kids, all without being organized or asked. It was wonderful to see.”

In the days following Czaplewski’s death, Oberbeck says there has been need not only for comfort, but also relief from fear, including when children get routine earaches. Members of the youth group were also deeply impacted.

Czaplewski’s mother, Rachael, says, “Our situation has taught me the importance of making sure our kids have a personal relationship with Jesus. Our children are not always promised long lives, and we never know when God will call them home."

ROSE

Northridge board member Rose Haggard had worn a back brace for many years, suffering extreme back pain. Scheduled for back surgery, around the same time as Czaplewski’s illness, Haggard underwent a series of test to make sure she was strong enough for surgery. In that process, it was discovered that she had highly suspicious spots on her kidneys.

“We began praying seriously,” Oberbeck says. “The focus shifted from her back to this significant kidney problem.”

Doctors carried out many more tests, and surprising results arrived. Both Haggard’s kidneys and her back were healed. She was completely free of pain and the kidney problems had vanished.

In addition to Haggard’s remarkable deliverances, other church members experienced healings around the same time, and have continued to in the months since. Potential cancer, dental and bone distress, are among the matters divinely dealt with.

“I certainly don't have ‘healings’ all figured out,” says Oberbeck. “I do know one thing: The more people we pray for, the more healings we see. If someone needs a healing, it is everyone's responsibility to pray for them. If I hear of people praying in the lobby, the kitchen, the fellowship hall, or even the bathrooms, I will rejoice that the Body of Christ is ministering to each other.”

REDEMPTION

On June 2, Czaplewski’s father Scott testified in the Sunday morning service. The family shared that Czaplewski had been working a lot, unable to attend church regularly. Scott and Rachael — who have four other children, all younger than Czaplewski — had been concerned about their son’s salvation.

Scott shared before the Northridge congregation that, following his son’s funeral, he was in his room crying out to God, asking, “Is my son in heaven?”  

Scott says he felt a strong assurance that, in fact, his son was with God. He reports hearing the audible voice of the Lord so clearly that he opened his eyes and turned around looking for the speaker.

As Scott shared this account during the morning service, Oberbeck says, God descended upon Northridge congregants, ministering deeply.

Scott says, “Although the ‘big’ miracle of Eric being healed may not have happened, little miracles happened throughout the process. God placed in our family’s hearts such a peace that has sustained us throughout. Also, God directed my actions on how to handle such a horrific situation. He showed us love through the whole community — a love I have never felt before. God revealed himself to us when we needed Him most.”

Although an earthly healing did not take place for Czaplewski, comfort comes from rejoicing in his heavenly healing, and the congregants of Northridge continue to walk boldly in an unshaken faith.

“While I cannot explain why God didn't heal Eric, I know that He is still on the throne and He still heals,” Oberbeck concludes. “My theology is not based on my experiences. It is based on the Word of God.”