There have been many emotional moments in the history of First Orlando, but few could rival what happened on June 21, 2009 — Father’s Day.
That was the day 10-year-old Gracyn DenBesten sang the song “Healer” during the 10:45 a.m. service.
It was unplanned and a total surprise to the congregation, but by the time she finished singing, there was hardly a dry eye in the Worship Center.
In case you’re wondering what was so stirring about a young girl singing a solo, you have to know a little bit about her background.
Gracyn was just like any other girl her age — going to school, active in church, playing with her friends — until December of 2008. It was then that Gracyn mentioned to her parents — Kris and Robin — that she was not feeling well. That eventually led to Gracyn being hospitalized at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and the diagnosis that a virus had attacked her heart. The news only got worse as it was determined that Gracyn would be in need of a heart transplant.
The then-9 year old’s plight (she turned 10 on June 2) not only gripped the congregation at First Orlando, but local media as well. Thousands followed Gracyn’s journey on her blog. Meanwhile, during her hospital stay, Gracyn listened to the song “Healer” every night, believing that God would indeed heal her.
And that’s exactly what happened as Gracyn received her new heart on April 15 and was released from the hospital on May 1.
Which brings us back to Father’s Day.
As it turns out, one of the featured singers, Lindsey Marks, was supposed to sing “Healer.” However, Lindsey’s father, Jon Marks — First Orlando’s Pastor of Worship/Event Coordination — heard that Gracyn was at church that day and suggested that she sing the song, which Gracyn did following Lindsey’s rendition.
Gracyn agreed.
As Senior Pastor David Uth introduced her, he addressed the congregation.
“Guys,” he said, “if you can’t believe [that God can heal you] with Gracyn singing this song, then you can’t believe it. What is it that God wants to heal in you? The altar is still open; come as Gracyn leads you.”
And people did come as Gracyn’s emotional rendition of “Healer” brought the congregation to both tears and to their feet.