ANAHEIM, CA (ANS) -- Veteran Christian broadcaster, Rich Buhler, who is suffering from pancreatic cancer, made a surprise visit to Anaheim Vineyard last Sunday morning (August 29, 2010), where he preached before a surprised and and moved congregation.

Rich Buhler at the Anaheim Vineyard on Sunday morning (Photo: Karise Buell, his daughter)

Buhler told the ASSIST News Service that he had been in the calendar for several months to fill the pulpit while the pastor, Lance Pittluck, was on vacation.

“I told them to keep me there and be prepared in case I could not do it and I'd let them know early Sunday morning,” said Buhler. “I've been gaining strength and stamina and the Lord gave me the privilege of doing the service and it went great.

“They had an easy chair, a table, and some water for me instead of a pulpit. Many of my family members were there. It was very special.”

When Buhler was introduced to the congregation, he received a standing ovation.

The much much-loved Southern California broadcaster, author, and speaker had been admitted to a local Orange County hospital on Wednesday (July 28, 2010) after suffering from severe stomach pains, and later was told that his pancreatic cancer was “inoperable.”

Now this latest event, which was such a wonderful surprise to the congregation -- and his family -- shows the battling spirit that he has exhibited since he found out about his cancer diagnosis.

Note: Buhler was a very close friend to the late John Wimber, founder of the Anaheim Vineyard and the also of the Vineyard movement.

Dan Wooding, 69, is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma, to whom he has been married for 46 years. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times) and the ASSIST News Service (ANS). He was, for ten years, a commentator, on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC., and now hosts the weekly “Front Page Radio” show on KWVE in Southern California and which is also carried on the Calvary Radio Network throughout the United States. The program is also aired in Great Britain on Calvary Chapel Radio UK. Wooding is also a regular contributor to The Weekend Stand on the Crawford Broadcasting Network, and a host for His Channel Live, which is carried via the Internet to some 192 countries. He is the author of some 44 books. Two of the latest include his autobiography, “From Tabloid to Truth”, which is published by Theatron Books. To order a copy, press this link. Wooding, who was born in Nigeria of British missionary parents, has also recently released his first novel “Red Dagger” which is available here