Healing & Prayer Service for Kim Pegula Planned by Houghton University and Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church

Houghton University and Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church will hold a service for healing and prayer for Kim (Kerr ’91) Pegula on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at 3 p.m. at Eastern Hills Church in Williamsville. This will be a free, ticketed event, and the service will be live-streamed.

Pegula’s deep connections to Western New York and Houghton University as co-owner of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres and an alumna of the University, where her father serves on the board of trustees, inspired many in the community to look for a way to respond after the news emerged of her ongoing recovery from cardiac arrest in 2022. In organizing this service, Houghton and Eastern Hills seek to offer their support to the Pegula family and the community during this time.

“There are many in our community who want to do something and to express our support , but don’t know what we can do,” said Rev. Dr. Joey Jennings, chair of the board of trustees at Houghton University and superintendent of the Western New York district of The Wesleyan Church. “We believe prayer is a powerful action as we seek God’s intervention. The gathering of Christians to join in united prayer will hopefully also demonstrate to the Pegula family the love and support of their community during this challenging time. I am delighted to use my connections at both Houghton University and the Wesleyan Churches of Western New York to help bring this together.”

The service is expected to last one hour and will also provide a time of healing prayer for anyone attending the service.

“Kim is such a warm, caring, and generous person. She and Terry’s gifts have been transformational for Houghton, but as well, her concern for and encouragement to Houghton students has meant so much to all of us.” said Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., president of Houghton University.

We believe in the power of prayer, and we believe in God’s healing power. Houghton University is happy to join with the Kerr-Pegula family and Eastern Hills Church to lift Kim and our brothers and sisters to the Lord in prayer.”

Wayne D. Lewis, Jr., president of Houghton University

Those wishing to attend in person are asked to download a free ticket at ehwc.org/Pegula as seats are limited. Organizers selected Eastern Hills as the host for its capacity to hold 2,200 in its worship center and central location to Buffalo.

“As a church that believes in the power of prayer, Eastern Hills is honored to join with Houghton University and the wider Western New York faith community by hosting this special service of intercession and healing for Kim,” said Pastor Pat Jones, lead pastor at Eastern Hills Wesleyan Church. “The Pegula and Kerr families are pleased, and we wholeheartedly join them, to make this a time of prayer not only for Kim, but for all those families and individuals across our region who have the same kind of need. We believe the Lord will use this time to bring healing and hope to many.”

Attendees will also have the opportunity to learn the basics of CPR before and after the service, with demonstrations led by Deanna Hand, associate director of athletics for sports medicine and administration at Houghton.

For more information, visit ehwc.org/Pegula or call 716-688-7165.