SPOTLIGHT: Jim Hamilton

The Night the Holy Spirit Touched Jim Hamilton

One evening many years ago, long past the hour when most people had already surrendered to sleep, Jim Hamilton had hit rock bottom. His drinking was out of control and his soul was in turmoil. He was tired of hurting people—especially his beautiful, young bride, Donna. It was quarter to midnight and the words were tumbling from his lips like a desperate waterfall, “Please, God, change me!”

Sobbing with all his heart, Jim told God at 11:45 p.m. that he would pray until midnight. “Even if there’s a fire, or any distraction, I will keep praying, but only ‘til midnight,” he told God. “If you can help me in the next 15 minutes, I will serve you for the rest of my life!”

He prayed for about three minutes when a weight on his chest became unbearable. He literally felt like a rope had been wrapped tightly around him, pulling the breath from his lungs. He couldn’t breathe. His heart cried out, “God, I desperately need you. I don’t want to live like this anymore. If you can’t help me, if you can’t change me, I don’t want to be here at all.”

Jim kept praying, but then his vision blurred, he grew lightheaded, and he passed out cold. His head apparently hit an end table because when he aroused, there was blood trickling down his face. It was 11:55 p.m.

When he realized when and where he was, he knew he had to keep praying. In that moment, nothing else mattered. However, suddenly, in the darkness, he heard a voice. A gentle, kind male voice whispered, “Don’t get up.” But Jim didn’t know if it was the voice of God, the voice of the enemy, or just his own mind echoing back his fear.

He thought. “I have to pray.”

So he pulled himself up, his body weak but his spirit on fire. He clasped his hands together and fell to his knees, heart thundering in his chest. And then, in that midnight hour, he felt it—two warm hands pressing down on his. His palms turned up, and in that moment, he felt a surge of electricity, like power flooding through every inch of his body.

Warmth spread through him. His heart exploded with peace, love, joy—an elation that no drink, no high, could ever give. Tears streamed down his face as he realized he had never felt so loved. It was as if Heaven itself had wrapped him in an embrace, and for the first time in his life, he felt whole.

“I am loved,” Jim thought. “I love everyone. I am changed.”

Fast forward, Jim is the first to admit he is not perfect but that he is completely in love with life, his beautiful wife, and God—and not in that order. After rediscovering his faith, Jim embraced Charismatic prayer ministry through various entities and eventually, thanks to wife Donna, became an SJE parishioner in 2011. 

Jim still remembers that evening as if it was yesterday. The power of that moment, the presence of the Holy Spirit that filled him and healed him, has never faded. Even now, when he closes his eyes, he can feel those warm hands, hear that voice, and know—he is loved, he is changed, and the Spirit of God still lives within him.

And now he is called to share this love with others.

Through a new ministry called “Life In the Spirit,” Jim and Donna are encouraging people to find their own way to connect with the Holy Spirit and then share the gifts, fruits, and His light with others. And you are invited to do the same! Here’s how you can join this experience, encounter the Holy Spirit’s presence, and grow in faith:

📅 Monday, June 16: “Life in the Spirit”🕡 6:30–8 p.m. | Day Chapel, 11301 W. 93rd Ave., St. John. Following this kickoff gathering, the ministry will meet again on June 23, and then regularly on the first two Mondays of each month.

For more information, please reach out to Jim at Hamiltons7777@yahoo.com.

The God moments behind the story.

Jim’s openness to the power of the Holy Spirit all those years ago can be traced back to the steadfast love and prayers of Donna. After Jim's difficult upbringing, it was her Spirit-led influence that awakened a desire for change. Her quiet strength and faith set the stage for his transformation. Later, a colleague from work played a key role in guiding him further along the journey. At work, Al would pull Jim aside and share the love of God with him. At one point he related, “God cares about you. You don’t have to live in this pain anymore…If God could change me, he can change you too.”

Al’s voice was calm, full of compassion and he spoke the truth. “Just by being born, Jim, you’re affirmed and valued. You’re God’s child. That’s where your worth comes from—nothing else.” This truth struck a chord in Jim’s heart. Al handed him a prayer, similar to the Miracle Prayer by Father Rookey, and said, “If you’re sincere, if you’re truly tired of the pain, turn to God.”

And that is what we are all invited to do. Let's join together through the gifts of the Holy Spirit to share with others and Be Disciples who Make Disciples!