Bethel worship leader and songwriter Kalley Heiligenthal is asking for prayer for her young daughter, Olive, who passed away on Saturday, December 14th. On Sunday, Heiligenthal wrote on Instagram that Olive had been pronounced dead the day before, and the worship leader asked for believers across the world to join her and her husband, Andrew, in praying for a miracle.
“We’re asking for prayer. We believe in a Jesus who died and conclusively defeated every grave, holding the keys to resurrection power. We need it for our little Olive Alayne,” said Kalley Heiligenthal in her post. “We are asking for bold, unified prayers from the global church to stand with us in belief that He will raise this little girl back to life. Her time here is not done, and it is our time to believe boldly, and with confidence wield what King Jesus paid for. It’s time for her to come to life.”
Kalley Heiligenthal: Her Name Means ‘victorious awakening’
Heiligenthal posted again on Instagram only a few hours ago, requesting continued prayer and maintaining her confidence that God will bring Olive back to life. “Day 3 is a really good day for resurrection,” she said. “We are overwhelmed with gratitude by your outpouring of love for us and faith for Olive. Jesus is Faithful and True and He’s riding in with the victory He bought for Olive.” She noted that, “Olive Alayne means ‘victorious awakening.’ We call on the mighty all-sufficient name of Jesus and we call you back by name, sweet girl. You will live.”
Dominic Shahbon, Director of Events with Bethel Music, posted a video of Kalley Heiligenthal leading worship Sunday night, and singing the lyrics of “Way Maker,” which proclaim that God is working even when we do not see it. “I’ll never forget tonight,” wrote Shahbon, expressing his amazement at Heiligenthal “leading us in worship and contending for the RESURRECTION of her daughter, Olive Alayne Heiligenthal!! Can’t explain much, but all i know is God is on the move. KEEP PRAYING CHURCH!!”
As of right now, there is no news regarding how Olive died. A GoFundMe page set up to support the family simply says Olive “unexpectedly stopped breathing in her sleep.”
Others in the Bethel and broader Christian community are posting and commenting with their prayers and encouragement, using the hashtag, #WakeUpOlive. Worship leader and singer Kari Jobe wrote, “Praying kalley..warring. In JESUS NAME.
Bethel worship leader Sean Feucht, who recently announced his campaign for Congress, posted a quote of Romans 13:11, saying, “Been preaching this verse around the world all year long. Believing for the full manifestation TODAY now more than ever for my friends and community.”
Bethel Music CEOs Joel and Janie Taylor, whose son Jaxon has his own miracle story, prayed on behalf of Olive, referencing the account of Lazarus’s death and resurrection in John 11.
People have expressed their support not only in words but also through putting up posts of themselves worshiping through dance and song.
One church in North Carolina said, “Personally do not know this family. But, we BELIEVE BOLDLY with them that She is WAKING up!”
Several posts have referenced the words “talitha koum,” which is the phrase Jesus said when he raised a girl from the dead as recounted in Mark 5:35-43.
“Thank you for your faith-filled declarations, keep them coming,” wrote Kalley Heiligenthal in her most recent Instagram post. “Worship Jesus with us, He is moving, He is good, He is worthy and He is alive.”
