God wants people to be healthy, regardless of whether it means spiritual health or physical health, said Dr. James Wagner.

The Ohio-based Wagner led a three-day conference about healing and wholeness that ended Tuesday at Centenary United Methodist Church.

Wagner visited the area in October for another workshop that laid the foundation for churches interested in starting healing ministries.

The Bible is clear that man was created in God's image, he said. "It's a spiritual essence and if you become ill or sick or have trauma, you need to pay attention to your spiritual elements," he said.

People are now realizing that both the spiritual and faith aspects of their lives are connected to their physical health, emotional well-being and social relationships.

"It's not any kind of magic," Wagner said. He has spent his career in ministry studying healing and wholeness as it relates to church ministries.

He's written several books and gives occasional seminars on the topic at churches across the nation, both Methodist and other denominations.

Thirty or 40 years ago, when Wagner was leaving seminary training, the topic of healing wasn't discussed much. But now people are talking about spirituality.

Even the medical profession recognizes that faith can play a role in healing for hospitalized patients, he said.

People who attend his conferences represent all different levels. Some are just curious about what he has to say, others have been practicing healing for years and want to hear more about it, he said.

"It's really ecumenical, interdenominational, interracial and intergenerational. It's amazing what's happening," he said.

Churches too have realized that people want someone to pray with or to talk to when problems arise.

Wagner concludes his services and seminars with a worship service for spiritual healing. He invites participants to come forward for healing and anointing, but doesn't require it.

"It won't be wall-to-wall like an Easter service," he said.

But even the small group is a good sign that churches are moving toward the ministry. "We have the resources and the church can really help," he said.