A week after her passing, Bethel Church has announced plans for a celebration of life to honour two-year-old Olive Heiligenthal.
In an online post, Bethel Church shared an update on the daughter of worship leader Kalley Heiligenthal.
"Since learning the news of two-year-old Olive Heiligenthal’s sudden death, we have sought a miracle from God to raise her from the dead," Bethel Church said on Instagram.
"We realize this is out of the norm, but that’s what a miracle is—it’s outside the box of nature and our power. As the Bible testifies, God is the God of the reasonable & possible, as well as the God of the unreasonable & impossible," the Instagram caption reads.
In the post, the church says they have asked during this time for God to "fulfill our hearts desire to see His kingdom manifested in great power.
"As a church, we have been contending for, singing about, and witnessing God’s power to save, heal, and deliver for over fifty years. It is normal for us to ask for things, trust Him, and then glorify His name regardless of the outcome. This is what life with the King is all about."
Olive was declared dead by doctors after she stopped breathing on Saturday, December 14, 2019.
Heiligenthal and her husband, Andrew, asked for prayer for the resurrection of their daughter last week after the toddler passed away.
Using social media and their church, the Heiligenthal's put out a worldwide call for Christians to pray that Olive be brought back to life.
On Thursday, Pastor Bill Johnson from Bethel Church thanked those continuing to pray for Olive's resurrection.
Johnson noted the church's continued stance alongside the Heiligenthal's based on biblical precident.
"Jesus raised the dead," says Johnson.
The California church further explained its decision to petition for Olive to be raised from the dead, and noted that grief has not been avoided in the process.
"We have all been grieving from the moment we heard the news. Faith isn’t denial of the facts or of our emotions, it is knowing that God cares and intervenes in the midst of them. Here is where we are: Olive hasn’t been raised."
Bethel acknowledged the outcome they hoped for has not been realized, and shared that a memorial service to celebrate Olive's life is being planned.
"Our community is being deeply impacted by the tragedy of Olive’s death. As we have gone through this difficult time, we are grateful to see that faith, hope, and love have been the response," the church wrote.
Bethel Church offered continued support for the Heiligenthal family as they continue to grieve while sharing the hope they have through faith of life continuing in heaven.
"The Lord wastes nothing. He will bring beauty for ashes (Isaiah 61:3). The joy of our faith is that, though we haven’t seen the miracle of Olive being raised, she is alive in the presence of God.
"Believers know that heaven is full of homecomings, reunions, celebration, worship, and joy. He is good, all the time."