A GoFundMe campaign created by church leaders for a devout Christian couple who are attempting to resurrect their dead two-year-old daughter through faith and prayer has raised more than $50,000.
Andrew and Kalley Heiligenthal’s two-year-old daughter, Olive Alayne Heiligenthal, died early Friday morning after she stopped breathing in her sleep in Redding, California.
The family called 911, and paramedics rushed Olive to a hospital, where she was declared dead. Her body was transferred to the Shasta County Coroner’s Office, a spokesman from the couple’s church told DailyMail.com.
On Sunday, Kalley wrote a heartbreaking post on Instagram, calling for ‘bold, unified prayers from the global church to stand with us in belief that He will raise this little girl back to life’.
Since then, more than 1,000 donations have poured in on the GoFundMe campaign, which the church says will go entirely toward the family’s unexpected expenses.
Andrew and Kalley Heiligenthal’s two-year-old daughter, Olive Alayne Heiligenthal (with parents and her sister above), died early Friday morning in Redding, California
On Sunday, Kalley wrote a heartbreaking post on Instagram, calling for ‘bold, unified prayers from the global church to stand with us in belief that He will raise this little girl back to life’
In a series of Instagram posts, Kalley continued to call for prayers for Olive’s resurrection after she was declared dead by a doctor and her body was transferred to the coroner
Kalley’s initial Instagram post quickly found support from the congregants at Bethel megachurch in Redding, where Kalley is heavily involved with the church music group and has produced her own albums of Christian music.
‘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,’ wrote Kalley, who has more than 240,000 followers on Instagram.
Kalley continued her calls for prayers for resurrection in Instagram posts on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
‘Since that night, and at the continued request of the Heiligenthal family, Bethel Church has hosted prayer and worship gatherings which consist of singing and prayer,’ the church said in a statement.
On Tuesday night, hundreds gathered at Bethel Church for prayer and worship at a ceremony calling for Olive’s resurrection.
A church spokesman said that this was the first-ever public prayer gathering that the church has hosted to pray for a resurrection.
On Tuesday, Bethel congregants held a massive prayer service to pray for Olive’s resurrection
On Wednesday, Kalley continued her calls for Olive’s resurrection on Instagram
Kalley, a singer and songwriter, is seen with her daughter Olive
At the same time that Kalley was calling for prayer to resurrect Olive, however, Bethel Music started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for the couple.
Church leaders wrote on the campaign that the fund was to cover ‘unforeseeable expenses the Heiligenthal family will incur, medical and otherwise.’
Many of those donating to the fund also left a comment expressing their faith that Olive will be resurrected through prayer.
‘I stand firmly with you in faith that Olive will wake up! He will do it,’ wrote Evianne Vikstrom.
‘Just wanted the Heiligenthal family to know, in a tangible way, that we’re here with you, standing, praying, and believing with you for a victorious awakening – for life to return to Olive’s body,’ wrote Kweku Acquah.
‘Believe Olive will wake up by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ!’ remarked Judith Moerdyk.
‘To help cover unknown expenses for the family during this time and any future expenses for Olive, a GoFundMe page was set up by friends and co-workers of Kalley with all funds going directly to the Heiligenthal family,’ Bethel Church said in a statement.
‘Bethel Church believes in the stories of healing and physical resurrection found in the Bible (Matthew 10:8), and that the miracles they portray are possible today,’ the statement added.
More than 1,000 donations have poured in on the GoFundMe campaign, which the church says will go entirely toward the family’s unexpected expenses
‘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,’ wrote Kalley
Olive (above) was one of the couple’s two daughters after 10 years of marriage
Church officials said that Olive’s body has been at the Shasta County Coroner’s Office since it was transferred there from the hospital on December 14.
The coroner’s office did not immediately return a phone message from DailyMail.com on Wednesday.
Although Christianity teaches of the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, attempts to literally resurrect dead bodies are unusual in the religion.
Church officials said they are doing more for the family than praying for the child to come back to life.
‘As a church family, our hearts are with the Heiligenthals, and we are both praying for Olive and walking with them through their deep grief and sorrow,’ the church said in a statement.
‘Bethel leadership is committed to caring for and serving the Heiligenthal family during this difficult time.’