LEWISTON — Paul Baribault’s faith journey and spiritual growth culminated recently in a new calling, one that involves healing prayer for those in need.

A member of Holy Cross Church in Lewiston, Baribault’s commitment to offering a unique ministry centered around prayer and the Holy Spirit is aimed at healing both physical and spiritual afflictions, he says.

The foundation of Baribault’s work at the church at 1080 Lisbon St. is rooted in the “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” something he experienced at a church service in Mount Shasta, California. The service, led by a Franciscan priest, the Rev. Matthew Swizdor, changed Baribault’s life forever.

The spiritual experience came in the form of a baptism, something a little unorthodox for adults in the Catholic traditions. Baribault says he was hesitant at first, unsure of what to expect, but his deep-seated faith and a divine prompt encouraged him to move forward.

“I made this promise to the Lord that even if, as the priest was touching my forehead, if . . . I felt nothing . . . I was (still) going to let go and be caught in the man’s arms behind me,” Baribault recalled. “And that’s essentially what happened.”

Baribault initially felt no physical sensation, but once he stood back up, he experienced a “shower of love” that filled his body with peace, joy and vibrancy. The profound experience left Baribault elated, returning to his pew as though he wasn’t even touching the floor.

“When I got to my feet, it felt like a shower of love in my forehead, just filling my body with love and joy and this incredible vibrancy,” Baribault said. “The colors became extremely bright, and . . . you felt like you could touch through the wood of the pew — which, of course, you couldn’t. It was breathtaking. . . . And I knew it was the Holy Spirit that I was really feeling for the first time in its power.”

A continuous sense of joy and love persisted for weeks after the experience, which, he says, affirmed his belief in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Back in Maine years after the experience, Baribault was scheduled to undergo double rotator cuff surgery and was in constant pain, unable to raise his arms above chest level. He decided to lean on his faith a bit and seek out a healing group at a nearby church. Though the church was not Catholic, he says his belief in God and power of prayer found him walking out the door with his hands in the air.

“I remember driving home, saying to myself, ‘I’ve got to find a way to do this in my church.’ I knew those words were conveyed to me.”

Baribault says he received one more sign that a healing ministry was needed in his church and community when he got a call one afternoon in October from his job as a driver for Bates students in need of rides to appointments in town: A student needed a ride to the cancer clinic at Central Maine Medical Center.

At first, Baribault assumed the student was volunteering at the clinic — a safe assumption because many do, he said. However, during the ride, he learned the young Ugandan woman wasn’t volunteering. She was a patient.

The two introduced themselves and spoke briefly before arriving at CMMC. Baribault was struck by the heaviness behind her words, so on the return trip, Baribault felt compelled to ask if the student was a person of faith.

“If she said ‘yes,’ I planned on asking if I could pray with her,” Baribault said, adding that it was a step outside his usual role.

When asked, the student did say she was a person of faith and began to cry.

“On her way to the van that afternoon, she had asked God to give her a sign he was with her that day,” he said.

They prayed together as they returned to the campus and then parted ways.

Three days later, Baribault said, the student returned to the van with a big smile on her face. Since they prayed, her symptoms disappeared and her doctor advised her not to take the medication recently prescribed to her.

Three months later, just before the school’s winter break, he said, she stopped by once more to tell Baribault she was still symptom-free.

About two months later he began what he calls his “healing ministry” after getting permission from Holy Cross Church leaders. The ministry is centered around offering people the same kind of spiritual experience he had — one that he believes can bring physical healing, spiritual renewal, and a closer connection with God.

“I really have always felt the power of prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit,” Baribault said. “It can do amazing things.”

Baribault says the ministry has been well met by fellow churchgoers and those from the community who are seeking healing for their physical illnesses, emotional wounds or spiritual distresses. At a recent service, which are held every Sunday after Holy Cross’s 8:30 a.m. service ends, 11 people attended Baribault’s ministry.

Each service focuses on prayer, offering an opportunity for people to seek healing — for themselves or others — similar to Baribault’s experience in Mount Shasta and his more recent healing following surgery.

As the word spreads, Baribault says he has seen increasing interest, especially after a basic social media announcement was made of the special Sunday service. He believes that once the ministry begins to witness significant healings, momentum will continue to grow.

“The overwhelming response from the Facebook announcement has been just breathtaking,” Baribault said. “And I know that when we have a significant healing, and we will, the word will spread and more people will come. And I know that’s going to happen — the Lord is behind this.”

Baribault says his healing ministry is fueled by the power and insights he felt during his many spiritual experiences, including that life-changing trip to Mount Shasta, and the openness and trust he has in the Holy Spirit’s work.

His ministry, he says, is meant to provide a spiritual refuge for people in need, and he is convinced in the transformative power of prayer and that his work is part of a greater divine purpose.

As Baribault watches the ministry grow and witnesses the changing lives of those who seek prayer and healing at his gatherings, he remains confident that it is all part of God’s plan.

“I know the Lord is behind this. I’m just here to be obedient and help others experience his love, joy, and healing,” Baribault said. “This is just the beginning.”