Kirkcaldy, Scotland - Football fans have been flocking to a small church in search of a miracle, it emerged today.
Dozens of Rangers supporters have made a pilgrimage to the Zion Praise Centre in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
They have been inspired by lay-preacher and Rangers defender Marvin Andrews who claims the power of prayer allowed him to overcome a career-threatening injury without treatment.
The Rev Joe Nwokoye, the church’s Nigerian pastor, says he is being bombarded with up to 50 letters and e-mails from Rangers fans around the world each day.
The 46-year-old, who moved to Scotland 20 years ago, said supporters of the SPL champions were turning up for Bible classes in groups of up to 10 at a time.
The evangelical pastor told The Times newspaper: “Our church is becoming a place of pilgrimage and I believe that this is just the beginning.
“Every day I hear from fans, who are saying that if God can do this for Marvin then maybe He can do it for them as well.
“The fact that Marvin was able to continue playing, and that Rangers won the championship, was not because of the strength of Rangers, it was because God decided to give it to Marvin because Marvin prayed.”
The so-called “miracle of Marvin’s knee” has baffled doctors and was described by Rangers manager Alex McLeish as “defying logic”.
Andrews suffered a serious injury to his left knee while playing against Dundee in March.
He suffered cruciate ligament damage and was told he would not play for months.
One specialist advised the Trinidad international he should undergo “restorative surgery” followed by months of rest.
But Andrews refused to accept medical treatment and instead put his faith in the healing power of prayer.
After just three weeks the former Livingston player astounded medical advisers and his team-mates by declaring himself fit to play.
He returned against Celtic last month and played in every game until the end of the season.
Andrews now claims his pain has gone and said: “I know it is hard to believe, but God has given me strength.”
After helping Rangers win the championship, Andrews revealed a T-shirt stating: “With God anything is possible”.
In the past, the Rev Nwokoye has been quoted as saying God routinely raises the dead in his African homeland.