Evangelist reveals his battle with hepatitis

By The Associated Press

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The leader of one of the largest evangelical Christian churches in the Northwest is now practicing what he preaches as he battles hepatitis C, which he and his doctors believe he contracted from injecting drugs as a teenager.

"This seemed like a battle I could overcome to continue my vision," said Treat, who was diagnosed a year ago and revealed his illness during services at SeaTac's Christian Faith Center last month. "I believe in healing. It was never an option of dying young. It was more of a fight of faith."

Despite months of draining treatment, the popular pastor, author and motivational speaker has remained active and is continuing to push for the construction of a controversial 4,500-seat megachurch in Federal Way.

At age 19, Treat gave up drugs for Jesus and says he has been clean ever since. But he believes it was during those turbulent teenage years in Spanaway that the disease, which is spread through contact with contaminated blood, took hold of his body.

Hepatitis C causes inflammation of the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis, liver cancer and liver failure.

In December, Treat started a rigorous nine-month chemotherapy program through the University of Washington Medical Center. The odds were 50-50 the treatment would work. In March, blood tests showed his viral count was negative, meaning doctors can no longer find hepatitis C in his system, he said. Tests show he has minimal liver damage.

Treat, 48, founded Christian Faith Center in SeaTac in 1980 and hosts a program on KING and KCPQ-TV. He will continue with chemotherapy through September, giving himself injections twice a week and taking pills morning and night.

"They want to make sure it doesn't come back," Treat said. "My doctor said, 'You're going to die from something, but it won't be hepatitis.' "

The draining chemotherapy regimen has left him fatigued, and he has lost 10 pounds from his 6-foot-3-inch frame. But his signature crop of carrot-colored hair has stayed in place, and he expects to be back to normal health within a few weeks of completing chemotherapy.

Treat continues to preach every Saturday night and Sunday morning to his Christian Faith Center congregation in SeaTac and to his new satellite congregation in Everett. And despite his fatigue, he has just embarked on a two-week speaking trip, which includes a stop in Seoul, South Korea.

Treat is no stranger to battles. Despite opposition, he has persisted for five years with plans to build a 320,026-square-foot Christian Faith Center in Federal Way. Treat wants to move the SeaTac congregation closer to where about half its 8,000 members live.

Opponents are concerned the church will lead to increased traffic and a loss of tax revenue. But Treat argues the church and its school wouldn't increase traffic during peak weekday evening commute times as much as a business park, for which the site already is zoned.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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