My First Experience

[Kutless]

We had a missionary last night who didn't talk about his destination, didn't have anything for sale, and no slide show. In fact, other than paraphrasing a few scripture, didn't even open his Bible. And it was exactly what I needed. All he did was tell of his initial infilling experience. That is what I am going to attempt to do here. I'd love to read of other experiences as well.


The night I got baptized I was 8 years old. It was in Slidell La. I'll never forget the feeling I had when I came up out of the water. I felt so clean and lighthearted. But the night I rec'd the H.G. wasn't until a few years later at my Grandpa's church. At 10 I felt a strong tug on my heart to seek after the Lord. It did not happen the first, second or third night, but nevertheless I con't to seek for the H.G. Must have been an awful sinner. Finally it happened. I knelt on the left hand side of the pulpit, snotting all over the dark maroon carpet. I had oldtimers on both sides of me doing the ole cheerleading thing. I heard Bro Stoneking say one time that some people get the H.G. in self-defense. Although there was contact I sincerely remember that it was just me a God at the altar that night.

After worshipping for sometime all the sudden it happened! I know its probably a little different for everbody but here's what I felt. Starting at the top of my head moving through my body, down my back and all consuming, I felt a cool sensation shower over me. At the same time recognizing that I had lost control of my tongue.

I heard myself speaking words that I didn't know, but neither was it me. I spoke in tongues for just a few minutes. But I distinctly remember that it wasn't just some doo doo da da, it was a flowing tongue, a language.

I stopped and looked up to see my Grandfather leaning over the pulpit looking at me. My face hurt I was grinning so big. This was absolutely the most wonderful real thing that had ever happened to me. Thank you Jesus!

NO one can argue away experience!

[Felicity]

Well, as a former missionary I feel the missionary did himself and the congregation a disservice by not doing what he's actually there for and that's to share his burden, vision, and destination with the people so they are cognizant of the need and able to pray and give as well. He could have shared his Holy Ghost experience after that if that's how the Lord was leading.

Anyhow, having said that, I too love to hear about how people were born again and their Holy Ghost experience and other kinds of experiences and testimonies as well.

Hope others will join in here.

[Kutless]

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well, as a former missionary I feel the missionary did himself and the congregation a disservice by not doing what he's actually there for and that's to share his burden, vision, and destination with the people so they are cognizant of the need and able to pray and give as well. He could have shared his Holy Ghost experience after that if that's how the Lord was leading.

Anyhow, having said that, I too love to hear about how people were born again and their Holy Ghost experience and other kinds of experiences and testimonies as well.

Hope others will join in here.

Pastor did a wonderful job introducing him. Told us where he was from. All of his equipment had been stolen a few days prior.

I for one think it was exactly what the H.G. intended as it spoke to my direct situation. I thank God for men who are sensitive to the moving of the spirit.

Originally Posted by Felicity

Well, as a former missionary I feel the missionary did himself and the congregation a disservice by not doing what he's actually there for and that's to share his burden, vision, and destination with the people so they are cognizant of the need and able to pray and give as well. He could have shared his Holy Ghost experience after that if that's how the Lord was leading.

Anyhow, having said that, I too love to hear about how people were born again and their Holy Ghost experience and other kinds of experiences and testimonies as well.

Hope others will join in here.

Sometimes God has other plans~ I remember it was our vacation time to see family and visited the church as the norm. That Sunday out of the blue a missionary from Kenya show up. Later the missionary was asked to preach, he had he slides set up, instead of telling us about Kenya and his work there, he felt God was dealing with the church people as a whole. He went on to say that God wanted to heal the hurt within this body, this man knew nothing about the Church or the hurt that had taken place within. That night many ran, not walked to the front asking God to forgive and mend their hearts.

The point is this, it took a person, someone far away like Kenya, someone who didn't know a single soul there personally, knew nothing about the problems or sickness within to minster and to open the eyes of the church to see, God was dealing with them. God wanted to heal, so sometimes God has plans Himself we just got go with them~ In the end I'm sure God blessed this man for follow Him~

[deltaguitar]

Originally Posted by Kutless

Pastor did a wonderful job introducing him. Told us where he was from. All of his equipment had been stolen a few days prior.

I for one think it was exactly what the H.G. intended as it spoke to my direct situation. I thank God for men who are sensitive to the moving of the spirit.

What is your situation?

Originally Posted by CupCake

Sometimes God has other plans~ I remember it was our vacation time to see family and visited the church as the norm. That Sunday out of the blue a missionary from Kenya show up. Later the missionary was asked to preach, he had he slides set up, instead of telling us about Kenya and his work there, he felt God was dealing with the church people as a whole. He went on to say that God wanted to heal the hurt within this body, this man knew nothing about the Church or the hurt that had taken place within. That night many ran, not walked to the front asking God to forgive and mend their hearts.

The point is this, it took a person, someone far away like Kenya, someone who didn't know a single soul there personally, knew nothing about the problems or sickness within to minster and to open the eyes of the church to see, God was dealing with them. God wanted to heal, so sometimes God has plans Himself we just got go with them~ In the end I'm sure God blessed this man for follow Him~

I can only imagine that God just might choose to let a missionary differ from his normal routine to save his sanity also. I have always been very impressed with missionaries and their willingness to travel night after night sharing their burden. They must like a break from time to time to just minister. After all, that is really what they are called to do. Going from place to place, many of them with children, does get terribly exhausting and for a missionary to get to go from a money raising format to a ministering format must seem like a breath of fresh air to him. A missionary that feels the unction to change the format to meet someone's need will also know that his own need will be taken care of by the same God!

On the other hand, I do see your point also, Felicity. And I know that you have experienced this first hand. A missionary would feel the responsibility to present the reason for which they came. Like I said, I do admire anyone who has taken on the wonderful task of being a missionary. Only God knows the sacrifices they have made.

[BoredOutOfMyMind]

We had a Missionary who was asked to not use his equipment a few years back. He was at a loss without the script and DVD......

Kutless, the testimony is excellent. Thank you for sharing.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Kutless

Pastor did a wonderful job introducing him. Told us where he was from. All of his equipment had been stolen a few days prior.

I for one think it was exactly what the H.G. intended as it spoke to my direct situation. I thank God for men who are sensitive to the moving of the spirit.

Oh I see. He was without his equipment. Missed that the first time around. Bad thing when a missionary doesn't have his equipment.

Anyhow .... *cough* .... I'm glad as I said earlier the missionary followed the Spirit's leading and that you all were ministered to.

Still think there was an obligation on his part to share his burden and calling. We never considered it a burden to share our burden.

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by MrsBOOMM

I can only imagine that God just might choose to let a missionary differ from his normal routine to save his sanity also. I have always been very impressed with missionaries and their willingness to travel night after night sharing their burden. They must like a break from time to time to just minister. After all, that is really what they are called to do. Going from place to place, many of them with children, does get terribly exhausting and for a missionary to get to go from a money raising format to a ministering format must seem like a breath of fresh air to him. A missionary that feels the unction to change the format to meet someone's need will also know that his own need will be taken care of by the same God!

On the other hand, I do see your point also, Felicity. And I know that you have experienced this first hand. A missionary would feel the responsibility to present the reason for which they came. Like I said, I do admire anyone who has taken on the wonderful task of being a missionary. Only God knows the sacrifices they have made.

We travelled with all 3 of our children on both deputations. First time around they were 3, 5 and 6 years old. They took part in every service and were in every service and that was when we had 5-7 services each week for months. The people and pastors loved it that they were involved. People respond well to children!

We loved deputation. We loved sharing our burden for China and for the Chinese people. There was great response and we were supported well.

We loved meeting so many new pastors and saints and having the opportunity to visit hundreds of churches all over the fellowship. We loved the fact that there were young people who were challenged and impressed enough to later make application themselves to become missionaries and AIMEers. We had several who worked with us while we were in HK. They were ALL - each on of them a great blessing to us.

Missions is where its at far as I'm concerned. It's the highest rung of the ministry ladder IMO.

Most of the missionaries who were our personal frends didn't consider deputation a burden for the most part, but an opportunity and a privilege.

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Kutless

But the night I rec'd the H.G. wasn't until a few years later at my Grandpa's church. At 10 I felt a strong tug on my heart to seek after the Lord. It did not happen the first, second or third night, but nevertheless I con't to seek for the H.G. Must have been an awful sinner. Finally it happened.

I am guessing the phrase in red was said as a joke and I will give you the benefit of the doubt that it was...

...however, I will springboard from that comment to say I think many people who receive the baptism of the HG by speaking in tongues hold this sentiment that when they don't get it right away, they start feeling guilty and examine themselves...and then when they do finally experience this, they ease their mind with the thought "Ahhh, now I must be in right standing with God....I must have done something right to deserve this"....and from here begins the dangers of self-righteousness and spiritual pride...and then the road to merit-based christian living begins...rather than a grace mindset....Rhona mentioned something in another thread about learning about grace in another church....