In the summer of 1982 as a 16yr old teenager, I made my first trip into a
Pentecostal Church, which was to be an eventful and life changing experience.
First, let me tell you a little of my background. I was raised Southern Baptist,
taken to Sunday School regularly by my mother. My father was a medical
professional. He was the president of the local country club. Growing up,
my attitudes and ideas concerning pentecostals was very negative. I thought
they were eccentric, extreme, over the top, etc, etc..... I came from a
social background in which we looked down on Pentecostals, so the last thing
that I ever thought was that one day I would be one of them. They were the
"across the tracks" religious folks that I did not want to identify with, but
all of this was soon to change.
So, back to my story, I made a visit to a UPC church in the summer of 1982 to
visit a girlfriend whose mother had been filled with the Holy Ghost. It was
revival time, and my girlfriend invited me to go. Of course, I was not interested
in going for the religious aspect. All I wanted to do was see my
girlfriend, but oh did God have something in store for me that night.
The church was in revival with Bro. Cecil Robinson. As the service started
and people began to lift their hands, pray out loud, praise out loud, I was
totally entertained by it all, and in fact I remember laughing to myself that
this was very funny and entertaining. When the evangelist read his text and
began to preach, I remember I really began to listen to his sermon. He was
preaching from the book of Revelation, and I had always had a fascination
with this book. As he began to preach, and I began to really listen to what he
had to say, a warmth flooded my soul and melted my heart. It was the most
wonderful feeling that I had ever experienced. I knew that it was Jesus. I
felt his love for me, and I heard him calling me to repentance, compelling me
to surrender my life to him. I resisted what I felt, because I felt like I was
having too much fun (living the party life) to quit doing the things I was
doing. Eventually, the feeling left me, but it had forever impacted me. I went
home, woke my mother up and told her what I had felt, and that if I ever
started going to church it would be in that Pentecostal church. My opinion
of Pentecost had forever been changed by one experience with the presence
of God.
Months later, my life was in such a mess from drugs that I would have killed
myself had it not been for the mercy of God and for my belief in heaven and hell.
I was tormented by LSD flashbacks and nearly lost my mind. In desperation, I
started going to church, and yes it was in the Pentecostal
church where I had felt God's spirit. Months later I was baptized in Jesus name
and filled with the Holy Ghost. It was the most liberating experience that I have ever felt.
I have been living for God for 23 years. They are without a doubt the best years of my life.
I tried everything the world had to offer, and I would not
trade Jesus for all of the pleasures of this world.
Not only has God blessed me spiritually, but he has given me a wonderful
family. Also, two years ago he led me into a career as a Financial and Investment
Advisor, and I have been blessed financially as well.
God has been so good to me. It all started with one visit to a Pentecostal
revival. I love the Pentecostal Church. I love the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ. I love
Acts 2:38. I love true holiness. I love the church and God's people. God bless you.
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