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I'd like to share a story with you...

The Lord has been gently drawing to His heart a teacher I work with, over the past couple of years. He is from a Catholic background, is married, and has two children - a daughter and a son. It's been great to see his hunger for the Lord - he's always asking me questions from the Bible, he often attends First Priority meetings at school, and he comes to our once a month prayer meeting that we have after school. He teaches in the Special Ed department - his class is what we refer to as "self-contained" or the "behavior unit" ... the worst of the worst... definitely an extremely tough position!

Last year he asked me if there were any activities at BAG for his son to get involved in. I told him about HA and cell groups and the next thing you know, his son is hooked up and diving into all HA offers. He’s an 8th grader, attends “Dournge” cell group and absolutely loves it!!.

I thought the family attended a local Catholic Church (the kids used to attend school there) so I never invited them to BAG. I recently found out that they don't attend regularly, so I invited them to come and visit. The Father has dropped his son off for discipleship with Pastor Paul the past couple of weeks and so again, I invited him to come to service Sunday... which he did.

I didn't know he had come, and I was sitting in the balcony watching as the hungry went forward for prayer to receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. And who was among those to go?... the son on the right side of the church and the father on the left side. Pastor Evon, as you directed altar workers to get with each person; I noticed the father never had anyone to pray with him. Pastor Aaron was standing at the other end of the altar and Pastor Evon finally directed Aaron to go to him. It was definitely a divine appointment.

I went down and quietly stood behind the father as Aaron prayed for him. God gently dropped him to the floor. I never spoke with him that day, but knew he'd be in my office Monday to talk about it... I was eager to hear what he had to say.

"WOW!" as he entered my office, "Wow! What can you tell me about the Holy Ghost? In the Catholic Church we pray in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost... and that's the only time the Holy Ghost is mentioned. Your preacher was teaching about the Holy Ghost."

I spent some time explaining who the Holy Spirit was and His purpose and place in our lives. I then asked him to tell me about his experience Sunday morning...

"It was wonderful - from the minute I walked in the door and the big guy in the suit greeted me. I sat in the back of the church - feeling a little uncomfortable in my jeans - but you told me it was ok to wear jeans. After I looked around, I saw others dressed casually, so I felt more comfortable. It was truly a 'worship' service. The music was wonderful. Tears streamed down my face - I don't know why. The pastor spoke about the Holy Ghost and invited us to go down. He said everyone responds differently... some get excited, some are quiet, and so on. So, I felt it was ok for me to go - there was no pressure how I needed to respond."

(By the way, he came to one or two BBF services with his son last summer and watched as God moved in power.)

"I stood down front as the pastor told prayer workers to go to someone at the front. It seemed like forever and no one came to me. Finally, Aaron came."

I asked him if he knew who Pastor Aaron was and he said yes, he remember him from BBF as he went "bam - bam - bam" praying for people. And he motioned how Aaron would lay hands on people and they fell out.

"I was standing there with my hands raised in surrender. I was praying and all of a sudden, it felt like my feet were pulled straight out in front of me and 'swoosh' I went down. I was so peaceful. I don't know how long I was there, and I kept telling myself to get up. Then I'd say to myself, no, you don't have to get up. It was so wonderful. Finally I was barely able to get up and go back to my seat. I went in church one way and came out another way!"

"Later that day, my wife came home from work and asked how church was and what happened... so I told her. Then I laughed. She asked me, and when I told her how I fell on the floor - I just laughed!!"

"My son said to me - you sure are in a good mood."

"Something is different and I want MORE!"

So, Pastors, I just wanted to share of this father’s experience and how each of you have played a part in one way or another in all God is doing in this family’s lives.

I can't wait to see the next chapter written....
Ain't God good!?!?!

P.S. The father just stopped by my office and told me this...

Sunday a lady dropped the son off at the house after skating with the youth. The lady came in the house and told him that when she was filled with the Holy Spirit, her life began to change... including no longer cussing. he thought that was interesting - and that was that.

He then told me that Monday morning he walked out of his house and didn't realize that there was ice on the stairs. He slipped and landed hard on his back. He was about to let out a string of horrible profanities, but they got caught in his throat.

His wife said - looks like you've been on your back twice in two days!

He said the devil may have put him on his back the second time, but "something" didn't let the profanity fly.

My back started hurting so bad last October that I could hardly bare the pain. After three weeks I went to Dr. Newlin. He started treatments every day. I started getting better. Christmas was a week away and I told the receptionist that I would see her after Christmas. I started hurting again a few days after that. I had so much to do in such a short time that I did not go back to Dr Newlin. I prayed one morning and said “I can’t handle this pain, Lord. If you are not going to heal me- then just take me on home with you.” I don’t remember the exact date I woke up and I was not hurting. All day I was afraid the pain would come back. It didn’t and has not come back since! The next day I was at home and I realized that God had healed me. The x-rays show I had 2 bulging disc plus a couple of other problems. I have had back problems since I was 17 years old. I knew Dr. Newlin and the office staff at church had prayed for me. I give God all the glory!

I would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Horton, her family and your extended church family for the generous and thoughtful care package you sent. I'm humbled that you would take the time to put all this together, for a stranger no less, during the holidays when the demands of time and energy are usually spend with family and friends.
Normally what I do when I receive a care package from home, and your package was no exception, is to pick out a few things for myself and then share the rest with as many people as I can. After eating all the kit-kats (my favorite) I took the box into the command post to share with the young airmen. Then I set it on the conference table during the morning briefing with the wing leadership, mostly crusty old colonels, who seemed to go for the chocolate.
I'd also like to thank you for the sermon on CD. I recently started reading the New Testament, but to save space and weight I brought a little "combat" bible that's small and hard to read under our florescent lights. The CD will be a welcome change of pace. We do have church services here, and I attend the "traditional" service, which seems to be a mix of Catholic and Lutheran type services (I'm Lutheran), including communion.
Thanks again for everything. I feel very blessed to have Shauna as a friend, and you, your family and church to cheer me up by sending all this sugar and chocolate! Merry Christmas.
Sincerely and Gratefully,
Jon Ratchick, Capt, USAF, Kuwait

I would like to share my genuine story, what I'm about to write is all true nothing but the truth.

Last Oct. 21 I was on the way to give an offering, then I was greeted by Pastor Evon and he ask me a question.What happened to that? (my arm) he smiled as he asked, my answer was someone hurt me, then he reply Ooh!! so then I also smile and went back to the pew. During the worship I prayed that if he could heal my right arm so I can raise it like everyone in the church while worshiping.

Oct.28 I came back with my sister Marilen and there was warm air felt like came from above
the ceiling as we were walking in the church it felt like I was embraced. I ask my sister if she felt it she didn't, I forgot my arm sling that day,needless to know I did not need it anymore. Then Pastor Evon ask if there were of you got healed and had been healed since you came to the church come forth and we will pray for you.

I went to the front of the Altar and with tear's of joy, Pastor Evon was then praying and anointing the people of God I was then touch then I felt fainted, I never experience. Its all new to me, now I am arm sling free. The surgery was done Aug. 1, 2007 for repaired rotator cuff and tear tissue. Thank you for your time.

We are among the newest members of your congregation and we are grateful for your spiritual guidance and ministry to our family.

One Sunday morning, after service, I came and asked you to pray for my father in law who was at the point of death. The strength of the Holy Spirit filled me with peace as you prayed and I took your prayer home and prayed for me father in law as you had done, laying my hands upon him, just had you had touched me in his place. We rejoice to tell you God answered your prayer and my father in law has survived and even regained his strength!