Kevin

by Kevin
(Bristol, WI)

The short version because there isn't enough room for all of it.

I was baptized in Jesus name on 2-2-97. I received the Holy Ghost two days before this. I was filled standing alone in the dark at the altar in an Apostolic assembly that I was invited to by someone that I had just met. It was before the service, we arrived early, and he was turning on the lights and everything, I went straight to the altar and fell on my face.

I never heard one message about the Oneness of God before this. No one was laying hands on me screaming in my ear or trying to shake the Spirit into me, as I travailed before God. I had been repenting for over a year knowing that I wanted to know truth more than anything and was willing to go and find it, but I didn't know where it was. I had "accepted Jesus" when I was 9 years old. But, something in me knew that I was not biblically saved.

I was filled almost immediately, and went home with a grateful heart. When I saw what was in the Bible was what happened to me that night, I went back to that assembly three days later and was baptized in Jesus name.

God delivered me from the occult, from mental illness, from severe depression. I (literally) had devils cast out of me. (I know that devils scare many preachers in the UPC) because when I give my testimony they are taken aback, or tell me that I can testify but don't mention devils. But this is my testimony and God said to tell it.

I was taken out of my home in 4-point leather restraints because of self harm, and I had my hands around my mom's throat. I almost died from the torment that I was in, and killed her in the process. But God had mercy on me. While in the hospital I was physically blind and in a wheel chair suffering from blood clots in both legs. I was on over a dozen anti-psychotic drugs and received 30 shock treatments. The doctors declared that I would not live, and if I did I would not have control of my mind ever again. I was moved from one place to another and finally ended up at a treatment center.

One day I was found lying face down in a farmer's field in Southern Illinois almost completely dehydrated which should have caused permanent brain damage. Apparently I walked 5 miles from my aunt's house where I was staying. It was in the night, and I didn't even know that I left the bed. I thought it was a nightmare that I couldn't wake up from. They brought me to the hospital again and called my family to come and tell me goodbye.

I was told later that people from all over the country were praying for me. God heard them. Someone - I don't know who.
Jesus proved all the doctors, and faithless, wrong!

I was in the hospital and one day I just woke up and walked to the nurses station and talked to them. They all about fell out of their chairs because they told me that I was catatonic, mute, and bound to a wheel chair the entire time I was in the hospital until that moment.

Soon I was well enough to go home again. But I didn't realize at the time that God healed me so that I would have the chance to hear and obey the gospel.

His power is real, His Church is the truth.

Believe God and live!

Kevin