FGBMFiC TESTIMONIES

Revelation 12:11 "They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." NIV

ALBERT KIENLE

"I ask you to seriously consider Jesus Christ for your life and what He can do for you."

"...What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also .... But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect." (1 Cor. 15:3-8, 10)

I'd like to share with you how I became a Christian, and why. Becoming a Christian is not automatic; it's much more than just being born into a certain situation or performing religious activities. It's about encountering and experiencing the God of our Lord Jesus Christ for yourself, in a way that forever changes your life and destiny for the better! That is very powerful and meaningful!

Yes, I met and had an experience with God. No, I'm not a poached egg. Neither is my experience self or drug induced. And it has nothing to do with New Age philosophy. My spiritual encounter is real and life changing and life affirming. It wasn't of my initiation; it was all of God who is and became knowable.

Perhaps I should backtrack a little.

I am the last of five children born to farm parents at Quill Lake, Sask. Father was a German Lutheran. Mother, a Ukrainian Catholic. Because of the language and religious barriers we learned English and didn't often attend church. We learned, however, the value of family, hard work, and good times together. We attended a one room schoolhouse with a pot-bellied stove. This would play a significant role in our lives.

However, soon after my birth it was discovered I had cerebral palsy, affecting my walking and speech; something I bear to this day. I wasn't isolated though and partook of a regular life. My parents sought help from the best of medical science. They also contacted spiritualists and other forms of spiritual healing both for myself and Mother's asthmatic attacks. For several years I was at a rehabilitation hospital in Regina, Sask.; this was a painful experience for me as a young boy being separated from family. Travel wasn't as accessible as it is today so I didn't get home regularly. Going home during long holidays were always anticipated. Returning was dreaded and filled with loneliness, fear, and anger.

A Christian schoolteacher was hired for our district and it was from her that we were first exposed to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Friends invited Mother and me to a Christian crusade in Prince Albert where Mother was converted to Christ and healed. She began praying for her family. When a travelling evangelist came into our area several family members made decisions for Christ. I was hospitalized during this time so did not have direct contact with the Gospel; mine was more of a mental assent to the faith rather than a living faith.

That was to change. As new believers in Christ my family took every opportunity to attend church where they preached what we now believed; the closest was, at the time, Saskatoon, a long drive. One summer day the decision was made to go there. I was back home again and since I could not be left alone I, quite reluctantly, had to go along.

While waiting in the back seat of our 1959 VW for the rest to come to make the trip something strange but miraculous began to take place. I do not know what was on my mind but I wasn't in the mood for the trip. Suddenly, without warning or anticipation on my part, the presence of Jesus Christ - the God of the universe - came into and filled the whole space of our little Volkswagen. It was profound! Big enough to fill the universe, small enough to fill my heart! That's God!

In an instant I was absorbed by it and into it. Amazingly there wasn't any sense of fear, just acceptance. I cannot explain it but this living Presence enveloped me and I felt happy, free, forgiven, and given a purpose for life. In that moment it was Jesus and me. I felt Him. I knew Him and He knew me. I wanted Him for all time and He wanted me for all eternity. I loved Him and He loved me. Jesus became a Person to me. And for the first time I felt like a real person. I mattered. I was someone. He cared about me.

I was different. I wanted more of Jesus. I read the little white Bible Mother gave me. I talked with God in prayer and God talked with me… Church was exciting, fresh, and new every time. We, as a family, was baptized in water, taking on the name of Jesus for our lives. I was also filled with the Holy Spirit, speaking in a heavenly language.

I'm grateful to the Lord Jesus Christ, for who He is and what He has done for and in me. I'm very passionate for the Cross and the Resurrection, the one event that changed the face of history and has the power to change the life and direction of every individual as it has mine. I'm thankful that God is now my heavenly Father; we are friends and I am, really am, His child. Also, the Holy Spirit has come to be with me; His residence is now in me and He empowers me to live and serve. He is the Great Equilibrium in my life.

Over the years I've grown and developed as a Christian. Friends told me about the FGBMF and I have often attended their rallies in my area. I appreciate their emphasis on salvation, healing, and the Holy Spirit active in our lives today. I will always fondly remember the time FGBMF sponsored Evangelist R.W. Shambaugh in Saskatoon. WOW!

There are things I'm unable to do. As a child I couldn't play outdoors with the other children. Thankfully my schoolteacher picked up on this and introduced me to the world of books. I became hooked. I also became interested in writing. I completed my education through correspondence and GED, along with several Bible and journalism courses. I live independently in Regina. In 1979 I received my driver's license and now drive a wheelchair equipped van. I enjoy going out to the farm every summer, helping where possible. My greatest joy is sharing my faith through speaking engagements as they arise but mainly through writing.

I've written newspaper columns for several local areas. Since the introduction of the Internet and e-mail I am able to communicate on a larger scale. I now mainly blog for myself and for the Regina Apostolic Church where I attend. And, recently I've taken to Facebook. What's next? Who knows! Perhaps Twitter, and onward ... These tools allow me to stay in touch with family and friends and to share always good news! Look for me wherever you are!

I count it a privilege to tell you what the Lord has done for me. He is the living and good God. And I ask you to seriously consider Jesus Christ for your life and what He can do for you. He is the best and only hope of humanity.

Thank you.

BOB DAVISSON

From cancer to LIFE!

THE BOB DAVISSON STORY

Bob is a former R.C.M.P. officer of 15 yrs. Postings were in Vernon, Kamloops City, Kamloops Rural, Kamloops Sub/Div. Police Service Dog Section, Depot Div. Firearms Section and Program Development. Bob pitched in the semi pro baseball league for Vernon & then Kamloops after his transfer.

After his years in the Mounties, Bob and his wife, Linda, were the owner/operators of the McDonald's Restaurant in Swift Current for 18 yrs.

Bob has had the privilege to represent Canada in three different world championships. He pitched for Canada in the Junior World Baseball Championships in Cuba, Shot at the Police Combat Championships in Jackson, Mississippi, and Olympic discipline pistol in Free pistol and air pistol in Caracas Venezuela.

After many years with lung problems Bob was diagnosed with a lung tumor in the spring of 1984. For Bob this was a death sentence.

His desire was to be struck by a train. To give himself a painless and seemingly accidental death. To relieve himself of his tired and diseased body. Bob took Linda to what he thought would be their last date to a Full Gospel Business Men's banquet. There he was struck but it was with the hand of God. And because of a vision and a healing so extraordinary, so wonderful, he's now making plans to live forever.

After Bob & Linda retired in 2000 they moved to and now live in Medicine Hat, AB. Bob is founder and president of Glory Bound Ministries. He also recently founded and is President of Lifeline Haiti. He has ministered in over 20 countries around the world. Bob's main mission field is Haiti providing schools, education, food and basic needs for the children of Haiti. At the present time they have 15 schools in 12 locations with over 2700 students.

DOUG LAWSON

"The Lord had His hand on my life from the time my parents first took me to Sunday School ..."

PERSONAL FGBMFiC TESTIMONY:

Doug Lawson V.P., Sherwood Park, Alberta Chapter

The Lord had his hand on my life from the time my parents first took me to Sunday School as a young child in an eastern Canadian church and read Bible stories to me at night before bed-time. However, as a young teenager, I left the organized church.

Because of my university studies in Classical Greek, people at my parents' church encouraged my parents to give me, one Christmas, the Greek New Testament as a Christmas present. At first when I started to read the Gospel of Matthew, I thought to myself how quaint it was to read these old Sunday School stories from the New Testament, only in the original Greek. However, after reading for fourteen months, the truths of what I was reading in the gospel began to have an effect on me and opened me up to the idea of returning to church.

Unfortunately, in my church, the gospel was not really preached. After taking a religious detour through a cult, I found myself attending a students' retreat in Quebec, organized by Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. At that retreat, the leader helped me understand that, as he put it, "Christianity was about Christ". Because of the way in which I came to faith in Christ, I have always felt the great importance in my life and in the lives of other Christians, that we, as believers, remain centred on Jesus and on the Scriptures.

I was asked to share my personal testimony the Sunday evening of the retreat in a Montreal Baptist Church. Not knowing any theology or Bible, I simply told the people at that church about how God had taught me to accept myself. As I look back, I now realize it was at that retreat that I came to saving faith in Christ and began to call myself a Christian.

Less than a year later I received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit, evidenced by my speaking in other tongues. I got actively involved in Christian High School work.

I taught overseas with C.U.S.O. in Madagascar for two years and then moved to western Canada in 1974, living in a charismatic Christian community on an isolated ranch, where I married Maria. We both taught school in a small northern B.C. city and attended church and FGBMFiC banquets in a chapter where I served in a wide range of capacities. Also, for three years, I was the lay-missionary of a mainline Church in this B.C. city.

Once my wife retired from teaching this past July, since we have no family where we were living, we decided to move to Sherwood Park, Alberta, near our son and his wife. I am currently in a Masters of Divinity program at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton and doing pulpit supply for two churches in the Edmonton area. It has been a joy and a privilege for me here in the Edmonton/Sherwood Park area to get involved with the FGBMFiC chapter. There is a great group of men in the chapter. The Red Deer Men's Advance was a success in every way and a delight to attend.

My wife and I do not know what the future holds for us, now that we've moved to a different province after 31 years in B.C. In the meantime, I have enjoyed my involvement with the work of laymen, who are eager, without pay, to serve Christ in the spreading of his gospel.

DR. JOHN ROWE

"Then the Lord spoke to my inner being..."

TESTIMONY OF GOD'S HEALING LOVE

by Dr. John Rowe

Do you remember what Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension into heaven?

"All power is given unto me in heaven and on earth. Ye shall receive Power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You shall be witnesses unto me in Jerusalem and in and in Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

Jesus finished with this great promise: "Lo, I am with you until the end of time."

Isn't this promise of Jesus a tremendous rock of faith to stand on at all times, and especially the hard times in our lives.

I used to be a very selfish person, but since my conversion, God has given me a greater and greater love for people. One way all of us can show our love for others is by praying for them, especially when life gets rough and rocky.

This truth reminded me about something that happened in my office. An elderly lady patient came to see me, complaining about her eyes, and how little her glasses helped her. (I am an optometrist.) I listened to her as she became more and more obnoxious and abusive. She totally ignored everything I tried to say. As this went on and on I thought to myself, "Lady, I don't have to put up with this; I am going to lay you out in lavender and kick you out of my office."

Then the Lord spoke to my inner being. "John, pray for this lady." I thought, "Whoa – pray for this lady? That's nuts!" That inner voice insisted, and since I have learned the hard way to be obedient, I made a 180 degree turn. I said to her, "You are so upset, you must be going through some hard times." She then stopped her ranting, and speaking in a more normal voice, told me about some horrendous family problems. I believe a family member had died, leaving a substantial estate, and the whole family were having a battle royal over the will. So, with all the anger and hate, and her own poor health, she had reached the end of her rope.

I said to her, "I don't know the answer to your problems, but I know somebody who does, and His name is Jesus. Would you be comfortable if we prayed for your family?" She nodded, and I prayed a simple little prayer, asking our Lord to bring healing and reconciliation to the family.

The Lord totally transformed that lady, and she left the office walking in air and with a face glowing with peace and joy.

The lesson I learned through this experience is that the more difficult and obnoxious a person is, the more they are hurting.

The very last thing they need is rejection, and what they really need is sympathy, love, and acceptance.

FRANK LEIER

"ASHES TO GOLD"

ASHES TO GOLD

Barbara and Frank Leier, former FGBMF Director

The land is flat and awesome. Farm buildings dot the countryside. Miles of gently undulating grain fields surround the Sedley area in south eastern Saskatchewan where Frank was born.

His Mom died when Frank was about two years of age and his Dad remarried. This union brought together three families: her children; his Dad's children and then, another child of the new marriage.

Although he was a prankster with mischievous tendencies, Frank was a favourite child. With his quick wits and coarse humour, life was good. His atheistic abilities developed early and when he smiled, little crinkles would form at the corners his sparkling blue eyes. Later in life, he married Barbara, a brown-eyed, God-fearing girl from Vibank, Saskatchewan and the good life continued. A hard-worker, Frank started in the trucking industry hauling gas, grain and cattle and eventually started his own electrical contracting business which over the years has grown and prospered. After his marriage, his passion for sports blossomed and he curled until all hours; refereed hockey; umpired and played baseball - often at the expense of spending time with his growing family. Frank and Barbara were blessed with six children but Barbara often spent time at home alone.

In 1956, and again two years later, Frank's life was miraculously spared. The first time, when he drove into the back of a tractor at sunset with such an impact that the tractor split in two and the engine of his car ended up on the seat beside him: the second time, when he got caught in an electrical transformer on a steel tower. Frank heard the hum of the electrical energy go through his body before someone pulled the switch and cut the power.

In 1977, a man came to visit at their farm. In the farmyard beside their barn, the man shared with Frank the goodness of what Jesus had done in his life. At that time, Frank really wasn't interested. Yet, Barbara was already searching and had been searching for some time. Barbara had been raised in a praying home. She was a regular and faithful churchgoer. However, through the witness of two local women who acknowledged that they were charismatic, in the fall of 1978, Barbara registered Frank, two of their children and herself at a Charismatic Convention in Saskatoon. As a business trip coincided with the convention in Saskatoon, Frank agreed to go.

The Convention was full of praise and worship and after he arrived, Frank really wondered why he was there. However, because of his curiosity, he stuck it out. After a late supper the second evening, he and Barbara attended a prayer meeting in a private room of the hotel. Room 603, October 15, 1976 2:15 AM, Holiday Inn, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - a room, time and place Frank will always remember.

In the room, they witnessed Jesus heal a lady's nervous condition and then, lengthen a man's leg by about one-half an inch. Frank began to question, "Lord, Lord, where did the meat, the bone and the skin come from?"

"Lord, Lord, where did the meat,
the bone and the skin come from?"

While he was still meditating on what had happened, the woman who had been set free from the nervous condition asked for prayer for one leg which was shorter than the other. It had been that way since birth. When Frank witnessed this healing, it was almost too much. Then Barbara stepped forward for prayer for degenerative discs in her neck and fell under the power of the Holy Spirit. (A year later it was medically confirmed that her neck was totally healed). Then they asked Frank and Barbara, "Would you like to make Jesus Christ Lord and Saviour of your life?" Frank was quick to reply, "Certainly!" They repeated a prayer to ask Jesus to come into their hearts as Lord and Saviour and in accordance with the Gospel of John Chapter 3, Verse 3, were born again. Then, they were asked if they would like to be baptized in the Holy Ghost according to the Book of Acts, Chapter 2. Frank responded, "If it's of God, we want it." Barbara was baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues immediately. Frank tarried.

The next day, the Leiers, as a family, received prayer. As he went to thank the man who was leading the worship, Frank found himself on his back - laid out flat. Frank could move his hands and his feet but could not move the rest of his body. He struggled with it until he heard a voice say, "Rest in the Holy Spirit". So, Frank relaxed. It was as peaceful and as beautiful as you would ever want.

Things then started to happen quickly in their lives. They became hungry for the Word of God and began to attend a multitude of Christian gatherings.

God began cleaning up Frank's life and he started operating in the supernatural gifts of God as described in 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12. After seeking water baptism by full immersion, Frank was healed of a growth on his big toe the size of a small pigeon egg. Following his immersion in water, Frank was "slain in the Spirit" and saw a vision of angels side-by-side with wings spread, praising the Lord Jesus Christ!!!

Frank and Barbara Leier have both been blessed as they have been obedient to God's command for us to forgive others, as we have been forgiven by Him through Christ Jesus, our Lord. God has spoken to them, in dreams, visions, by His still, small voice and audibly. The Leiers are often used of God as His instruments to bring healing to others. Praise His holy name!!!

FRED FLECK

"CHILD'S NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT ..."

CHILD'S NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT LEADS

TO LIFETIME MINISTRY OF SONG

July 10, 1946 was one of the most exciting days in this little boy's life. The twelve-year-old was going to his first CALGARY Stampede. The tension rose as he neared the gate and heard the sounds of country music. He was so overwhelmed by the dazzling display he started to run ahead of his group. His older brother Paul chuckled remembering the thrill of his first time. Little did either of them know there was a drunk behind the wheel of a stock truck swerving out of control directly into the little boy's path. Paul looked on in horror as his brother was knocked to the ground and crushed by the dual-wheeled truck. Onlookers frantically ran to the boy's side. But one glance at his crushed pelvis and abdominal injuries made most of them shake their heads. How could he survive being run over by a two-ton truck that left his pelvis broken, his rectum ripped open and drained almost every ounce of blood from his small body? The boy lost six pints of blood, a situation from which most adults would never recover. Yet, despite his grave injuries this young fellow never lost consciousness. He never lost his voice. He never lost his faith. As he lay lifeless in a pool of blood he called out. "Oh Lord, don't let me die. If you spare my life and let me live, I'll sing for you the rest of life."

No one doubted the boy's intentions or faith. He committed his devotion to Christ as Savior long ago when he first started singing at four years of age. In fact, his mother always said, "You're like my sewing machine, a Singer." But the medical establishment did not share his belief in miracles. After he was rushed to the Calgary General Hospital and his parents were contacted at their farm – located at Carstairs, Alberta – Dr. Townsend presented the grim prognosis. The bone specialist pulled his mother and father aside to tell them their little boy would probably not live to see another day. If the parents would authorize a colostomy the young lad might have a 50-50 chance of survival, but would never lead a normal life. The boy had the surgery and woke up in the morning flat on his back with his parents at his side. A combination of the intense pain emanating from his back and side and the sight of his father weeping reinforced the seriousness of his condition. Still, he clung to his faith and to the promise he had made to God. His mother offered her support by holding vigil at the hospital every day for the next six months.

Throughout his recovery the 12–year-old faced two conflicting opinions about his future. The doctors, who were amazed that he'd lived through the surgery, predicted he would never be able to live a normal life because he would always require artificial means to rid his body of waste. But, Rev. Frank Kosick of a downtown Calgary Church sided with the faith of the boy and his parents. Every day for three weeks the pastor came to his bedside to pray for God's healing grace. Every day the young boy, racked with pain and unable to move, reinforced his promise to sing gospel for the rest of his life in exchange for his life. It was a powerful plea that soon spread to the community. Soon people from all over Alberta were praying for his recovery. Six months later the patient left the hospital on crutches and six weeks later, the boy the doctors claimed would never walk unassisted abandoned his crutches.

Still, the 13-year-old's colostomy did not provide him with the freedom to run and play ball with the other kids. There were always problems, always accidents with the colostomy. The boy's sympathetic father took him in for a check up in the hopes the doctor could offer him life without the colostomy. Surgery, said the doctor, was almost certain to fail at providing the boy with any form of self control. All the way back to the farm the boy thought about how his faith in God had proved the doctors prognosis wrong once before. With his promise to sing in place, he was certain God would see him through this final journey to full health. After talking with his parents, they agreed to let him undergo a sixth surgical procedure aimed at eliminating the colostomy. When he awoke and found out he was still wearing a colostomy his faith did not waver. Within a year of the reconstructive surgery he convinced his parents that his tired little body would work on its own if they would allow him to put away the colostomy. As a result, within two years of the terrible accident that most thought would claim his life or leave him crippled, the boy was not only walking on his own two feet, but was free of the colostomy!

By the time he became 18, the young man was more convinced than ever of the power of prayer. His body was healed. It was time to get on with living the normal life the doctors claimed he would never have and spreading the good word. He knew he couldn't remain on his parent's farm. The doctor had told him the work of pitching straw, hauling hay and milking cows was more than his body could handle. To this day to believe his move to Calgary led him to more of God's blessings. One Sunday in 1954 at a church service in downtown Calgary he saw his future bride. "There she was," he says, "playing violin and singing in a trio." When they met after the service she invited him to sing with her in the garden of a Scottish nursing home. "We sang together on the day we met," he remembers. Now fulfilling his promise became a family affair. The couple put out their gospel album entitled Some Day in 1964 and have been singing together for almost 50 years. When their three girls – Connie, Bonnie and Dolores – come along they were added to the group and put out their first album in 1978. "We sang in more nursing and seniors homes than any family I know", he says.

In 1954 when the money ran out for attendance at Calgary's Berean Bible College this same young man took a sales job at a shoe store that led to a career in life insurance. A customer was so impressed with his sales acumen he invited him to join his firm. The young man went on to work for Empire Life for 40 years. In that time he not only carried on with a normal career, but distinguished himself by winning the National Quality Award for 32 consecutive years and achieving lifetime membership at the Million Dollars Round Table. He continued to fulfill his promise by using his business travel to sing whenever and wherever he could.

As you may have guessed that boy who was left for dead by a hit and run driver back in 1946 is the man called Fred Fleck who you see before you today. The broken child has grown into a whole man with a life blessed with good health, a loving family, modest business success and now grandchildren. But by far the part of his life of which he is most proud is the fulfillment of his promise to the Lord. Before and after his retirement he has been presented with many opportunities to sing the Lord's praises and share his story. He has sung for the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, the Korean President and Israeli Army General next to the Sea of Galilee and at a Blue Jay pre-season game in Florida. In fact, Fred travels extensively in Canada and the United States fulfilling up to 100 requests a year, including stints as a singing Santa Claus. The proceeds of his concerts are used to buy Bibles for shipment to the former Soviet Union.

"Every day I thank my Lord and Savior for sparing my life and for the gift of song", says Fred. "He gave me this verse from Romans 8:38 and 39 many years ago that I have been singing for 40 years."

FOR I AM PERSUADED

"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor principalities, nor angels, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor heights, nor depths, nor any other creatures shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord and that is the Christian's hope."

If you would like more information about Fred Fleck's story or music or would like to request an appearance call toll free 1-800-547-2881 or write to the address below:

Fred & Muriel Fleck,
339 Rocky Ridge Dr. NW
Calgary, Alberta Canada T3G 4X3

GARY HOTCHKISS

We serve a God who is able to set us free COMPLETELY from sin.

TESTIMONY OF FREEDOM

by Gary Hotchkiss

It is for freedom that Christ Jesus has set you free! - Galatians 5:1

I was raised in a very religious family - a good family, though. We attended church at least 3 times a week even if it meant driving for an hour one way. This set the stage for my life to become dedicated to God. I was always so impressed that my stingy, penny-pinching dad would put so much time, effort and money into church. So, I thought that there must be something to it.

My parents chose to shelter us from "the world", thinking that it would help us integrate better into it. So, I was totally unprepared when, at age 10 or 11, an older cousin introduced me and my younger brothers to pornography. To this day, I clearly remember the very first picture he showed us.

It didn't mean much to me at the time. But, when I was in my teens and the hormones began raging, I remembered those pictures and began craving them. The desire escalated into an addiction by my early twenties. It was now too late! I was hooked. I usually only ever acted out in purchasing magazines. But, I did go see a few XXX movies when I was in university.

I felt guilty about it every time I acted out, so I became very good at hiding my addiction because I was ashamed of it. When I got married, it didn't openly affect the marriage, to my knowledge. If it did, my wife never let on. The marriage actually began crumbling long before she ever knew about it, or even could have suspected it. But, it did become an escape from the pain of being married to someone who wasn't there in her heart.

In 1986, my wife gave me an ultimatum regarding the marriage. We were living in Toronto, Ontario at the time. I was about to begin a career which promised to be a very good one. She wanted to go back to North Bay, Ontario "with me or without me". She said that she didn't want to live in such a big city anymore.

This was the first time in my life that I had a real, personal conversation with God. With His help, I decided to give up the career in the hope that the marriage would be saved. We moved back to North Bay and I discovered six months later that my wife's real reason for wanting to move back was an affair she was having! She finally left me in 1991.

Even after the marriage breakdown, the addiction wasn't something I acted out on very much. Getting the odd magazine or renting a movie was enough, it seemed. And later, the internet became a cheap and easy source.

Somehow, I knew that I needed to be rid of this horrible thing, but hadn't the slightest idea as to how to do that. Such things were never talked about by my family. I continued to feel the guilt, but couldn't seem to get a handle on it. Sometimes I would go for weeks even months without looking at any porn. But, it was always there - in my heart.

When I joined Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship, I began attending a yearly meeting in Peterborough, Ontario called an Advance (because in FG we don't retreat, we advance). I knew that God was calling on me to let it go and trust Him, especially at those meetings, but I was afraid of "being found out".

In 2004 when I was at the FG Advance, the Lord spoke very clearly to me. It was Saturday night, the last meeting. The speaker was making the altar call. Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and I remember clearly that he cocked his head slightly, like he was listening to something. He even made the musician stop and he said, "God has just told me that there's a man here who wants to be free from pornography. Come forward now and God will set you free!" Well, I knew but I knew but I KNEW that the man was me!!!

The problem is that I was standing there with my friends John and Ken on either side of me. If I was to go down there, I would have to have one or both move out of the way for me. Obviously, they would know that I struggled with porn. And, again, I felt that I couldn't face the pain of being found out. I didn't go down.

The following year, in 2005, I went into that weekend determined to be rid of this demon thing! The main speaker was Barry Adams, the author of "The Father's Love Letter". Through the weekend he shared with us how he'd had a bad relationship with his father – as I had – and how he had struggled with an addiction to pornography and self-image – as I had!! He talked about the fact that he never had a very fruitful relationship with God because he didn't have a good perception of God, and he had gotten into pornography as an escape. The whole time, I knew that THIS WAS IT – God was speaking directly to ME!

Through the weekend I spent a lot of time with my friend Eric. I shared everything with him. I mean ALL the details! I felt I needed to get a huge load off of my back. Eric shared a lot of his struggles with me as well. That encouraged me, that an older brother also struggled. He also spoke a number of things to me through the weekend that I knew in my heart were coming directly from God.

One of those was that God wanted me to know that He was proud of me and that I'd been doing a good job with my life!! How cool is that?! That God Almighty would be proud of ME!!

Another thing God told me was that I needed to forgive myself. That was almost a shock! I had never thought of that. But, with Eric's help, I did that and immediately felt the pressure leaving.

Again, Saturday night comes… Barry was on stage; he was calling men forward. God was obviously there doing amazing things. Then, Barry said, "Any man here who has had a bad relationship with his dad, come forward." So, I went. Then, Barry told all of the other men to come down and stand behind those of us already there, and to place their hands on our shoulders or backs. That's when it happened!!

I felt at least two or three hands on my back and shoulders. Then, I began to realize I was feeling a pair of hands there that were very different from the others. I began to concentrate on those Hands. Those arms surrounded me and I physically, literally felt myself picked up like a baby. I was in the arms of Father God!!! And, my head fell against His chest.

In an instant, I heard His heartbeat and saw/felt/sensed so many things! I cannot describe in human terms how long I was there. But, after some time Jesus touched my shoulder and pointed. I saw myself there on the ground, naked and dirty with chains wrapped around me. I couldn't get up. I couldn't do anything. As I watched, Jesus reached forward and touched the chains with His finger. The chains suddenly were breaking and falling to the ground … AND I WAS FREE!!!!! Then, I looked up and saw Jesus pointing way over there. Into the past. At the cross of Calvary. And I realized that He was showing me that I had been made free way back there! I had been free all the time, I just didn't know it! I had been lied to and believed the lie. The chains were actually nothing! They hadn't even really been there! And, now I was free to believe the truth and to begin walking out that freedom.

I don't know how long I was there or what else the Lord showed me or said to me. I know there was more, but... in His time. Slowly, I came to realize that I was laying on the floor looking up at Barry on the stage. So, I just lay there for a bit soaking in the realization that I WAS FREE!!! I was wonderfully, gloriously free!

Since that day I have experienced a marked growth in strength. God had a recovery program called Celebrate Recovery begin in my home church. I attended and learned a lot about how to walk out the daily routine of recovery. Also, God has fulfilled a dream He gave me when my first wife was about to leave me. He had shown me the woman He had chosen for me! This gave me the strength to focus on Jesus rather than focusing on finding another wife. God waited 16 years, but He has brought me to that 'dream' woman. We got married in July 2009!

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that God has been gracious enough to allow me to learn that I must "work out my own salvation with fear and trembling". Whereas I have met other men who were blessed with instantaneous freedom not only from the addiction but also from further temptation. God doesn't always do the same thing the same way in different people.

His word is true when He says He comes to set the captive free! And, He has set us free for the sake of being free.

Praise God I'm free! I'm free! I'M FREE INDEED!! And, you can be as well!

HOWARD HEFFERNAN

"JESUS HAS SET ME FREE!"

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

HOWARD HEFFERNAN

I was raised in a Christian home and as a boy felt that God was proud of me as my Dad was proud of me. But, when I grew up, I was seduced by the philosophies of rebellion that were prominent in the 60's. When we went overseas and I gained more worldly wealth and power, I gradually stopped even believing there was a God. My gods became work and money. And, as I sinned more and more, I drank more and more to suppress my guilt.

Then, when I was fired in Saudi Arabia – I didn't realize at the time it was God's mercy - and came home to Canada. I had more time on my hands and took a good look at what I had become. I didn't like what I saw. From outward appearances, I was a successful engineer with a beautiful family, but on the inside I was bitter and restless and felt that I was betrayed by my fellow man. I wanted to have peace, but I didn't know how to find it. Then, one day in 1978, I came home from work in Calgary and I was told by my wife, Diane, that she had a personal encounter with Jesus and gave her life to Him.

Diane said she had gone to a neighbourhood prayer meeting and found it very strange there - Catholics and Protestants from several denominations were praising Jesus together, praying in tongues, that is in languages they didn't understand, prophesying, and speaking of Jesus as though they knew Him personally. She had never planned to go back, but something about the genuineness of what she had witnessed drew her back to the prayer meeting on a weekly basis. It was Diane's experiences there that really got my attention. Also, she suddenly had this wisdom and peace in her life. I could see what she had was real - and I wanted what she had.

Then one Sunday in January 1979, I was reading the new Bible Diane had given me - I was lying on one couch in our living room, she was on the other. I was planning to read a chapter in Paul's letter to the Romans. But when I started reading Romans, I couldn't stop at one chapter - it was as though the words suddenly had life. Saint Paul was explaining to the Romans how all men are separated from God through sin. But God has a plan for each person's salvation through personal faith in Jesus Christ - if you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, you will be saved, it says in Romans Chapter 10 verses 9 and 10.

By receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour mankind would gain eternal life - by rejecting Jesus, humanity would condemn themselves to eternal separation from God which is death.

It was as though I was hearing the Good News for the first time - like a light was turned on inside my head. I leaped off the couch shouting to Diane, "It's all true! God is real!" It was such good news! Diane says my face was so radiant I could have lit up a dark room. God had sovereignly filled me with His Holy Spirit as I read scripture in my living room.

I read the Bible all that afternoon and nearly every day since then. God's Word has transformed my life.

Although God loves us right where we are at - unconditionally, He will do everything He can to get us to remove from our lives the things that prevent us from getting close to Him.

In Diane's case, her blockage was the occult. Although she never even admitted to herself that she was attracted to the occult, she dabbled in things like yoga and our house was filled with books about astrology. In my case, the biggest wall between me and God was unforgiveness.

Two of the ladies who had laid hands on Diane for the baptism of the Holy Spirit were invited by Diane to come to our house to pray for me for inner healing.

I didn't know what that was but if it was from God I wanted it. Diane wasn't home when they came, and since we were complete strangers to one another, I don't know who was more nervous, them or me. They started praying for me and the Holy Spirit that indwelt them because of their relationship with Jesus, revealed things to them through the gifts He had given them in accordance with 1 Corinthians Chapter 12 of the Bible.

God's Holy Spirit showed them that part of my problem was ancestral - that resentment and unforgiveness had been passed down through my ancestry and that I had to ask God to forgive this sin on behalf of my ancestors as well as myself. I found this strange that sin could be passed through birth from one generation to the next, but I was to learn that it was scriptural.

Exodus 34:7 says that "God punishes the children and their children's children for the sin of their fathers to the third and fourth generation." If our parents or grandparents had unrepented sin in their lives, it is likely that we will have a propensity for the same sin and will likely fall into the same sin patterns when given the opportunity. With my Irish heritage and knowing that my relatives still hated Cromwell, who has been dead for 300 years, I had no difficulty asking God to forgive me and my ancestors for unforgiveness and resentment.

The next thing that God showed them was that I held deep resentment toward one of my sisters. Now they didn't even know I had a sister, and here they were saying that I had resented one of my sisters since she was born. I knew who they were talking about - it was my sister Maryann.

And I was angry at God. Why should I have to forgive her - hadn't she done this to me and that to our family. She needed to ask God and me for forgiveness, not me ask God and her for forgiveness. Then I remembered that I was 3 years old when she was born in January and since she was the 4th child in less than 6 years, I was sent to live with my grandmother. The first time I told this story, I said it was for 6 months, but my mother informed me it was less than 2 weeks. I had hated being away from my parents so I had blamed my little sister.

By the time I was 35 this seed of resentment had grown into a full blown hatred for my sister and, of course, in my own mind I was quite justified. I could think of a 1000 reasons to hate her. But I knew God was asking me to forgive her so I willed to do so even though I didn't feel like it, and I asked God to forgive me for my hatred.

When I saw my sister later, I asked her forgiveness - and instantaneously, miraculously, the Lord gave me a love for her and her family that is beyond understanding.

JESUS HAS SET ME FREE !

WILLMER WILLEMS

"I was born with a handicap..."

TESTIMONY

BY WILLMER WILLEMS

I was born on a farm seven miles W.S.W. of Waldheim. I was the fifth of seven children, (four boys and three girls). Born to Ben and Marie (Welk) Willems.

I was born with a handicap, in that I did not walk until I was past two years old nor did I talk until I was well past three years of age and then I stuttered badly. This stuttering hindered me throughout school and teaching. I failed grade three due to the fact I could not read and speak properly. A kind hearted teacher came in September, when asked why I was in grade three, he told me, "Work hard after Christmas and I'll promote you into grade four". While in grade five I became discouraged and unhappy, as people began to call me "Big Ben's Stupid Brat" (my father being over six feet tall and 275 pounds). It was here that God blessed me greatly and taking me into the upper heights of mathematics, no one in school could add and subtract faster than I could. Although I struggled with the other subjects throughout school, high school and University, mathematics saw me through with great marks, ending one point short of graduating with honours at University of Saskatchewan with my Bachelor of Education with major in Mathematics and a minor in Ancient History. My Minor later assisted me when I completed my Bible School with a major in Pastoral Leadership.

I spent thirty years in teaching profession and seven years with the Saskatoon City Police Force. The seven years in the police force gave me a new outlook on life and greatly assisted me with last twenty years in high school. I also enrolled in a Toastmasters Speakers Course, and completed the course and received my DTM (Distinguished Toast Masters Certificate).

I retired from teaching in 1983, taking the last year as sick leave due to a car accident. Life suddenly took a great change, I was introduced to Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship. I attended a banquet meeting in Calgary January 1984, with President Alex Florence and Buzz Goertzen as speaker. That evening an angel visited me and spoke to me and I have never been the same again. The next month Alex introduced me to the baptism of the Holy Spirit with power and fire. Shortly after I was phoned that I had received my Toastmasters' award my DTM and outstanding Toastmaster of the year.

In 1995 I was asked to take over the treasurer's positions for the Saskatoon Chapter, Prairie Regional Convention, Saskatchewan Outreach and Couple's Advance. It wasn't long before I knew the anointing was where the speaker was and this would pass on to people next to him. The result was that I spent an lot of time with speakers as I was the only retired person available. I completed two years in Bible School in pastoral leadership. I took on the position of Pastor of Children's Ministry for next 8 to 10 years. FGBMF and Church filled my life. I saw what GOD can do if we give him the room in our life. Children were taught to praise and worship God and in turn He would answer their prayers. It was an exciting thing to see children 8 to 12 years of age pray for adults who in turn were healed. Hundreds and hundreds came to be saved, marriages were restored, people were set free and delivered. Our Prairie Regional Convention grew to well over 2000 adults, teens and children attending. Thousands of people would never be the same again. I also spent one year on the National Audit Committee, which again was a new experience. With all this growth, the Devil was not happy and began as written in John 10:10 the thief is come to kill, steal, and destroy.

February 2006 my life took a sudden change, "the thief is come to kill, steal, and destroy" when I ended in the emergency room. We had been active all weekend and Sunday night I suffered pain in the lung area and was rushed to the Hospital. Result, trouble in the heart area. But unable to have an angiogram for a week or more. As an emergency I was taken to Royal University Hospital and was informed I needed emergency surgery for one blocked artery and four partially blocked arteries. The cause the blocked artery was filled with soft particles for the past week. Normally the heart does not survive complete blockage for a week. I spent the better part of six hours in the operating room with eight to twelve people in white coats. Before surgery I asked Jesus to hold me in His arms and guide the surgeon's hands to His Honour and Glory. The next morning the Doctor stood at the foot of my bed with a smile on his face saying, "I just do not understand. You have survived the most dangerous and difficult surgery in medical history and here you are smiling and getting colour in your face." The next five days I could sense the presence of Jesus sitting on my bed and we had wonderful talks. His presence stayed beside me until days after I was home, after which His anointing stayed with me.

Friends, yesterday is gone for ever, tomorrow will never come, today is the time that counts. It's a present from the Lord, DON'T waste it. God has a miracle for you. Let Him take over in your life. "Jesus is come to give us life and life abundantly."

Willmer can be contacted at: wfwillems@sasktel.net

Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship in Canada

Testimonies

ALBERT KIENLE

BOB DAVISSON

THE BOB DAVISSON STORY

DOUG LAWSON

PERSONAL FGBMFiC TESTIMONY:

Doug Lawson V.P., Sherwood Park, Alberta Chapter

DR. JOHN ROWE

TESTIMONY OF GOD'S HEALING LOVE

by Dr. John Rowe

FRANK LEIER

ASHES TO GOLD

Barbara and Frank Leier, former FGBMF Director

FRED FLECK

CHILD'S NEAR FATAL ACCIDENT LEADS

TO LIFETIME MINISTRY OF SONG

GARY HOTCHKISS

TESTIMONY OF FREEDOM

by Gary Hotchkiss

HOWARD HEFFERNAN

PERSONAL TESTIMONY

HOWARD HEFFERNAN

WILLMER WILLEMS

TESTIMONY

BY WILLMER WILLEMS