Thursday, April 28, 2011

Chattanooga, TN

I have no doubt in my spirit that you all were sent by God, because this revival has changed my life forever. Me and my wife were talking about and in the process of divorcing after outside counseling and church counseling, but all that changed during the revival. We are now showing love for one another and praying together and coming to church more. We are both saved and have been together for 25 years. Our lives have been changed forever and we are so grateful to God. Thanks to your ministry!!
Perry and Cindy Bates

It is hard to find the words to begin praising God for all He has done in my life this week!! I was the skeptic before your team arrived. I was thinking, "I don't need this type of meeting in my life!" Wow - was I so wrong, but God in His awesome grace continued to "prod" me along in His patient way. Monday evening, I was confronted with my sin of running to food as my comfort instead of to my Jesus. I relinquished this over to Him. Tuesday at the luncheon, I was confronted with my lack of respect for my husband. I continually kept him under a "carpet of criticism." This had been a habitual problem for most of our 24 years of marriage. My eyes were opened to this sin and I couldn't stand to look at myself as I knew God saw me. I confessed areas of disrespect to my husband and asked his forgiveness as well as the forgiveness of my children for bringing this sin into our home. Gaod has freed me of this!! Praise God I immediately felt the freedom that comes with the release of control and pride to God. Thank you so much for allowing God to use you in this incredible way and in touching others lives in such deep, thought provoking truths.
Lynn Smith

After our session Thursday night about having a clear conscience, my wife and I came home and I proceeded to confess sin from 17 years before in our marriage. God's grace was upon that moment and the healing will take time. Five hours later, at 3 AM Good Friday, I woke to an inch of water covering our downstairs living space. The washing machine hose for the cold water split open and was filling the rooms. After I turned it off, I realized we might get electrocuted because of the extension cords we were using that were in the water. Again, God's grace had protected us. I thought of your teaching and put on some praise music and began to praise God and pray for Janey as this followed our time of confession and repentance five hours before. God used this as a team-building, mate-building excercise. It was also much easier to let go of whatever may have been damaged with a focus on the eternal and not the temporal. Thank you. Words cannot express the impact you have made in our lives in Christ!!
Bruce



Thank you for giving of your hearts, time and talents to bring the life and truth of God's Word to Oakwood. Through this week, God has been cleansing me of things hindering me from a more intimate relationship with Him. I have forgiven those who hurt me, and have asked for forgiveness for those I've hurt and for holding onto bitterness and ill feelings towards some. God has also been testing my faith with respect to my obedience, asking me, "Will you obey me? Will you give me control of everything?" See, He hasn't been first in my life. He's been second to other things and I have not given him the time or dedication that I should. He has broken down my pride and built me back up as a more Christ-like individual. He has renewed my spirit. I praise Him for molding me into His likeness.
Emily Smith



God convicted me of a lack of personal time with Him; and not being the example for my children and my wife. This means prayer and Bible study. Not just alone, but visible to my children. I have not been the spiritual leader of my home.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Extraordinary movements in Lexington, SC

Just outside the capital of South Carolina sits a beautiful community called Lexington. We have spent the last 4 days seeking the Lord with the people of First Baptist Church, and God met with us yesterday in an extraordinary way!!


In our morning team meeting, the Lord began to soften the hearts of our team members, and Tyler, Sasha, and Sarah came to genuine, sincere surrender to Christ!! And in the evening service, Ryan had the privilege of baptizing all three of them.


Following their baptism, our service continued on for three hours with people coming to the front and publicly sharing all that the Lord accomplished in these 4 days. It was nothing short of a divine work of the Holy Spirit.

Adultery was confessed.

Forgiveness was sought.

Bitterness was released.

Chains of anger were broken.

Salvation came.

Obedience was modeled.

Rest was found.

Joy was evident.


A teenager left the youth building, came into the sanctuary and stood before the congregation to share that he had just asked Jesus to be Lord of his life. His father put his arm around him and together, they headed up to the baptistry and the father had the privilege right then to baptize his son!!


Six individuals came to the altar to be baptized, stating that they wanted to be baptized on this side of salvation!!


We ended the evening with corporate "popcorn praise" for the Lord and who He is. What a night of rejoicing!!

Thank you, Lord!!!