Bro Cecil Testimony
Praise The Lord!
I was first brought to this truth in 1981 in Peoria Illinois. at Apostolic Tabernacle, The First United Pentecostal Church Of Peoria.
Brother James Lashley was my pastor at that time, Great man of God. But this all began when I was at a grocery store were I had a lady to ask me if I could help her find a part for her husbands car. I then picked up the part and handed it to her then I introduced her to my wife. She invited us to a Church, I ask her if it was a Holiness Church? "She said yes" My wife and I went looking for that Church the next Sunday Morning; I never did see her there, but we started attending that Church, My wife received the Holy Ghost and we were baptized in Jesus Name on the same day, Sunday Morning a few weeks after we had started attending the Church. The assistant pastor taught us Bible studies. from Search For Truth.
That was really interesting to both of us. About six months later I received the Holy Ghost, Praise God! That was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I was in Apostolic Tabernacle Church for about seven an a half years.
I visited another Church called Lighthouse Tabernacle in Johnson City Tn. It was an United Pentecostal Church. Oh by the way, this Church was in need for helpers, there was not very many there in attendance. They were in need for Sunday School Teachers, Musicians and help in several different areas . I am a singer and a guitar player, I felt led of God to move here and help out. My wife I, and our two daughters began a new home here in Johnson City Tn, We attended there for about six years. I love people and I want only to witness and help folks to God. I started praying and fasting about all this and I sought God for about a year and a half. He moved my Family and I, to Harvestime Apostolic Church in Erwin Tn.
Bro Timothy H Carver is the pastor there, Great man of God. I have been in attendance there for almost eleven years now. I have seen a few problems along life's way, but Praise God, I am still going on for Jesus. Sometimes life gives us a few hard times, but there is Victory in Jesus Name!. I lost my right eye several years ago,when I was eighteen and it was so hard for me for a long time. Later after I got in the truth, in 1987 I almost lost my left eye, due to a retina detachment.
I worried and fretted through this experience with God. I had to go into the Hospital on a Sunday Morning. I didn't want this; I wanted to go to Church. I ask God why Lord? I was so afraid and troubled; but Sunday morning sometime during the wee hours of the morning, before I woke up,God spoke to me and He said; the doctors are waiting for you. That was when I knew God had told me to go to the hospital. I still wanted to go to Church and be in God's house. In spite of it all, my wife took me to the hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. I was there until Friday of that week, but one thing that was amazing and it still sticks in my mind; Friday morning before I woke up, God spoke to me again and said; your retina is attached. I still had it hard though. I wanted to go back to work and support my family. I wanted things different in my life, I believed God could heal me; I knew the power of God; but still I had to go on and allow God to work in my heart. Well, about two months later, I heard this preacher talking about being healed in Jesus Name. He was going to hold a camp meeting in Kansas City Mo. I went to this camp meeting and the first night I knew that it was Trinitarian Ministry there. I started pondering about this, God spoke to me and said, Now you are going to learn to appreciate truth. My wife was with me there too, because I sure couldn't drive a car. Well, about five to ten minutes later, I leaned over to her and I said, let's go honey; I can't stay here any longer. So we left and when we got back to our room at the motel, she went out for a bit and I got down on my knee's and began praying and seeking God; and the glory came down, and Praise God! I had Church right there in my room.
We left the next morning and we went back to Peoria, Illinois. I have been through a whole lot, learning to accept God's will. But I am so thankful that He is merciful and great. God has helped me many times and the greatest thing he ever done for me was when He spoke to my heart and showed me that Jesus Name baptism is the way of Salvation; Acts 2;38,Acts4;12; Friend there is none other name under heaven, given among men whereby we must be saved. There is Salvation in the Name of Jesus; there is Healing in the name of Jesus, and there is Victory in the name of Jesus. And without controversy, great is the mystery of Godliness, God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit,seen of Angels, Preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world , received up into glory.
1Timothy 3;16
This is only a few things God has done for me.
If you will trust His word and obey His word He will bless you! Thanks for reading;
Blessings to you and your's In Jesus Name!.
Bro C Atwood
