There we were in Arkansas with literally our backs to the wall. We are pleading for God to show up and do whatever He chooses to do. While in our prayer time, one of the little Jr. High guys taps me on the shoulder and he is weeping. He says, Lynn, everybody is crying outside come see. We jump up and go out side. Some are sitting weeping , some are praying together. In John 16:8 , Jesus talking about the Holy Spirit says," And He, when He comes ,will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment;" We were observing the work of the Holy Spirit among our group that evening. Because of the conviction of the Holy Spirit, young people and sponsors were getting right with God and joy filled the camp. I think we finally settle into beds after midnight that night. That was Monday of the camp. More was about to happen.
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I have been sharing about various moves of God in our ministry. One of the most outstanding moves of God happen at one of the many summer camps we went to and the very first one I took a group of young people. In was in the Summer of '72 at a camp near Hot Springs,Arkansas. Can't even remember the name of the place. When we got there we were so disappointed in what we saw. Really rustic and kind of rundown. They places us in a cabin in the far back corner of the property. We went to dinner and then to the worship time. The worship time was terrible and I thought this is going to be a long, long week. Well, a friend showed up and after the service we went to our cabin. We got down on our knees and began to pray and I do mean to pray. It was fervent prayer. We began to ask God to do something. And He did. Will share more tomorrow.
I mentioned that God was going to send us through the fire and He did. When the pastor returned from his speaking engagement he was taken over by a spirit of jealousy that can only be compared to Saul and David. Every Monday, he would have me in his office and he would rake me over the coals. He accused me of everything you can think of. The Lord gave me a word before going into his Inquisition chamber. That word was,speaking of Jesus," He said not a word." So I would sit there and take the abuse he dished out. Afterwards, I would go in my office and get on my face and cry out to the Lord for help. In the mean time, things began to happen in the youth ministry. Three young men came in one day and said they were new believers and wanted to know if I could teach them more about the Christian life. So we set up Tuesday evening at the house. I was green but they were greener. This began my life in discipleship. We learned a lot together and truly grew in the Lord.
Here we were in this urban church. it wasn't a big church but a nice size one. One day the pastor asked me to preach on a Sunday night. I think we had been there for maybe a month. I was excited to do so. I began to prepare and pray. I prepared a message on "Revival". Not really knowing what it was but desiring to know and to see it. That night before the service we had a prayer meeting and then the service. I cannot recall how many people were there but a significant number. This was still a time when we had Sunday night services. I preached and offer an invitation. The Lord began to move. One young person ask to speak and I let her come to the microphone and she shared from her heart. The Spirit used that sweet testimony to begin to touch peoples hearts. People came repenting, some more shared openly. Before the evening was over, we had seven saved, many revived, a whole family restored. It was a glorious night in the Lord. To God be the glory! I think we finally got home that night about 10 pm.
Now, we had the choice of whether to go and be a pastor of a little ,rural church in Louisiana or an associate pastor of a church in an urban setting. We visited both and finally came to the decision that the urban church was the place God wanted us. we did not know that He was going to send us through the fire when we got there but that was the case. I was associate pastor of Education and Youth. There was a youth event going on in a neighboring church. It was well-known so I invited the youth to go. That evening seven people went, four adults and three youth. I was devastated because of the lack of interest. I called Sandra, who was finishing up her teaching assignment and she said ,"Well, there is only one way to go- UP!" This began a journey of prayer and faith."
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What we Learned on Sunday? Insights, ideas and InspirationWritten by Pastor Chris Hudson Archives
March 2024
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