THEN, I HAD A VISION . . .


by Marvin Weatherspoon
                       

In this column we illustrate experiences in which the Lord uses man to catch "fish" for the kingdom of God.  "Matthew 4:19  And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. ".

After coming from a neighbor's house; I spotted an unfamiliar face walking down the street where I live.  I felt impressed to invite him to church.  So I hasted my steps to catch up with him, greeted him and invited him to church.

He said that he normally didn't take his stroll at that time of day and that he was asking the Lord how he was going to get to church.  He was unable to travel in a vehicle due to an injury. 

Before we parted he assured me that he would come. Before entering my house I turned back once more to see him lifting his head toward heaven to thank the Lord for giving him a church to worship in.

Now he is a regular member at our assembly, and he still rejoices because of that day, and that there is a church in his neighborhood.  "Q"

       The Church in your Neighborhood

When I came to the Apostolic Church in August of 1977, I just came to visit. I came on church anniversaries in 78,and 79 too. I had no idea that my wife and the church were praying for me until the pastor mentioned it. This church was not like I was used to; I had come out to the Methodist church, my wife out of Church of God in Christ, and started going to Irvington, which I had visited in 1975.

I could tell her experience was different; it changed her lifestyle---but not mine. I was noticing how people worshipped and served the Lord, but I thought it didn't take all that---and it frightened me! I was too involved in my work as a professional truck driver. I was too busy, Monday through Saturday working; 2 ½ days off; then back on the road.

In 1980 there was cause for transition in my life. I was taking pills during truck trips to stay awake; I was doing marijuana.  I was uptight, uneasy, but I didn't think that my life was really unhappy because I was making good money and had a new house. But I had no peace. When I decided to attend Wednesday Bible Study in 1982, I was going to give my life to the Lord. I had a meeting with the pastor that night and told him I wanted a change; I wanted the power of God in my life.  At the altar call, I lifted up my hands, repented of my sins, but I didn't get the Holy Ghost then. I believed that God could change you, so I started attending services. In May 1983 I finally got baptized in the name of Jesus.  When I came out of the water, I felt like I was washed entirely clean! I raised my hands and praised God, He took over my tongue! My soul was completely satisfied! I had the joy of the Lord!

As I continued to attend church, the Lord started dealing with me about being a driver for Bus Ministry. I had a dream. God was saying, "You need to drive the church bus, I didn't save you to sit down. There is work in my kingdom for you to do." I didn't want to drive; I do this every day as a professional driver. I was pretty stubborn about it. Bus Ministry staff kept telling me that they needed me to drive the bus.