Bruce Gathercole

On Sunday 23rd April 1978, I woke up with no particular plans for the day, which was very unusual as I always kept myself busy. I found myself sitting in front of the TV watching a religious program., where they were talking about a wise man building his house on rock and a foolish man building his house on sand.

My brother, a member of RCI, observed me watching the TV, and asked me if I would like to come to a Revival Centre meeting with him. My affirmative reply amazed both of us, because I had previously vowed not to attend another Revival Centre meeting.

I had attended several different Pentecostal meetings with my brother, and the last one had been to the Revival Centres at the Rialto Theatre in Kew, where I was told very clearly where I stood with God, and I what I had to do to be saved; however, I rejected the opportunity offered because I believed that I was alright and vowed never to return to this Church again.

I remember vividly sitting in the meeting, and hearing the same principle being preached from Matthew 7:24, that a wise man builds his house upon a rock, with a clear emphasis on "whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them ." is wise. I had hearing ears that day but the question in my mind, was 'what do you need to do to be wise?'

The next scripture was from Acts chapter 2 the Day of Pentecost and in particular verse 37, where the people asked, 'what shall we do?' I was amazed at what I was hearing, this preacher seemed to be talking directly to me. When the call for anybody wanting to be baptised was announced, I found my hand in the air and I remember my thought at the time, because it was so foreign to me, 'I don't know what is going on but I am not going to question it, I am going with it'. I was baptised by immersion in water, and received the Holy Spirit that day with the evidence of speaking in tongues and I instantly knew God was alive in me.

On the way home that evening, my brother kept repeating the words, 'I can't believe you did that', because he was thinking about how I had completely been turned around.

The most treasured miracle that I have experienced is receiving the great power of the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, because He renews my mind daily to prove the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.

I no longer need to think about my past because it is history, and I know the future is a mystery and that it will take care of itself. So I focus on today for it is a gift during which we can enjoy the good things (blessings) of God, by simply worshipping, thanking and praising Him in every thing that we do, while remaining steadfast and unmovable in the work of the Lord.

We know that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." (Psalms 127:1.)

 Kay Barker

I grew up in country Victoria and was taken by my parents to the Anglican Church into which, at age 13, I was confirmed. I was expecting something to happen to me, but when the Bishop laid his hands upon me I felt nothing and was gravely disappointed. For the next several years I tried to think of ways to be closer to God.

It wasn't until I was 20 that God revealed himself to me through friends of my parents who told me I could receive the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I was thrilled to hear the truth and shortly after this, asked to be prayed for to receive the Holy Spirit. I spoke out in a new language that I had never learnt and have continued to do so ever since. When I received the Holy Spirit I had a broken leg, which the Lord healed, and I was then baptized by full immersion in water.

Since that time I have come to know the Lord more and more by reading, praying and attending church. I married a spirit filled man and we have raised our two daughters in the church; they too have received the Holy Spirit and are walking with the Lord.

My life has been full of challenges and with the Lord to guide me I have been victorious in all situations, whether big or small.

Most recently I have much to thank the Lord for. Last year my father was diagnosed with an aggressive skin cancer; also I discovered on my face a large mole with a large warty growth on top of it. I was praying for my father, reading the Bible and really focusing on the Lord alone. Also at this time, I thanked the Lord and asked Him to make the growth on my face go away. Within a few weeks the mole and growth had completely disappeared.

I am so thrilled to be one of Gods children.

 Vin Fothergill

I praise God for calling me out of a life of ignorance and fear many years ago. Even though I was brought up to believe in God and His salvation plan through Jesus Christ, I certainly did not know or experience God until He gave me a taste of His power.

I thank God for leading me to a R.C.I meeting where the true Gospel is preached. I gladly repented of my ways and was baptised by full immersion according to the Bible pattern and received the promise of the Holy Spirit with the Bible evidence of speaking in other tongues. It was a great relief to know that I had finally found the truth after years of searching and being confused with having so many religions about.

God has healed me from hay fever, viral meningitis, severe kidney pains and many other conditions I may have had, just as He has promised in His Word.

God has met all my needs over these years in which I have experienced His power; I know that He will continue to do so as I keep looking to Jesus - the author and finisher of my faith. I look forward to His returning with joy.