Written: 6-27-2007
Dear Brother
Shockley,
I can not
believe it has been over a year since my husband
Howard and I visited with you there at church.
As we told your church family it was such an
honor to be able to be there again after so many
years.
We were
stationed in Key West in 1976 through 1977.
That's 30 years ago. We have not been back
there since. One of the things we wanted to do
was go to White Street Church of God.
Something
happen there back in 1976 that radically changed
our lives. I had been saved around two years
and Howard about one. We had belonged to a very
sweet Baptist church in the Birmingham, AL
area. They had loved us and brought to me the
truth of salvation. And through that I led
Howard to the Lord.
I first went to
White Street COG on a Sunday night with another
Army wife. She was Lutheran and scared to
death! I did not understand everything but
liked what I "felt".
The pastor, I
do not remember his name, had finished preaching
and asked for a 'prayer line' for 'any' need. I
did not know what or why but I knew for 'sure'
the Holy Spirit was drawing me to get in the
'prayer line'.
When it was my
time for prayer the pastor asked if I was saved
and I said yes. Then he asked if I "had the
Holy Ghost". I was not familiar with saying it
that way. I knew the Holy Spirit lived in me
since salvation, but the way he said it was
different. I said I was not sure what he
meant."
At this point
the spoke rather 'loudly' to the church that I
needed the Holy Ghost! They all laid hands on
me and prayed for me. I did not remember what
all happen to me. They said I received the Holy
Ghost and spoke in tongues. I was unsure. I
asked the lady with me if I spoke in tongues and
she said he did not know there was so much going
on up there.
That next week
I searched the Scriptures and asked God if this
was real to let me "hear myself speak in
tongues". Nothing happen during this week.
That Sunday morning I went back to White COG
along with my husband and three children. They
had prayer at the altar prior to the service. I
went to the altar and was quietly praying asking
God to "let me hear myself speak in tongues if
this was real".
I remember
hearing the pastor say, "This young girl
received the Holy Ghost last Sunday night, but I
do not feel she is satisfied. If anyone feels
led to, pray for her." I didn't know who at the
time but found out later that a young man, about
19 years old, just lightly touched me on the
forehead and I began speaking in tongues.
I mean I spoke
in a full language. It was just rolling up out
of my belly. I remember thinking, "I hear
myself, I hear myself!!" I did not hear
anything or anyone else, only myself speaking in
tongues. I could not stop speaking in
tongues.
I did not
realize but my husband told me later, I
continued to kneel there speaking in tongues for
around 45 minutes. They had the whole service;
singing, offering, preaching, altar service and
I did not hear any of it.
After the altar
service the pastor came over to me and touched
me and helped me up. He asked me if I wanted to
testify about what had happen to me that
morning. I tried but only spoke in tongues.
They all praised God and rejoiced.
I went home
speaking in tongues in the car. Later that day
I finally "quieted down". God answered my
prayer and "let me hear myself" in such a way I
would never doubt the reality of the Baptism of
the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Speaking in
Tongues.
We were only
stationed in Key West for one year.
We completed 2o years in the Army and retired
back in the Birmingham, AL. area. I have
taught classes throughout those years in
churches. However, in 1997 the Lord "called me
to preach". I did not accept this 'call' until
2001. I now am an Ordained Minister in the
Church of God. I am presently the Associate
Pastor at Mt Olive Road Church of God in Mt
Olive, Al.
White Street
Church of God will ALWAYS be a special place in
my heart. I pray for the ministry there. A
lot had changed since we were there and it is
truly a mission field.
May God Bless,
Sandy
Leslie
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