ERNIE
Ernie was saved at the age of twelve years old and knew he was called to preach when he was sixteen. He carried his Bible to school and preached everywhere he had the opportunity. But after spending eight years in liberal seminaries, Ernie felt he had nothing to give to his congregation. A couple in the new congregation shared with him about the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. He began to search the word and realized it was in the Bible; it was for today, and it was for him. After powerfully receiving the infilling of the Spirit, he began to preach the full Gospel message in the mainline denominational churches. During a time of great revival in one of our churches, little boys from the neighborhood ran into the back of the church asking the ushers if they should call the fire department, because they were seeing FIRE on the roof of the church! That was a defining experience for us and has set the theme for our lives and ministries...."SPREAD THE FIRE!"
LINDA
Supernatural phenomenom has been a part of our spiritual walk since the beginning. Linda really didn't want to be affiliated with "Charismatics;" or "Pentecostals." she had been taught that the Acts 2 experience was not for today. One night she reluctantly attended a Kathryn Kuhlman meeting. During her preaching Ms Kuhlman stopped for a moment and said, "the cloud of the Spirit is here tonight." That piqued Linda's attention. Afterall, if it were true, she wanted to see it. What a shock when she saw it hanging above the heads of the people just across the auditorium. As she watched it began to move in her direction. When it reached her seat, the power of God literally threw her out of her chair and she lay sprawled half in and half out of her seat. The Holy Spirit had her full attention. She realized that God still moved in a supernatural way and she began to desire all that God had for her.
OUR CALL
For 40 years we pastored churches, the last 12 years in Assemblies of God Churches. After Ernie finished his DMIN from ORU, he began to feel a call to teach. He applied to several Bible colleges to no avail. One day he prayed, "Lord, why do I feel this call, if you're not going to open the door?" The Lord replied, "Are you only willing to do it here?" Ernie's response was, "No, Lord, wherever you send me." It was then we applied to the AG Missions Division and God used Isa. 42:12 to call us to the Bahamas. "Give glory and praise to the Lord in the islands."NIV We have finished our first term having established a Bible college on the island of Abaco with 65 students in regular attendance. Other islands began to call and asked if they could get Bible College training on their islands, thus, we have now been appointed to direct Bible College training for the Family Islands of the Bahamas.
After 8 years of training young men and women of the islands for ministry, we are so blessed to see them take their places in the ministry and leadership in the Bahamas.
In 2008 we were called to Zion Bible College as missionaries in Residence where we now train young men and women for the mission field. What an honor to be a part of the preparation and mentoring process for the next generation of missionaries. One young couple who finished their training this year are preparing to go into unreached areas of the MiddleEast. We have students going all over the world to preach the Gospel. Our ministry has been multiplied over and over through our present situation as missionaries. We praise God for all He is doing. The Church is in good hands as these young people go forth.
