Barnabas Ministries UK

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

THE ART OF MEDITATION

One of the things that God seeks to do in those who trust Him is to teach them the art of meditation. This means to know the advantages of serious, contemplative thought, using the mind a positive musing manner so that beneficial faith and understanding will be birthed and developed to immense profit.

This is not an easy factor for any individual to accept and adopt because of the nature of man. It seems he is born on a fast track and that everything should be speeded up and hastily performed. But this is not the way of God and so the need to be taught his ways and become familiar with His ideas, attitudes and workings. Divine meditation is one of the great secrets of dynamic and successful living.

Throughout my spiritual life and career one has sensed that this is what the Lord has been seeking to advance in Me. Whilst there has been a measure of success on this front there is still some way to go. However, what has already been achieved has served some purpose.

Last year, a friend of mine and a ministerial colleague was diagnosed as having prostate cancer. He had a rather tough and rough time but thankfully has come through the pressure and ordeal.

Mid 2007 I had to go and see my physician over the problem of gout. Seeing I was almost 75 I inquired about this matter of prostate cancer. Kindly he examined me there and then and came to the opinion there could be a difficulty there and said I required further tests. In going to seeing a specialist in these things, he came to the same opinion and so felt I needed to have a scan. I submitted to a physiological examination by a machine and it revealed that there were tokens of cancer in my prostate and that it was revealing itself in my pelvis.

The doctor assured that I did not require chemotherapy but must take tablets that would deal with it in a positive manner. They would prevent the bad testrones from getting through and feeding the cancer. Thankfully they had immediate effect and the blood count drop from 19 to 2-3. It was the kind of thing they sensed would happen.

But it was then put before me that I must have a bone scan to make sure that there was no cancerous factors there. Little did I realise what this involved until I arrived to have this crucial examination. It meant being placed in a very enclosed situation and where this machine would pass over my entire body. Many folk must find this rather intimidating and claustrophobic. The nurse stated to me that if I found the experience too daunting to press the bell she had given me and they would respond immediately. Certainly it presented a challenge to me. Whilst in preparation for the rather new and threatening situation the Lord reminded me of the art of mediation.

Now was the time to switch off to what was happening naturally and to be dynamically switched on to Him spiritually. I received the immediate inspiration and knowledge and began to put it into effect. The half hour simply slipped by as my mind was given over to God and to pondering on His Word and the immutable promises that the Scriptures contained. I feasted on His truth and such assurances as – ‘The Lord will perfect that which concerneth you’ and ‘He that hath begun a good work in you will perform it . . . .’ – Psalm 138: 8; Philippians 1: 6 filtered through and I was blessed and bathed with and in divine guarantees. It turned out to be a notable spiritual exercise.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

Viewing and studying the lives and works of some of the choice people of the past who have greatly contributed to the cause of God and humanity, it is apparent that they had very humble beginnings. Their start in life was of a lowly order so that they could not boast of some distinctive and important family or circumstance. They were very much non-entities but by the grace and favour of God rose to fulfil a post and service that was most profitable and honourable.

After all, David was only a shepherd boy prior being called, equipped and appointed by God to be Israel’s great king. His brothers did not entertain kind thoughts towards him and never thought that he would rise to such a status. God found him amongst the sheepfolds to become the shepherd and sovereign over His people.

Joan and I could not boast of a great heritage of the past although we had good parents that we respected a great deal. She was from farming stock and I from a mining community in South Yorkshire, England. We both had a common and ordinary education, never graduating to Grammar School or university. We came to know one another as we worked on the farm and eventually married in humble conditions.

It was in those modest and unassuming conditions that we learned to love and trust God. He became the priority of our lives and we looked to Him to govern, lead and inspire our marriage in a spiritual and positive manner. In those earliest years of married life we looked to Him to develop our characters and abilities so that we could serve Him in the best possible manner.

Our first home was certainly of an unpretentious kind. The farmer that we worked for was kind at the outset of our union together. He had a former cowshed converted into a home for us so that we could move out on this new venture with our own premise. It was not situated in salubrious surroundings but it became a place where our love blossomed and roots were established with God and each other. Looking back on that short period in that lowly residence, it was a venue that lives and lingers in our memories in a precious way. It was where we started out life together with God and became the foundation of much greater and significant things. The place no longer exists having been removed for more up-to-date dwellings but such can never be removed from our minds and testimony.

From there we had to move on into the call and purposes of God. We were in that place for fourteen months and then the summons to go and be taught and trained for the ministry. It was not an easy decision to leave that humble circumstance and step out into a new way of life and service. The job and bungalow may have been of an humble order but it meant security and provided a real comfort zone. Joan loved it and made the place special by her capabilities and industry. But such had to be vacated to make room for something that God wanted of a greater order.

Fifty four years have speedily hastened by and the Lord has wrought some choice things within our service and ministries. Having been in charge of six churches and also resident in a Bible College teaching and working with students, visiting various countries and raising finances for missions, involved in various forms of other Christian leadership etc., one is amazed at the goodness and ability of God to take hold of two ordinary people and bless in such a beautiful manner. He has honoured and blessed us beyond measure and lifted us into fruitful service.

Never did we think in our earliest years, in those humble circumstances that the good Lord would so lift us into a life and lifestyle beyond our wildest dreams. Now we are in our mid-seventies and the Lord has not finished with us yet or terminated our services. He has not served notice on us but still wills to anoint and use us within His kingdom both at home and abroad. The latter years has found us fulfilling things beyond our wildest expectations but we never can forget where we have come from and we are most grateful to God for His major input into our lives on a regular basis.

Know, the humble beginnings must not be despised but appreciated. God does not intend we should stay there but they are a good starting and learning point. It is there that God reveals that he has great destiny to fulfil and as we maintain a spiritual humility all will come to pass.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

ON TO A NEW LEVEL OF TRUST

When we first entered into the Christian ministry, the two churches that we first assumed leadership were unable to fully support us financially. They were not large congregations and so the amount of monies in the offerings was not enough to provide an adequate income on which to exist.

Thankfully, at Lincoln, early in 1958 I was able to pass my driving test after only six lessons at a driving school. My brother kindly provided the finance for these and it did make it possible for me to have a part time job for a fruiterer delivering orders in a van through the city. They eventually purchased a lorry and I was required to load it up at the docks with various fruits etc. . The extra finance did help us to get essential things for our home.

Moving to the next fellowship, whilst it was numerically stronger, it did not have the monies to give a big wage and so there was a need for further income. At that time, providentially, a driver was required by Louth Education to bring in to a centre, children who were gravely affected mentally, to give respite to the parents and to help them.  They also had to be taken home in the afternoon. I applied for this job and got it and it served a two-fold purpose. I was able to learn and get along with this needy part of society and it supplied additional funds for our existence. They were lovely children and I formed a good association with them.

But the Lord began to bless the church and numbers and finances increased. The Lord favoured us and so we rejoiced to see the hand of God upon us in bringing new folks to the church and witnessing their spiritual birth and noting the increase in the weekly offerings.

Then the challenge came. Whilst attending a General Conference of Assemblies of God I heard a preacher say how he was seeking to help God out in his own personal circumstances by selling ties. He felt rebuked and the need to trust God completely with all his finances. This spoke to my heart and I sensed that God wanted me on a new level of trust in this area. It was now time to move up another gear of faith and believe the Lord so that I would no need to supplement the income from the church.

In returning and sharing my thoughts and conviction with the local oversight, the brethren were right behind me. We trusted God and so I gave up the job and went full time and never looked back. The Lord abundantly met the financial requirement and the numbers grew and so did the income.

During our ministerial stay in Louth in the early 1960s, a beautiful Salvation Army Officer from the Corps came to visit me. He came with spiritual burden and desire. Having heard of the blessing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking with new tongues, he was anxious about knowing more. I spoke with him, sharing my testimony and the Scripture concerning the same. Then I told him to go away and think, pray and consider the issue further and if he felt this was what he needed, to come back and I would pray with him

Fred had an unquenchable thirst and spiritual desire. It was not long before he was back and so I arranged a day and time when we would meet in our church building and pray together. A pastor from Grimsby, Rev. Robert Kay, a good man of God was to join us as we prayed and laid hands on him. We met and sought the Lord for over an hour and the time had almost reached mid day. Robert suddenly cried out: ‘Fill him by 12 o’clock, Lord’, and within the next few moments Fred was rejoicing in his Holy Spirit baptism. His wife, within the next week or so received as she was putting the children to bed.

It presented a problem at that time as this was not an acceptable belief and practice amongst the Salvationists and so Fred and Sheila Smeeton graciously resigned and were called to trust God with their future with a Pentecostal ministry. They accepted the pastorate at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, close by, but the work was small and could not support fully financially. Our church in Louth rose to the occasion and kindly gave assistance in the early part of their ministry there.

What a fantastic spiritual relationship we had going at that time and we were bonded together with divine love! There was more than me now on a greater level of trust! For over 40 years one has had the privilege of witnessing this lovely couple blessed along with their family fulfilling a Pentecostal ministry. Their faith and ministry grew and led them into an effectual role of service for the Lord.

One has discovered over the years that this is a major procedure with God. He ever wants to expand our confidence so that we trust Him for more and see greater things outworked in our lives and ministries. Do not be afraid when God challenges you to believe Him whatever He calls you to do: do it, and see His amazing goodness and intervention.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

FINANCIAL SUPPLY

One of the things that I have rejoiced in over many years is in the way that God has bountiful worked in relation to my financial requirements. In later life, this has been manifest in many ways especially in my ministry trips abroad with respect to travel and raising monies for various Christian projects.

Well do I recall in two instances when visiting South Africa how the Lord providentially saw to it that this need was met.

The first time I required  nine hundred pounds to cover the whole trip and it was rather unique in the way the amount came in.

As I was situated in the fellowship I attended the missionary treasurer came to me after a service and said that the decision had been made to assist me on this occasion with the sum of £200. I was sincerely grateful for the token that was to be the forerunner of further gifts. The church treasurer also came and stated that the leadership were giving me a gift of £200 to aid in the cost of travel. This was most encouraging and I sensed the Lord would make sure that the rest would also come.

The next source was to come from my oldest son. He, along with his wife, had made up their mind to bless his father-in-law who I was taking on the venture and myself with a monetary contribution. Lo and behold, it was to be another £200. It was quite amazing and amusing that the donations would come in similar amounts.

But the next bestowment came in an unusual manner. Whilst tending my front garden a woman Christian believer was passing by that belonged to the church that I had previously led. I made inquiry as to how she was going on. After her reply I felt the need to invite her in for coffee and a chat with my wife and I. How she appreciated those moments of hospitality! Before leaving I said I would pray for her and her future as she had been bereaved of her husband. Whilst praying I sensed the Lord was going to bless her and then the conviction arose in my heart that she was going to do the same for me.

A couple of days later a letter arrived at our home from this dear sister expressing her gratitude for time spent with her. A cheque was also enclosed for a further £200.

We went and had a tremendous time of ministry and fellowship.  Our final meeting was at the Assemblies of God Conference and I was due to speak before leaving for home. They had kindly provided accommodation for us during those few days and the spiritual accord was simply was great. I mused at the time and thought, what I require is a further £100 to cover the cost of the whole trip. The chairman of the Conference came to say farewell and gave me this amount of monies thus sealing the whole provision.

I was to go again on my own this time a few years later. Staying in the home of a good colleague and friend, on the first morning as I was kneeling by my bedside in prayer just prior to going to a Prayer Breakfast at his church, I sensed from the Lord that in no way would the churches supply my expenses. I replied simply to Him I was on His business. But He assured me the need would be met.

The first Sunday evening as I was in Cape Town preaching in a large church of which a friend of mind was its minister, the Lord blessed in a beautiful manner. It was good to see people saved, healed and blessed. In his office afterwards he said that they had an American brother attending the fellowship and he believed God wanted him to bless me financially and he waved this envelope before my gaze. On leaving the office it was given and he said it contained 3,000$ equivalent to over £1,700 at that time.

We were due to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary in a few months time and so my wife and I were able to make a trip and holiday to Israel, a place where she had always wanted to go. We are sure of the words of Paul: “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4: 19

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

THE BLESSING OF A GIFT

It was in the early 1980’s that the United Kingdom was hit with the Miners Strike that was to result in a great deal of conflict, grief and the closing of many mines. Margaret Thatcher was taking a very firm stand against this working community which was headed by a fiery leader known as Arthur Scargill.

We were located closely in the area at the time, leading a church in Chesterfield. Our eldest son, Philip was much involved with the situation as he was a policeman in the South Yorkshire Constabulary. A lot of fierce talk and strife was in existence, but in the main, the miners were a good company of people who felt they were up against the political leaders who were set on mine closures.

Being out of work over a considerable period of time meant that many families did not find it easy to exist and were dependent on the kindness and generosity of other people who were sympathetic to their cause. They felt the strain of day to day to living and every pound was of value to them.

Because the mines were closed as a result of the strike, it also meant that other men who worked at the pits doing essential work like the electricians, joiners etc., were without employment and finance.

In our church at Chesterfield we had a woman come to us who was a choice Christian. Her name was Sandra Creswell. She loved the Lord and was very committed in serving him and faithfully attended the services. Sandra had a warm, glowing disposition and was not afraid to share her Christian faith and testimony with others. In conversation with her, she loved to talk about Christ and the things of God.

Being a Christian minister, it was my practice before retirement, to visit the church members in their homes to meet other members of the family. It had been a choice experience over many years to pop in and encounter new people in this way and to establish some healthy and meaningful relationships. I entertained the idea, that if people could come to church and give of their time, energy, gifts and money to Christ and His kingdom, I could also meet and minister to them in their homes. It has been one aspect of Christian ministry that has brought some welcome experiences that have led on to other things.

Well do I recall visiting the home of Sandra during the pit crisis? Her husband, Keith, was a joiner at a pit and at that time was out of work. He was and is a charming man and it was a pleasure to meet and hold meaningful conversations with him on many things. He gave me a kind welcome which I appreciated and I respected the difficulties that this couple had to face at this time. It was not something that they had chosen but they were caught up in the matter through no fault of their own. There was no complaining spirit but a quiet resignation of being; trusting things would speedily draw to a satisfactory conclusion.

Before leaving I felt that I should personally leave a monetary gift to help them a little. It wasn’t much but at least it showed some care in their situation.  Little did I know what that small contribution was to trigger off?

Keith apparently was inwardly and profoundly moved by the kind gesture, that a Christian minister should act so.  He made up his mind that he would attend our Christian fellowship. Any barrier that had been there previously was gone and we were delighted to welcome him. The greatest thing of all, he came to personally own Christ as his Lord Saviour and was baptised in water in confession of faith in Him

It is good to report that he has never looked back and has gone on as a Christian believer and quietly lives out his commitment to Him. From that visit, a close and warm bond was introduced between us that lasts to this day. Keith looks back on that occasion, when the divine change began to take place that led to his Christian conversion. A loving monetary gift started things off! To God be all the glory!

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

CALLED TO BE A PATRIARCH

Being in the Christian ministry for over 50 years I thought that there were five main-fold ministries as expressed in Ephesians 4. This is what I had taught throughout my ministerial career and rejoiced that I had been able to play some role within the Church of Christ for a significant period.

It was whilst I was in South Africa just a few years ago that the Lord challenged my thinking and changed my considerations especially with regard to later life and calling.

Throughout my life I had been greatly challenged by the adventurous life of Abraham the Old Testament saint. It inspired me to think that God could and did lay hold of a man at 75 and commenced a powerful work in and through him. Although late in life, he became an outstanding individual who knew the favour of God on many fronts. In particular, he was not a father at that time but God assured him would become a father of nations. He is recognized in both the Jewish and Arab world as being their patriarchal father.

The spiritual revelation came home with some force to my spirit that the greatest calling in life was not to be an apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher or evangelist good and essential as these vocations are in the Christian Church, but the noblest was to be a spiritual father and patriarch. These are quality men with longstanding experience of God, life and many other things. Paul made the point to one church that they hadn’t got many ‘spiritual fathers’ – Corinthians.

It came through to my mind and heart that the greatest of all was God the Father and Christ paid deference to His Fatherhood. He is the ageless One and the Supreme Patriarch of all. Surely the finest calling of all was to attain this stage and to be able to exercise a role and ministry in this connection. Patriarchs do not retire but have a definite, worthwhile task to perform for God. He, above all, would honour the same and fulfill a service through them. It is one of the things that the Christian Church somehow fails to recognize and employ.

One of the choicest and memorable moments of my life was when in South Africa at a ministers’ conference. It happened as I was about to leave after ministering God’s Word. The chairman sensed it would be good for the brethren to pray over us before returning to the UK.

Inwardly I desired that he would ask Brother Bond the retired and senior leader and pastor amongst them to pray over me. How I valued and appreciated that man’s inspired prayer! I knew it would be answered and it has over the following years. Knowing his favour with God assured me that his prayer would find fulfillment.

In my early seventies I received the conviction that I was now in the patriarchal period of my life and that by faith I had something to convey to this generation. It was to be a new phase that would be owned by God if I was prepared to receive and enter into it. I shared with a very successful pastor in South Africa, in whose home I was staying this fact,  and he was delighted with it and called his wife and three big sons together to allow me to pray and lay hands on them all for God’s blessing. What a pleasure it has been to see God’s grace and abundant goodness being poured out upon them and the assembly he leads. They have just moved on in God.

I now live with and in this conviction that I possess the divine right to place God’s benediction upon His people. There is the special and unique prerogative to represent all my family to God and to command His favour upon them. Within the Christian community one is able to render a positive ministry and see God’s family blessed through spiritual fatherhood. God the Father through the spiritual fathers He has created and established would further His Fatherhood and make evident His incredible kindness and goodness.

No Christian minister should be redundant when reaching late life because there is this new calling and dimension to be embraced and a service that is utterly invaluable to others.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

MATTERSEY BIBLE COLLEGE

Quite a lot of people in the UK have become familiar with the place called, Mattersey Bible College, because over the past years many students from many parts of the world have come to study and be taught there and have advanced in their Biblical Studies and spiritual education. It has become a seat of learning and a large number of people have obtained their degrees and profited enormously from its tuition. It has become a place of renown amongst Pentecostal groups. The College is owned by Assemblies of God and its purpose is to prepare and train people with the call of God upon their lives for the ministry.

The place ‘Mattersey’ was not so well know amongst Pentecostal Christians. The denomination’s Bible College was once situated in Kenley, Surrey and I had the privilege of being a student there from 1955-57 and benefited greatly from my tutors and teaching. But it was in the early 1970’s that the property was sold and so search and inquiry was made for a new location. I never thought that I would be somehow slightly connected in this.

However, David Powell, who was the minister of the Rotherham Pentecostal Church, phoned and asked if I would go and view a former private school situated at Mattersey with the purpose of recommending it to the Board of Governors of the Assemblies of God Bible College. My wife and I joined him and together we looked around the premises and thought them ideal for Bible College purposes. Mrs. Sourbutt was the owner and accorded the opportunity of viewing them. The upshot of it was the Board proceeded and purchased them for a new beginning in the student tuition.

Little did I realize at the time that I would be closely associated with it in a personal way, along with my wife, Joan.

The College was in need of a new principal, and at the next General Conference, David Powell was elected to the astonishment of quite a few people. Joan and I gladly assisted when the move took place, helping primarily in the gardens to make them something presentable for the opening. At that time we were overseeing the large assembly at Doncaster but found some moments to assist in this connection. When the opening took place Joan took charge of the catering to relieve the situation.

David asked me to assist in lecturing by taking the Minor Prophets, a course that I enjoyed doing. So over the course of the months I frequented the place with ministry to the students. Prior to this, the Lord had placed a burden on my heart that this is where He wanted me to serve and I endeavoured to dispose of it, but it would not leave.

Six months later, after lecturing on the subject of the Prophets, I was conversing with the principal and he mentioned that the dean was leaving the College. It took me by surprise at the time but then I simply mentioned to him what had been taking place in my heart. We prayed and left the matter in the Lord’s hands.

Within two weeks we were approached by him with the backing of the Board of Governors to take up residence and be responsible for many things within the College activities. Joan assumed the duties of matron, looking after the material needs of the students and catering for their physical needs, and I the spiritual factors.

It was a challenging and demanding period of our lives. One can state it was not an easy phase of our ministry but a necessary one in the developing of one’s gifts, character, and relationships and so on. Working with a principal with a complex character and with a variety of students from various parts of the world was rather difficult proposition but it created and cultivated something in us that has been invaluable. We laboured very hard there (possibly the hardest stage of our lives) but it was worth it because of what it produced in us. We never gained any earthy honours or degrees but sense we passed some enormous spiritual tests that made into better people capable of doing much more for the Lord in terms of leadership. The Bible College became an immense training ground for us and many lessons were duly learned.

We left this area of ministry and service how we had commenced, in the will of God, having gained invaluable experience for even greater things.

In seeing how the Lord has blessed and prospered it and is still doing so in the present, we are most grateful and glad that we had some small part to play in its foundation. Having done what was required of us, we were able to move and achieve other things for God in other fields of service and ministry. Others have taken over and are leading the work on to greater things, and that is how it should be.

In the final analysis and judgment, we are workers together with Christ, building His kingdom in the sphere He wants us to be in at various stages of life. We have to learn to do all we can whilst and where we can and then move at the Lord’s direction.

Rev. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

DEALING WITH DEPRESSION

This is one of the acute factors that our modern society faces. Many people appear to suffer from this dreaded condition of mind and spirit and remedies are sought to provide a satisfactory solution. Even good and positive people are attacked with it and have great difficulty in overcoming the evil. It certainly takes the joy out of living and relationships.

During the early time I was in the Bible College in the 1970s I came across the passage in Lamentations that rather surprised and challenged me. It definitely is a book of conflict and sorrow and reveals the depths of despair that the prophet Jeremiah experienced. This choice, faithful servant of God was evidently subjected to this awful evil and he shares his experience in quite detail. Whilst reading chapter 3 I gave some thought and study to it and prepared an address on it little realising the impact it would make on me and others.

Before we come to the memorable words of ‘Great is Your faithfulness’ in v23 there is quite an introduction of difficulty and melancholy and gloominess expressed in vv1-19. These verses appear to contain some of the most miserable and despondent statements uttered by a man of God. But the latter part takes on importance because of them. The prophet had dealt with a very dark period and experience of life but came through on top. He came through untold negative conditions to enjoy a place of spiritual and mental conquest.

In examining the first part it would seem as if this man felt that God was against him and that even his praying was futile. It didn’t matter what spiritual steps he took he was thwarted and the situation deteriorated. But in spite of such he manages to deal with it and emerge triumphant.

I was away speaking in Ripon in Yorkshire one Saturday afternoon and was inspired to speak from this passage on the subject. It was evident that the people listened well and that they were helped to understand a little o the subject. During the break the minister’s son approached me to ask if he could send the recorded message to a minister who was passing through this kind of experience. Gladly I consented to his requested and the tape was duly sent. It was to prove an answer to this man’s need.

Very recently I met this ministerial colleague and he reminded me of this incident of how the Lord used the message to deliver him from this wretched state. His wife was busy ironing and they were listening to the tape and as they heard God’s Word it immediately ministered, relieved and set him from the dark state he was in. He recognised the Lord’s voice and answer and believed and was set free. It became a memorable moment in his career and from day moved on to succeed in fulfilling a ministry career for God.

Little did I realise that this would serve again in another way to bring a solution to someone else who was to traverse this pathway.

One of our students was afflicted with this condition and was taken to a near by hospital to receive medical help and treatment. He was a beautifully disposed married man with every thing to live for, yet this thing hit him most powerfully. The attack left him in a very vulnerable state of mind and he found it difficult to cope.

Two of the students had been to visit him and they came to me to tell me how low in spirit he was and that how they had tried to minister and to bring some relief. They felt helpless as they did their utmost. They kindly asked if I would go and see an seek to bring an answer into this forlorn condition of being. I consented to go in the evening, which was Friday. On arrival at the hospital ward and seeing him in bed it was obvious he was in a desperate situation. I think I sat on the bed for at least half-an-hour speaking into his being and sensed I was assisted by the Lord. The students were encouraging and said to me they felt it was the best they had seen him. Before leaving I assured I would be in again on the Monday on my return from being away for the week-end on ministry.

Returning home on the Sunday evening I received a telephone message from him saying he was down to zero. He was as low as could be. The situation was pressing and urgent. I immediately contacted his wife and she informed me she would be at the hospital the next day with her father who was a church elder. I also assured him I would be there to see him the next morning.

It was whilst travelling to the hospital that the Lord reminded me of this passage from Lamentations and that I had to immediately minister it to him. On arrival at his bedside one could see there was a need for a spiritual miracle. The Lord aided me in communicating this word and then I prayed and sensed that he must sign himself out and trust the Lord. I did not mention this to him at that moment but believed this was the course of action to be taken.

When I got outside, it was providential that his wife and father-in-law had just arrived and I mentioned my conviction to them. They were of a similar mind and judgment. Travelling back by car to the college, I came to a certain spot in the road and the Holy Spirit assured me that he would sign himself out of hospital that day, and he did.

In arriving at the Bible College, the Lord challenged me to take him into flat that night and share the same bedroom. I was to believe that God would more than answer the situation. Well do I remember saying to the Lord that night in prayer: ‘Lord, I am sure you have undertaken therefore I will not need to get up in the night season.’ It was an undisturbed night and the student immediately recovered. To God be all the glory!

It is assuring to know that when we pass through these deep waters of darkness and depression that the Lord not only cares, He can bring the need cure. One verse of Scripture has been a blessing to me and it is this: ‘Call upon Me in the day of trouble: and I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me’ – Psalm 50: 15. And He will and you will be able to say: ‘Great is your faithfulness’.

 Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

A FULFILLED PROPHETIC WORD

In my recent ministry trip to India I was pleasantly surprised when a couple from the city of Coimbatore desired to see me. The local leader and pastor had arranged for them to come to his home for the occasion. On my last visit just over twelve months ago I was asked to go and meet and minister in the home of a woman who was pregnant and it appeared there were complications and so the request for prayer and ministry.

When we arrived at her rather large and beautiful home quite a crowd of people had congregated to fellowship, worship, hear the word of God. It was expected that I minister and bring some encouraging message and afterwards a nice buffet had been laid on for the guests.

During the day I had mediated on the pregnant women in the Bible and noted God’s interest and involvement and sensed it was a good to encourage from these Biblical instances. The atmosphere that evening was quite loaded with God’s presence and the service flowed with divine inspiration. One was buoyed along and faith was birthed and released. We concluded by praying in faith and sounded a prophetic word that all was going to be well. The couple believed the word and rested in it and were relieved of fear and anxiety.

The time of the baby’s arrival came and statements were made that were of a negative order but the couple trusted in the Lord. It was mentioned that she would have a protracted period of labour of around five hours. This was enough to set the alarm bells ringing but such was rejected. It was not to be the case and after two hours the infant boy arrived.

They arrived that Saturday morning with little Aaron who the next week will have attained his first birthday. They were very grateful parents and wanted me to see him, to inform of the fulfilment of the prophetic word and to pray over them as a family unit, which was my pleasure. It was refreshing to meet such a wonderful Christian family.

Apparently after listening hear me preach the previous Sunday morning at the large church they attend, it suddenly dawned on the woman that it was the pastor who had come to their home twelve months ago to minister in her critical condition. Somehow she and her husband must get to see me and relate the lovingkindness of the Lord and honour His intervention. It was a joy to celebrate together over all His workings.

Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson

EXTRACTS FROM LIFE  

When you have lived a considerable number of years in relationship with God one gathers a tremendous amount in testimony to God’s grace and goodness in life. One discovers that He does some amazing things with ordinary people and through the course of this page I would share some of the wonderful and interesting experiences He has wrought. And all is to His honour and glory.

AN OPEN DOOR

The Lord in the process of time and experience often has some critical and necessary lessons to teach us. There are things that need to be birthed and developed within us and other factors that require definite amendment and change  because the latter are not healthy and good.

When I commenced courting the girl that that would be my wife in 1951, she was the daughter of a farm foreman. Over the years, since she was a child she had been brought up in the farming world and moved quite a number of times in the course of her father’s occupation.

They lived, when I met her, in a very large farm house and they looked after a couple of lodgers who worked on the farm. It was whilst taking her out and frequenting their home that I developed an inner resentment against these folk that some-what intruded the family life. I often said to her as we chatted about the future together that as far as I was concerned we certainly would not entertain such a practice.

Looking back on what has occurred in our Christian marriage, I am sure that the Lord foreseeing what was ahead must have had a humorous laugh and smile. If only he knew what was in store he would not come out with such protestations! It was not as though I was against hospitality but I considered it going too far! Certainly, as we moved into Christian ministry this would be attended to.

It began to happen in the second church we were in charge of. The Lord gave us a large house to live and we were only three at the time. A reporter who worked for the Louth Standard wanted accommodation. He was not as committed to Christ as he should have been but he approached us about coming to live in our home. We consented and what a blessing Robert turned out to be! Having access to reporting news locally he was able to give true information on our Christian fellowship which helped us enormously.

He brought a young lady to the church and our home. Just as she was about to leave he asked me if I would kindly speak to Marjorie about Christ and becoming a Christian. She pleasantly surprised me on my inquiry by saying that following the previous night’s service she had gone home and without ado knelt by her bedside and gave her heart and life to Christ. It was the first marriage service I conducted with great delight. They eventually came to live with us and Joan and Marjorie were pregnant at the same time! They enjoyed their time together as coming mums.

When they left, another couple came to see if would provide accommodation for them. It was whilst they were with us that another couple were told to leave their residence with the young lady’s parents with their little one. They landed up on our doorstep and we took them in. It was quite a challenge but the Lord proved His favour by seeing that a box of groceries were on our front doorstep the next morning. We never knew who the kind donors were. Within the next few weeks we saw the Lord provide a home and a job for the husband, Stewart.

During our pastorates we have been continually challenged with opening our home to folk in great need. This was in preparation for something bigger. Little did we realise that we would be called to give up our home and take up residence in the Assemblies of God Bible College at Mattersey where the responsibility would be spiritually mine in caring for the student body. Joan would also have the task of catering for their physical needs. It was there the Lord stretched us in every way in the matter of caring.

One of the spin offs is to see our offspring manifesting a similar mind-set and attitude that has blessed them in so many way.

Since retiring, the pay back has been enormous and outstanding. Countless people have opened their homes to my wife and I as we have travelled in various places and how overwhelmingly we have been rewarded by the Lord.

I am writing this having experienced such choice hospitality in the home of a lovely Christian family in Bangalore. Over forty people from the church fellowship met for Sunday dinner in the house and what fellowship and kindness was shown! All appreciated the love that was visibly demonstrated without ado and a servant’s heart. We must never forget as Christians we must ‘be given to hospitality’ - Romans 12: 13.