Rev. & Mrs. E. Anderson
AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE
Whilst overseeing the Assemblies of God Church in Chesterfield I was given the privilege of presiding over the church leaders and we met to see where we could engage in fellowship together. It was in the year 1982 that we decided on a joint venture and that we meet in our church to hold a great together. The united desire was that we invite David Pawson to be our special speaker, sensing he would bring over the two nights some prophetic inspiration and teaching. We were not to be disappointed. On the first night he taught a new song which gather great momentum and resulted in us doing a Jericho march much to the delight of the saints.
He stayed with us in our home and my wife and I were greatly impressed with his manner of behaviour and his words. After the supper he would beg leave of us not that he didn’t want our company but that he had developed the habit of spending time with Lord. He said he liked to review the day and to note whether he had fulfilled divine expectations.
David was invited to go to Cliff College on one of the morning to give two lectures to the students. It was my privilege to be his chauffeur and this meant I would have the opportunity of listening to his ministry to these prospective messengers of Christ.
However, the Lord had a wonderful surprise and experience for me on that day. When we arrived at Cliff we were ushered into the Principal’s study, Dr. Skevington Wood, a fine minister of Christ and preacher of the Gospel. We were invited to take a seat and to have a cup of tea before going into the lecture hall.
Then it happened so suddenly to me that it shook me. As I sat down to recline in the chair offered, the magnificent presence and power of the Lord flowed into my being and I felt rather overwhelmed. I did not dare say anything to anyone but just bathed in the immediate blessing that was bestowed. As I sat there, I wondered what it was all about, questions entering my mind.
We went to the lecture hall where David certainly inspired and blessed the students in his unique manner. All present were enriched by what he had to say. As soon as he had given his lecture we returned to the Principal’s study for refreshment. I sat again in the former chair that I had been seated in and the experience was repeated that I had before. Immediately I knew that this was no coincidence and that something of importance was to be noted by me in it.
Suddenly I became sensitive to the fact that the place where we were situated could possibly have been the study of Samuel Chadwick a former great preacher, saint in Methodism and one that had held the position of principal. I felt prompted to ask Dr. Skevington Wood whether this was and he replied in the affirmation. In a flash I sensed that I was in a room that had been saturated with prayer and this godly man. I was receiving something spiritual from his former supplications. Having read some of his books and life story I have been tremendously quickened in God.
On one memorable occasion I visited his grave in Calver, near Chesterfield, I stood there and prayed that something of the inspiration and blessing that would be my portion. I truly believed that God answered prayer and that the legacy of his life and anointing to some degree has been my lot.
As we walk with the Lord, we never know when the He has some unique and unexpected experience for us to enter into.