My Parent's Ministry

 

My parents were in the prophetic ministry for over 30 years. My Father never claimed to be a prophet. He ministered as a traveling evangelist, tent revivalist, as well as pastored three churches. He started his own organization, and ordained dozens of ministers, as well as founded many churches during his lifetime. My parents lived by what they preached and were a Godly example to me. My father was 45 years old when I was born in 1965.

My father was born in 1919 and was raised on a farm in northern Iowa where he developed a strong work ethic. He attended the Evangelical United Brethren Church as a child into adulthood. When he was a young man, he sang in a barber shop quartet and was a gifted musician. He played the violin, piano, organ, as well as accordion. His grandfather was an Austrian immigrant of German heritage, and he owned his own music shop in Iowa. He made violins, cellos, as well as other musical instruments. 

My Father served in the United States Army during World War Two and was stationed on the Island of Guam. He was engaged to my mother prior to enlisting in the army. They married upon his return from war. My mother was raised Baptist and was from Arkansas. 

After their marriage, they lived on the family farm in Iowa. My mother led my father to Christ. My father had a religious faith but not a personal relationship with Christ. After his salvation, he made friends with a Pentecostal minister who later became his spiritual mentor.

 My father and mother knew nothing about the gifts of the Spirit. One day they were praying together on their knees and asking God for all that he had for them. They asked God to reveal himself to them and a wind entered the room and my father began to speak in an unknown language and my mom prophesied. My father called up his minister friend and told him of the experience. He said, this strange language came out of my mouth, "What is happening?" The pastor said in a booming voice, " Praise God brother Paul, you got the Holy Ghost!"

This Pentecostal minister discipled my father in the faith. My father was called into the full-time ministry, and by faith, he left the farm and set out to travel and preach. His father threatened to disinherit him if he left the farm. His father who was an atheist, told him that if he left the farm, he would leave the farm to his cousin. My father said, "I must obey God." However, his mother was a godly saint who loved the Lord very much. His father only attended church in order to be accepted by the community. His father had a vision of Christ upon his deathbed and got saved. My father prayed for his salvation for many years and God answered! 

My parents started out with a travel trailer that they pulled behind their vehicle. God would speak to both of them through visions, words, as well as angels. In fact, they had many angelic visitations. I have also had many angelic visitations. They were instructed by the Lord where to go and minster, and they planted many churches across the nation. My father preached in churches, tent revivals, at home, on the radio, as well as pastored three different churches.

My mother ministered alongside my father. My father preached and my mother ministered prophetically. She ministered in the word of knowledge. She would have visions, words, and would discern sickness and diseases that God desired to heal. My parents together would then pray over people for healings, as well as deliverance from evil spirits. They saw many miracles of healings and cast out demons through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the early days of their ministry when they were low on groceries God would always provide. Someone would knock on their door and hand them a bag of groceries. It was usually items that they were in need of. They never made a need known, nor asked for anything, but God heard their prayers. 

My father eventually inherited his father's farm. He then bought his own business and built a church building with his own money. He pastored for free and gave away copies of his book and tracks. He never preached on money and used offerings to pay the utility bills for the church. He desired to be an example like the Apostle Paul and work with his own hands and not be a burden to others.

 My father was my example, and that is why I have pastored and ministered for free my entire life. I am low income and struggle, but I will never ask for money. Freely I have received, and freely I will give, as Christ instructed his disciples. My parent's legacy was that of love, humility, and holiness.