“I was raised Catholic and always had a fear of the Lord. I served for several years as an altar boy. However, while in college, I became dissatisfied with the liturgy of the mass and felt that there had to be more to being a Christian. I wasn't even really sure about "this Jesus thing".

As a result I fell away from practicing for 4-5 years. It was not until I was a senior lieutenant in the United States Army and in the process of failing at it that I became interested in coming back to "religion". I tried going back to the Catholic Church but nothing had changed. I tried the post chapel but found it dead and a waste of time. I did have one friend, a peer, who was one of those "obnoxious" Christians. He was always cheerful and talked a lot about Jesus. I had gone to church with him a couple of times while I shared his apartment before mine was ready. So – I called him to ask if he was still going to church and could I go with him? He said "sure" - but the church I'm going to is not the same – it's better.

I began going to the First Christian Church in Clarksville, Tennesse, with him on Sunday night. This was their "non-traditional" service. I did not know just how "non-traditional" until later. The pastor was a larger than life personality, gave great messages, had great enthusiasm, and professed a "personal" relationship with Jesus. He would always end the service with an altar call for anyone wanting to renew their commitment to Jesus or establish a relationship with Jesus. He would then personally pray with those who went forward. After several months I gave it a try. My life changed immediately. I found a new peace, joy, satisfaction and success in my work and relationships. This was in the fall of 1975.

I have been following Jesus in a personal way ever since and would not dream of any other life.”

- Steve Powers

 

 

“When I was a little girl and heard about Jesus, I fell in love with Him, but I didn't know how to reach Him. I never heard about salvation in my church. So the disillusionment about life and church caused me to walk away, and at 16 years old, I became a self-professed atheist. Thus began the darkest phase of my life, and when I found no answers, I went into a deep depression that clouded my mind to the point of committing myself to a mental institution and even suicide.

During this time, a fellow student kept telling me about Jesus. I would listen politely but skeptically. She just kept planting seeds. One night, when I was at the end of my rope, I went into my room and saw this demonic creature (I believe it was the spirit of depression) sitting on the end of my bed. Totally freaked out, I ran down the dorm steps at 3:00 in the morning crying and screaming out for Jesus. I gave my life to Him and instantly felt a peace like I had never known before. His Holy Spirit totally engulfed me and turned my life around. That was over 50 years ago, and I can tell you this: He still is the only answer and the only peace for your life.

From that time on, all I wanted to do was serve Jesus. The desire of my heart was to help people and be a missionary. Steve and I went from church to church in our military travels, always seeking Jesus and the Holy Spirit, always serving Jesus with all our hearts, but only in a couple little places along the way did we really find Him. We searched for many, many years and finally gave up on church. I call it my almost 40 years in the wilderness.

It was prophesied over us several years ago that we would be part of an "urgent end-times ministry." When we retired to Florida, we gave one last ditch effort to find it. On the verge of giving up, we came to HOT House of Truth and met Shane and Marlene. We knew we were home. We found leaders who are preaching and living the Word, raising up true sons and daughters. We found the remnant, a body of believers being raised up as the Bride in these end times, hearing the truth and preaching the true Gospel. Since then I have been serving God and I have been to many different countries - over 30 mission trips - finally doing what I always wanted to do. I have seen the power of God move mightily in every nation and seen the truth set people free. I have seen the book of Acts in action, to heal the sick, cast out demons, set the captives free. Seeing babies healed of crippling diseases and tormented minds set free of mental illnesses has been glorious! There is nothing better that this! The latter years are truly greater than the former for me, and this is a promise from God to the remnant. Haggai 2:9. "The glory of this house shall be greater than the former, saith the Lord of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts." We are truly coming onto the most exciting times on the earth.”

- Elaine Powers

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