The Hand of God On Our World Today
SALVATION ON THE WAY TO A DISCO
In 1974 Vernon was on a business trip in Barstow, CA. One afternoon a client took Vernon to meet his pastor briefly at his church office. Vernon was not interested but was polite and picked up a brochure about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which he had never heard of. Back at his hotel, Vernon smoked marijuana and had some drinks. Then he decided to drive to a disco. Getting lost, he asked for directions and a bystander said, “I only know Jesus. You need to cross the railroad tracks and go to the end of the mountain road." Vernon followed these directions looking for the disco. Now highly drunk, he ended up at a Pentecostal church. He had never seen such a service. At first, he was mocking everything he saw, but he sobered up and a little old lady told him he needed to be saved and filled with the Holy Spirit.
The next day, out of loyalty to the denominational church he was raised in, Vernon went to a minister and asked about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. He was told about the healing services they were having and was invited to one later in the week. Inside, Vernon was angry at his childhood church and felt cheated that he had never been taught such things. He returned to the Pentecostal church and then accepted the Lord back in his hotel room. He spoke in tongues for over an hour!
Unfortunately, three days later Vernon turned back to the world and for three years lived in sin. Then, over several days his house burned down, his car burned up and a nail went through his foot. He turned back to the Lord, attended Bible school, married Margareth, worked in ministry, began Lifeline Ministries in 1981, and moved overseas in 1985.
INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY
Vernon and his wife, Margareth, have ministered around the world. They have seen Jesus do phenomenal healing. While in Armenia, Vernon went to the hospital to pray for a woman who had been paralyzed for six years. The Holy Spirit entered the room and she immediately got up and walked. Other patients were astonished and began getting healed as well.
When asked about what he has seen over his decades in ministry, Vernon says there have been so many miracles that it’s hard to count -- deaf ears opened in India, several deaf and dumb people healed instantly, blind eyes opened, people near death completely healed, etc. For him and Margareth, seeing miracles is part of their everyday life. They want other Christians to expect the same.
Vernon believes there will be a great move of God in the US similar to the Welsh Revival in 1904 which had an amazing effect on the population, and triggered revivals in several other countries. He says we are in a harvest season where God is touching people’s hearts and bringing them into His Kingdom.
“Right now there is great complacency in the American church with too much entertainment,” he continues, “We need to see the reality of Jesus in a demonstration of power. Christians need to know their authority in Jesus, to know how to do spiritual warfare, to have faith in the Word, to not fear the devil, and to know God's power is always greater than anything they face.”
For more information click the link! www.Lifeline-Intl.org
CREDITS
Founder & President, Lifeline International Ministries; Establishment of Schools of Ministry in both English and Spanish; Holds a Doctorate of Divinity.