The Waveney Valley chapter of the FGBMFI

 

I was privileged to attend the Waveney Valley chapter of the FGBMFI on Monday 19^th May which was held at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston, I went with the purpose of creating a feature for this website.  My husband Roger (known as Mr Snappy) came too and took photos. We had a very enjoyable and enlightening spiritual evening and were very warmly welcomed by everyone.   

 

 

 The meeting began with a delicious meal of chicken or beef roast followed by tempting desserts and coffee, good conversation and a warm friendly Christian atmosphere. After dinner the President, Ivan Bullard, welcomed everyone we then prayed together and gave praise in song accompanied by Paul on the accordion. 

 Something very special happened to me which I will tell you about at the end of this article.

 

So what is the FGBMFI all about? Well the organisation began in America from humble beginnings and after a series of visions and prophecy received by a dairy farmer, Demos Shakarian, in Los Angeles California in 1951.   The ministry is specifically centred on men and although women do attend and enjoy the fellowship meetings, the emphasis is directed on men as it was pointed out in vision that there was a need to reach out to them in particular and bring them to Christ. There are more women in the churches; I know this to be true as I have seen it in my own church. Women do not actually become members; it is only the men for the simple reason that the ministry is based on men reaching out to men. I feel happy about this because we women have our own ministries and we have a special work to do also.

 

 

The secretary of the Waveney Valley Chapter, Michael Clarke, explained to me that the idea is for men to invite non Christian men to the meetings where they enjoy a fellowship meal followed by Praise in song and prayer they then have a speaker to give a testimony. This is not a sermon it is a testimony of their experience of Christ in their personal life and to share the Good News of Christ and to help others find out about the Spirit-filled walk with Christ. The fellowship operates in 150 countries and men from all denominations take part.

 

 

 

The highlight of the evening came from the speaker, Pat Page, who is a member of the Salvation Army Citadel and is known for his gift in healing. Pat was invited, or as he put it, dragged to one of the dinners by John Lawson, he did not think he should be there and he devised a plan for a quick exit at the first opportunity. A lady called Veronica told him that he would receive a special blessing on that evening but he was more concerned about leaving.

 

 

Pat had been a Christian in the Methodist Church for 40 years where he was a preacher and a leader of the choir, he really thought he had all the answers and knew it all. There were 70 people present that evening and they all stood up and prayed aloud which was extremely stirring.  He called out to the Lord, “I need you in my life now”, and the Lord came, leaving him a totally different person filled with the Holy Spirit. He spoke of how afterwards, when he was in his garden shed praying and reading, how the Lord spoke to him and asked which gift he would like. He responded by saying that he would like to have the gift of healing and to help people. He told the Lord that he had no idea how to go about using the gift and in response the Lord gave him instruction by telling him that all he had to do was lay hands on the person and pray. 

 

 

Gloria, his wife, also had a testimony to share as both her and Pat had lost their spouses. She spoke of how the Lord not only helped them with their bereavement but led them both to a close relationship with him and to each other. They are now both members of the Salvation Army and they were married in full uniform.

At the end of the testimonies people were invited to come forward to receive the laying on of hands

 

And now as I promised at the beginning of this article, I have something special to share. I suffer from severe Arthritis and am being treated for Lupus and although I was too shy to come forward I asked Pat to pray for me. Well he did, he laid hands on me, he prayed for all doubts to be removed and for healing. There wasn’t any thunder or lightening but I did find it easier to get in and out of the car. Today I woke up feeling much better in myself and actually managed to go for a walk on Hopton beach, which I love and haven’t been able to do for some time, I was also able to get up and down the steep ramp. I still have some stiffness and a bit of pain, but I am certain that I am in the Lord’s hands and that he has heard the prayer that Pat and Gloria poured over me.

 

The FGBMFI is truly well worth going to, the next meeting will be on Monday 16^th June at the Pier Hotel dinner commences at 7.30pm costing £11 per head. Bookings for the meal must be made in advance to Michael Clarke on 01493 667581. If you wish to come just for the worship and testimony that starts at approximately 8.30pm and admission is free but there will be a freewill collection at the end of the meeting.

 

 

At the June meeting, Malcolm Reeve, (a retired policeman) will be giving a testimony on his life in the force and how in 1986 he felt so low that he contemplated suicide and with a rope around his neck cried out from within for the Lord’s help, his cry was heard and he now preaches in places such as Zambia and India telling people about the love God has for every single person on earth.

 

 

By Yvonne Hill (webmaster)

Photos supplied by Mr Snappy (Roger Hill)