The Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship Int.

 

The Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI) meetings,  are held at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston, they are really worth going to.  

 

The evening of Monday 16th February began with grace followed by a meal which was beautifully prepared by the hotel.   

 

A prayer was made after the meal followed by Praise in song and reflection on the wonderful love of Jesus and his power. Paul accompanied the hymn singing with his accordion which was very enjoyable. The presence of Jesus was more than just a feeling it was a fulfilment of the wonderful promise found in Matt 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.  Everyone present was in tune with the Lord and their love for him was evident.

 

The main purpose of these meetings is to bring men to God as there is a shortage of men in all of the churches. Women are very welcome their involvement is considered important as they  can pray and support their husbands and encourage them to come to the meetings.  They do not become members. People of all denominations meet together and share their experiences.

 

There is always a speaker who usually has a testimony in which to share their experiences of how God has worked in their lives.  The Regional President for the FGBMFI, Mike Wiltshire, gave a wonderful testimony of how the Lord came into his life and how he became a journalist and editor for the Financial Times.

 

Mike spoke of the power and presence of God and congratulated the Chapter for their work .  He is now retired and lives in Norwich with four grown up children and eight grandchildren.       

 

He grew up in the south of London during the war years and spoke of when as a child of six he was sitting in an air raid shelter with his sister and witnessed his mother praying which was something he had never seen before. At this time his father was serving in Egypt.

 

The next spiritual experience came at the age of ten when he felt an overwhelming presence of Jesus whilst he was in bed. Then at the age of sixteen he heard an amazing story about a Holy man who was a Christian and how Tibetan priests had locked him up underground it could possibly have been a well at one time there was no way out and the only key was kept on his jailer's belt.  After three days a rope was thrown down to him and he escaped and walked into the temple. He found this story amazing and it made an impression on his heart.

 

Mike had a friend named Doug, who had already given himself to God and who was very public about his spirituality whereas Mike kept his experiences to himself and at this point hadn’t talked about God.

 

At 17 years old he went to one of Billy Graham’s meetings in London, people were invited to come forward and make a public stand for their faith. Mike felt very unsure about this but something was urging him to go out there and do so.  It was announced that if you didn’t take this opportunity there may not be another. So he responded and this was a major step in his life. He also got to meet Billy Graham and speak to him which was very exciting.

 

One night he missed the last bus and decided to walk home.  As he walked he prayed to God telling him that he would like to spread the Gospel and reach  millions of people.  His prayer was answered God sent him to at least 50 different countries.

 

He decided to go to India to spread the word.  He married his fiance but his parents couldn’t understand why he wanted to follow God and move to  India especially and get married at the same time. They were very angry and showed their disaproval by refusing to go to his wedding

  

So off he went to India with his new wife.  He rang up the Bible Society and asked if they would print one hundred million leaflets of the the Gospel of John in twelve languages.  Although he had no knowledge of ships he found himself praying for one and he asked God to use him to spread the word. Well he got a ship with an entire crew and a captain! This was the first of four ships resulting in approximately sixty six million leaflets being distributed.  Mike has travelled at least 50 countries spreading the word of God.  

 

He returned to London after six years and as  a young reporter he heard the story about how Mark Twain wrote to the publishing houses offering to sell newspapers on the street corner if they would give him a job and they did, so Mike took a leaf out of his book and did the same and yes he found employment with the Financial Times.  There was barely enough for him and his young family to live on as he wasn't paid a wage but the Lord looked after them and they never missed a meal or went without. 

 

His area of work was Information Technology which was quite new twenty-five years ago.  He worked at the Financial Times for over thirty years

 

The words of Jesus, unlike the media, has given hope to millions and inspired many great people such as painters, musicians and poets etc. Mike pointed out that the Bible is more up to date than any news or media and that the words of Jesus are timeless. He finished by saying that he believes that there is much evidence pointing to the fact that we are living  in the last days.  You just have to look  at how technology has progressed and the increase of knowledge..

 

Mike brought the meeting to an end by quoting 2 Cor 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with all. Amen.

 

Gorleston is one of the oldest Chapters of the FGBMFI and they really need some new members. Just contact the secretary Mike Clarke on 01493 667581 to book the meal which costs £11, if you don’t want to have the meal then just come along at 8pm to listen to the speaker admission is free. You will be made very welcome! 

 

Next meeting will be 16^th March the speaker will be Roger Hill. The meal will be served at 7.30pm.