Testimonies

Shannon Callan    Lynda Gilpin    Wendy Jobe    David Carter    Kathy Garner

Sharon Brown    Sophie Gonzales    Ron Lohr    Healing Touches

Nigeria Mission Trip Testimonies: - 2005 & 2007

Introduction

In this section, you will read the stories of people who have received help from God. Jesus was sent by God the Father, and he was anointed by the Spirit of God, to do something about our condition. Jesus, the Son of God, is authorized and empowered to do something about every condition people face. The Lord Jesus comes to share good news that God saves, to set free captives from their bondages and addictions, to heal the sick, and to release the discouraged and oppressed (Luke 4:18-19).

On Mission in Nigeria

By Shannon Callan

I just got back from an amazing two months, Sept. – Oct., 2007, serving the Lord as a missionary in Nigeria . I went with an organization called SIM, Serving in Mission , which has been serving for many years in Nigeria . I was working mostly as the librarian/reading tutor at a home for boys who formerly lived on the street, and also helping tutor a Nigerian woman in English so that she could serve the mission in an administrative capacity. Throughout my time overseas, I sent a number of e-mails home to keep friends, family, and intercessors updated on what I was doing. This is a copy of my final e-mail, my “swan song,” so to speak, my final reflection on and summation of my experience. Hope you enjoy this little taste of my experience!

Well, friends, I am afraid that the time has come for us to part. But, because of this tragic but monumental occasion, I have cooked up something special with which to say goodbye.  So today I present to you, completely free of charge, the all-new, never before seen, and exclusive interview with Shannon Callan, conducted by none other than the brilliant and insightful Shannon Callan! (Hey, I don't have a lot of options. Barbara Walters isn't exactly pounding down the door to do this kind of thing.) And now for our feature presentation:

Shannon: So, Shannon , thanks for taking the time to meet with me today and answer some questions. I know you must have a lot on your plate. And can I say that your time in Nigeria seems to have made you more attractive than ever?

Shannon : [laughs] Oh, you are too kind! But I'm always happy to set aside some time to talk to my biggest fan.

Shannon : Absolutely! Well, let's get down to business. One question that many long-time readers have been asking is the perennial favorite: What was the best part about your time in Nigeria ?

Shannon : Naturally it's difficult for me to boil it down to just one thing, except for maybe that achaba (motorcycle) ride I wrote about! But seriously, if I had to say what the best thing was, it was relationships. That is such a huge focus of Nigerian life and when you are willing to give yourself to it, it really blesses you in return. Even in the acquaintances that you form with vendors in the market or neighbors across the street, it's amazing how willing other people are to share their lives with you and how enthusiastic they are to know about yours. People in Nigeria really understand the lasting value of a good conversation. I was also amazed that I was able to get as close to the other missionaries as I did in only two months. I was blessed to really form some friendships even in that short time, and I was sad to have to leave those friends behind. And of course, the relationships that I was able to form with the former street kids I was working with was amazing. They are full of so much promise and so many hopes and dreams for the future and so many of them already know that whatever they plan to do, they want to serve God for the rest of their lives. It is such a privilege to have been able to spend the time with them that I did. And I expect to hear great things from them in the future.

Shannon: So, Shannon, how do you think that your time in Nigeria has changed you personally?

Shannon : That's a difficult question and I don't think I'll fully know the answer for another few months. But I think one of the things that's changed is that I'm at least able to be slightly more outgoing than I was in the past. I think that's just what's demanded of you in an extroverted culture, so I think I may have changed to become more like that in just trying so hard to adapt. That's my hope at least. On the more negative side, I think one of the most difficult "reverse culture shock" kinds of things I've been dealing with since coming back to the States is trying to accept how demanding and downright rude Americans can be. So many people seem to be walking through life with this strange delusion that they are the most important person around and what they want is of paramount concern to everybody else. Why is that? I want to be able to be gracious, but sometimes I just feel like smacking someone!  

Shannon : Wow, okay, well, let's forge ahead. Here's a hard-hitter: What do you think God was teaching you during your time in Nigeria ?

Shannon : I think that signing up for missions service is kind of like being enrolled in the School of Hard Knocks. Because of the situation you find yourself in, it's kind of like everything God's been saying to you suddenly has exclamation points on the end. One of the things I've always struggled with is 

coming to terms with my own weakness. I've always wanted to be the independent one, the one who didn't need any help, who was never sick or tired or incapable, no matter what the situation. During my time in Nigeria , God was showing me that that kind of attitude isn't only unrealistic and unhealthy, it's sinful. I'm still reeling from that one. And I've discovered that that kind of pride is crippling, because in self-sufficiency we not only cut ourselves from the strength we get from other people's support, but we cut ourselves off from the support of God himself. We also cultivate contempt for other people who are willing to admit that they are weak, which isn't healthy or loving. So far I've just started to realize the implications of this, and have not yet had a chance to walk it out, so hopefully I'll eventually get to the point where this actually bears some kind of fruit in my life. The big unfinished lesson is something about trusting God, and why it is that we trust God and what it means for God to be trustworthy, because I think a lot of what I thought about those questions was shaken up by the robbery, but I am very much in the middle of that one right now.

(A little over halfway through my time in Nigeria, I was eating dinner with a couple of friends when two armed men broke into the apartment where we were eating and stole some of my friend’s belongings before one of my friends was able to sound the alarm and scare them away.)

  Shannon : So, if you don't mind my asking, how are you doing with processing the whole robbery incident? I know you just did a lot of debriefing with SIM member-care personnel at their headquarters in Charlotte when you first got back to the States, but where are you with that now?

Shannon : Mmmm, I can't hide anything from that famous piercing insight of yours, can I? Well, debriefing was really good, really thorough. I pretty much spent 4 solid days straight talking about different issues in my processing of the event. I'm going to be really honest with you. I still struggle with feeling fearful. I feel like a lot of people's sense of security is based on the belief that nothing really bad could ever happen to them. That illusion is stripped away when something like that happens and you can't really rebuild on that same foundation. That's probably a good thing, because it's the wrong foundation to build your security on in the first place, but it's still very difficult. But I know that time will also help to repair that sense of security. And I also know that God never guarantees anyone’s safety, whether they’re pastors or missionaries or no matter who they are. In fact, it’s the opposite. Jesus warns us that we ARE going to face persecution and danger in doing his work. That doesn’t change the fact that we are called, and I think the consequences for disobeying the call of God are even greater. Look what happened to Jonah.

Shannon : Well thanks for your honesty. So, besides seeing your family and friends, what is the best thing about being back in the States?

Shannon : I don't think it's possible to overestimate the simple joys of brushing your teeth with water straight from the tap. For me that just embodies a lot of what's nice about the States: sanitation, convenience, not having to worry about upsetting your stomach at every meal. And, I haven't really had a chance yet, but I'm very much looking forward to being able to go to the grocery store. It's going to be nice not to have to negotiate the price of every bunch of carrots and bag of sugar.

Shannon : Time-saving, at the very least. So, now you're kind of back to square one in terms of the age old "You've just graduated from college, what are you going to do now?" question. What's in store for you in the future?

Shannon : Have I ever mentioned how obnoxious that question becomes after a while? But in the short term, the plan for the immediate future is to live at home for a while and work on finding myself a job. For long term plans, I need to become a celebrity in the next few years so that I'll be able to compete on Dancing with the Stars. I'm not sure what kind of notoriety I would like to achieve, but it doesn't really matter, as it's just a means to an end. But after that, I think I will go on to do some seminary studies to prepare me for a future in some kind of Christian service, or to give me another shiny degree to hang on the wall of my office when I make manager at the local McDonald's.

Shannon : Okay, I realize that I've already taken up a great deal of your valuable time, but I have just one more question: What would you say to someone who's contemplating missions work?

Shannon : Well, to borrow the words of the Roman goddess Nike, I would say, "Just do it!" A lot of people hold themselves back from taking advantage of the opportunities that come their way because they're scared or they have a myriad of excuses, like finances, work, opportunities, getting sick on local food, all kinds of things. I think a lot of people psych themselves out of it by allowing themselves to see only obstacles, instead of asking "Is there some way

I could get around this?" before giving up. And as for being afraid, well, I guess I know as well as anybody that there are good reasons to be afraid of going on the field. But there are also good reasons to be afraid to go to downtown, or to go out your door, for that matter. If you look for a reason to be afraid, you will always find it. And as I said before, we are promised danger and tribulation and that holds true no matter where we are. So, seriously, I would say that if international missions are something you feel called to, or even if it's only something you feel like you might be called to, pursue it.

Shannon: Well, again, Shannon , thank you for your time. You know, I heard that you were an intelligent woman, but talking to you has just revealed a depth to your perspicacity that I didn't even know existed. It is such an honor to be able to spend this time with you.

Shannon : Really, it was nothing. As I said, I'm always willing to talk with someone who appreciates the honor.

Well, that's about it for me. Again, I cannot say enough thanks to all of you for all of your support and your prayers and your e-mails and words of encouragement. I have so much enjoyed bringing you all on this journey with me, and I know that God goes with you on your journey, no matter where it takes you.

Celebrating Years of God’s Healing Grace and Mercy

Lynda Gilpin, 10-3-07

Editor’s note: Lynda’s testimony is powerful. She celebrates the Lord’s continuous work of physical and emotional healing in her life. Lynda has been a member of Calvary since the early days, has served on the mission field in Russia and Israel , and continues to serve faithfully at Calvary on the World Missions Council and through small groups.

I believe that healing comes in our spirit, body, and soul, (mind, emotion, physical healing), because this has been my experience in my walk with the Lord.

In 1989 the Lord was speaking to me to come to the end of self, to admit where I was, and to come and cry out to him. (I was in recovery from a recent divorce and years of mental abuse.)

My friend Magan said to me at church one day, “We should forget the makeup. We come and cry it off every service.” It was as if the Lord was saying, “Don’t hide behind anything, no false fronts. Be open and transparent so that you can learn what is in your heart.”

Mahesh Chavada prayed for me at the Kansas City Conference in 1990, in his session for healing of damaged emotions. I had never really embraced that thought before, but I knew that it was from the Lord.

Thus began my journey of pressing in to the Lord, asking for this healing to become complete in my life. It seemed that every service as we came together at Calvary the Lord was supernaturally healing something deep inside of me that I was not even aware of that needed healing.

I would sit in the worship and teaching services and weep. I continually asked good friends to pray for me as I felt that I needed others to stand in the gap with me. I wondered if they would tire of seeing me as I approached them for prayers. But, I continued to follow the leading of the Lord.

In 1991, again at the Kansas City Conference, the Lord revealed to me that he was healing/delivering me from the fear of man, imparting a new level of boldness within me.

He did this in an interesting way, through an encounter with a homeless, demon-possessed man who approached me in a park at the table where I was sitting for morning coffee outside the hotel we stayed in. The man sat down and literally growled at me while speaking. I recognized he had a demonic spirit, and I told him Jesus loved him. I sat there as long as I could stand it trying to witness to him and finally got up and staggered away in tears.

I was emotionally undone as this event unfolded that early morning; he had frightened me profoundly. I was alone, sitting by myself at that table writing in my journal, and there was no one around to help me.

As I left the table, God sent me an angel in disguise. Suddenly there was a precious, gentle old man who appeared where he had not previously been. He pulled his small Bible out of his pocket and began to speak in a calm way to me. He said he totally depended on the Lord for all he needed, and lived by the words in his Bible.

When I made my way into the auditorium and found the area our group was sitting in, I shared with friends there what had happened. They prayed with me. In the praise and worship service, the presence of the Lord was so heavy on me I could hardly stand. Two people were holding me up.

It was during this worship service that the Lord made me aware that he was giving me a spirit of boldness and that I had a hidden fear of man-- what they thought and how they had treated me in the past. He was setting me free.

Alan Vincent visited Calvary in 1992. I had never met him, nor heard him speak. As he was giving his message, he stopped about 5 minutes into it and stated, “There is a lady here that has a back problem and God wants to heal you.”

For several months I had been dealing with one of those “bend over and tie your shoe back slip outs.” I had been to a chiropractor, had treatments, and had some relief. However, I was far from being well.

God had impressed in me that I still harbored unforgiveness toward my former husband. I had to learn what unconditional forgiveness really meant. Although I had dealt with some parts of that, and was still working on it as God revealed things to me, I came to realize that my physical back problem was connected to this issue of unforgiveness.

This seemed to be the time and place that God chose to deal with it. As I went to the front of the church for Alan to pray for me, the power of the God was so intense that I “rested in the Spirit” for the remainder of that service.

It was an hour and a half before I could manage to sit up, I was so drunk in the Spirit. I had to be driven home, missed the next day of work, and I was still drunk. When my head cleared, my back was entirely healed.

God impressed on me to read Daniel 8:27 “As he was exhausted and lay ill for several days.” My healing was so complete that months later I went to Latvia with our first mission team and shuffled two seventy pound pieces of luggage-- one for me, and one for Tammy Ross who lived in Latvia .

Jack Deere spoke over me by name at a conference from a crowded room of hundreds in March of 1993.

His word was “There is a woman named Lynda here. You feel defeated in your prayer life, feel condemnation, and feel worthless. You think you cannot change, you don’t like yourself, and you think God doesn’t even like you. You’re more in touch with failure than truth. These are lies of the enemy. God can change all that; you are powerless to change this. God loves you. He has planted a seed already in your heart. It will grow into a beautiful plant. There will be a stability in your emotions which you have never experienced before. Take one step to Him; He will run to you. You will feel in your heart the affection the Lord has for you. You will have a hunger to pray. It will be a sovereign work the Lord is going to do.”

A few months later, I was on my way to Moscow , Russia , with The Commission Program, teaching Christian Morals and Ethics in Russian schools to Russian teachers. That in itself is a miracle story of God’s provision for me to go.

I was living out the words that Jack Deere had spoken over me, and when I returned in 1994 to Calvary , again God touched me with healing from a spirit of rejection. I was scheduled to make the second trip into Latvia with a mission team.

As they prayed for our team, God profoundly touched me as I rested once again in his Spirit. Robert Smith told me the Lord was healing me of this rejection. Later when I tried again to get up, I fell again. This time pastors Jeff McGee and John Foster came to pray for me. Jeff McGee spoke that the Lord had healed me of a spirit of rejection, that he was giving me authority to pray for those who also suffered from rejection.

The most recent physical healing I have experienced is for my right arm. I injured it late in 2006, lifting heavy objects, then overworking it at the shoulder joint. I had asked for prayer several times at LIFT group and at the end of Sunday service.

A word was spoken to me that the healing would not be complete until after I returned from the Nigerian Mission Trip (in January, 2007), and that I would never be the same after this trip.

While there, a pastor prayed for the congregation for healing. There was grace to ask the Lord at that time for the healing we needed. Debbie Buckles was praying for me. For the first time in months I was able to raise my arm above my head and rotate it some. This has been so awesome for me.

Celebrating the goodness of the Lord,

Lynda Gilpin

Healed of Food Allergies

Wendy Jobe - December 2007

Editor’s note: At a recent Friends and Family Service, Wendy Jobe shared a remarkable testimony of God’s healing. The Lord surprised Wendy during a church service with his presence in a tangible way. We rejoice with Wendy and celebrate the grace and goodness of our Living God.

Two years ago, I found an explanation for why I had been feeling so ill for the previous several years. I had had body aches, horrible headaches, stomach cramps, nausea, fatigue, sinus infections along with laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and tonsillitis.  My doctor finally gave me an allergy test and discovered that I was allergic to a host of foods (wheat flour, gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, oranges, tuna fish, and a lot of other foods) that I had been consuming daily. I had been poisoning myself. After a period of detoxation, I changed my diet and my health radically improved. For two days after I found out about the allergies, I really struggled with God. I was not happy thinking about never being able to eat pizza and bread again! After that, I decided to accept that God knew this was happening and maybe He had a reason and a plan.

Then, in early November of this year, I was at church one Sunday, enjoying the worship, but sitting down because I had had some “forbidden” food which was making me feel sick. During the worship time, a few of the men spontaneously began making a circle around the worship center while we sang. My husband took my hand and led me to be a part of the circle as more and more people began making their way to the edge surrounding the sanctuary. It was a powerful moment as we sang, holding hands, standing together in a big circle worshipping the Lord. At that time, one of the men of the church began walking around the sanctuary waving a flag in worship. When the flag breezed past me, I felt God’s presence just flow through my body and the word “healing” popped into my head. When the songs ended, and we returned to our seats, I asked my husband, Duane, if he felt God’s presence come over him in a strong way when the flag went by. He said that he had not. I thought about what it was that God was speaking to me, and I felt prompted that God was speaking to me about healing my food allergies.

I was so surprised that I didn’t even mention it to Duane for about a week. I decided to test it out by eating some of those allergen foods to see what might happen. What happened was nothing! I ate bread and had no reaction. I drank a glass of milk and sat waiting for the inevitable to happen and it never did. After about a week I told Duane everything that had been going on and we hesitantly rejoiced and kept waiting to see if anything would happen. Now, it is the beginning of January and I am healthy and happy, and eating a diet that would have knocked me off my feet just three months ago! I’m still amazed at how that could have happened!

Fort Bend Youth for Christ

David Carter

Editor’s note: Recently, David Carter sent out an update on their ministry. Then, he followed it up with an encouraging email. This testimony includes updates from both the recent letter and email.

FBYFC is growing and expanding at a rapid rate, reaching more teenagers than any other time in our history. Last year we were able to present the Gospel to more than 2,200 kids and had over 1,000 first time decisions to follow Christ.

In our Youth Guidance ministry, we have been given favor with the county to have an open door to the Ft. Bend Juvenile Detention Center . All kids between 10 and 18 years of age, who get in trouble with the law in Fort Bend , are brought to this facility. We have a running joke that JDC does not stand for Juvenile Detention Center ! rather, it means Jesus Development Center . It's because we have Bible studies and/or church services there every day except Saturday. We also provide Bibles and study helps to ensure these kids get a good dose of the Word.

We continue to work with the teenagers in two boot camps. They have weekly Bible studies in which we provide them with their own Bible and one-on-one counseling. This ministry provides more of a high impact relationship, since these kids have to stay with the boot camp for at least 6 months.

In our Campus Life ministry, we work with kids in local high schools in an off-campus club setting. Any teenager can attend Campus Life. The meetings are high energy with much activity, including camps and trips. The ministry greatly depends on forming strong, significant relationships with kids in order to share Christ in an effective way.

We also played a significant role in Fort Bend Convoy of Hope. It was a county wide program reaching more than 3,500 people from low income families. These people were given food, medical treatment (vaccinations), groceries, clothes, prayer, and a chance to receive Christ.

And, here is more good news. We have been invited to Brazoria County in order to start a ministry in their Juvenile Detention Center . That just about doubles overnight our ministry to kids. Our goal is to continue to take quality ministry into each county facility (which are state run institutions) and then reproduce ourselves in other counties. 

After so many years, I believe we have a good operating system that can be duplicated. Fort Bend has around 2,000 kids a year.  Over half of those kids respond to the Gospel each year.  I cannot guarantee that each decision made is genuine, but all we can do is plant seeds and water and depend on God to give the increase.  Right now, we have 25 volunteers working throughout the week in the Fort Bend facility.  We commonly call the ministry the Bible College because we have Bible Studies every day except Saturday, because that's visitation day for the parents. We make up for Saturday by having two Bible studies on Sunday. 

We do need you prayers.  We need to believe for another 25 volunteers. 

Your servants in Christ,
The Fort Bend Youth for Christ Team
David Carter Executive Director

Experiencing the Love of Calvary 

By Kathy Garner - September 2007

Cancer Healed 

By Sharon Brown

Divine Intervention for Unborn Child 

By Sophie Gonzales

A Transforming and Liberating Encounter through Calvary

By Ron Lohr

Healing Touches

2-19-07

Editor’s note: Calvary touches people locally and globally. We have members who minister to people in our own congregation, in our own community, in local prisons, and in other places in our city. Healing Touches, which is led by Joe and Joanne O’Sullivan, is one of the ministries at Calvary which has far reaching impact. Joe and Joanne have helped other congregations establish prayer for healing. The following testimony comes from a member of another congregation in Houston . This person serves as the prayer coordinator in their church. We were asked to share the testimony without names, for the sake of confidentiality. Rejoice with us in this testimony. Give thanks for Healing Touches. Ask God to continue to bless others through Healing Touches. 

Thanks, Joe and Joanne, for serving the Lord and the body of Christ.

I had been going through a "funk" for about six months. I had also been sick for two years with severe allergies. I had been prayed for, had gone for prayer, and had people come to my home to pray for me. However, nothing was getting any better. I had talked to Joanne before Christmas and she said if I wasn't any better to think about making a Healing Touches appointment after the New Year. 

Over New Years, I had gone to Kansas City and came home much sicker. So I made the appointment with HT.  While I was in Kansas City, I had met with my pastors and talked with them about my "funk" I had not said anything to either Joe or Joanne about my conversations with them. When I went for my HT appointment - that is exactly what the Lord wanted to talk to me about. 

My way of thinking is black and white. No gray. The team explained to me that the gray is where the mercy and grace from the Lord comes in, and that I wasn't extending any "gray" to others. Plus, I was trying to run from my calling instead of embracing it and just walking it out. Everything they prayed about, received from the Lord, spoke, and prayed into me was so right on. 

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