|
We are born-again, spirit-filled Christians
operating in the ministry gifts of the Holy Spirit. We are totally
dedicated to advancing the kingdom of heaven.
We opened the retreat in the spring of 1999 in an answer to the call of God. We
are now in our mid 60's. Through overcoming many trials and tribulations, we
experience Holy matrimony as God ordained ~ that the two shall become one flesh
~ that through this union heaven can be known on earth. It's just wonderful.
We have either lived through your story, or suffered in similar ways. Our
ministry to you comes out of our healing. We both know the pain of rejection,
divorce, a family suicide, loss of parents, addictions, co-dependency... it just
goes on.
As a result of our trials, both
individually and together, the Lord gave us great compassion for people who suffer. As Acts 14:22 states, “We must through many tribulations
enter the kingdom of God.” NKJ Version
Jacques Testimony
By the time I was 18 years old, I was a
full-blown alcoholic and bar-room brawler. Life was a living hell.
 At
27, I knew I was going to die if this continued. It was 1973. I had
a wife and child and was behaving in a way that went against everything I loved
and valued. One night the family had had enough and rallied to confront
me. The next day, I was in AA. Praise the Lord! I can't begin
to tell you what gratitude I have. There but for the grace of God go I.
That was
the beginning of my relationship with God.
Through the help of some wonderful people in
Alcoholics Anonymous, I worked through the 12
steps to freedom. About six months later, I
was visiting my brother, who was an Anglican
Priest. He said to me, ''Brother, I see how
happy you are now, but there is still a void in
your heart, isn't there?''
It was
as if I was staring in the face of Jesus Christ
himself. I fell on my knees before him and
accepted Jesus into my heart. My brother
laid hands on me, I was filled with the Holy
Spirit and began to speak in tongues. I was
born-again, on fire for the Lord.
Since
then I lived my life for the Lord. The
journey has been winding. The Lord has
delivered me from a lot of baggage. He has
allowed me to help plant churches, to sponsor many
people in AA, and has given me a real compassion
and love for those who are lost. I feel so
blessed that God has allowed me to continue His
work in this retreat setting.
Jo-Anne's Testimony
Childhood did not go well. Being of European
background I went through puberty very young and
that made me different. And as kids will be,
my peers ridiculed me and ostracized me. I
became the town victim... a hurting and lonely place to be.
My first
encounter with the Lord God was in 1973.
I was 26. It was a simple cry of ''If you
exist God, I could use you now.'' You see, I
didn't want to be me. I thought people would
accept me if I was different. God revealed
Himself to me in a very powerful way. Such
was the 4-day experience, that I forgave all past
hurts, accepted myself and believed. Life got
better. But I took it no further, not getting involved with the church, until 1987.
I just believed in God and noticed when He gave me revelations.
I developed a drinking problem and got desperate.
As I drove to my first AA meeting, I surrendered to God and was royally
delivered from the grips of alcoholism. The road to freedom was anything
but smooth, but the overcoming made me grateful for the valleys in my life.
After many years of spiritual growth in AA, I realized there was still a void.
I needed a personal relationship with Jesus. Upon accepting Jesus, and the
baptism in the Holy Spirit, the void was filled. Now that I've tasted the
kingdom of heaven and the glory of God, I have to have more... no turning
back...no turning back. My greatest prayer is to be able to love
completely without condition, like the Lord does.
|
