But, Lord, I'm A Southern Baptist

Mixed Response

Many in the congregation at Pythian Avenue did not approve of the move of God at our church. Several people left and many others criticized what was happening. Some labeled the experience "of Satan," others called it "a circus." One of my deacons even said that I had suffered brain damage. He thought it was from fasting too long and from the stress of the recent death of my father. Uneasiness mounted. Soon Pythian Avenue became a very uncomfortable place.

Knowing that the unrest could not be contained much longer, I earnestly sought the Lord for His direction. I felt God directing me to return to evangelism. So I resigned from Pythian Avenue in the middle of March 1997. I walked away from the church with a sense of relief. I felt totally free.

Through the years I had grown very close to the congregation. Several had begun to experience personal revival after the Spirit moved so powerfully on February 9. I didn�t want them to think I was walking out on them. "WILL THEY RESENT ME? CAN I MAINTAIN MY FRIENDSHIP WITH THEM? WILL THEY SUPPORT ME?" I had no idea what kind of response to expect.

On the other hand, many struggled with my decision. Some of the people that I had loved and ministered to for seven years would not shake my hand nor even look me in the eye. I received threatening phone calls, hate mail, and many unkind remarks. Even the denomination to which I had belonged for 20 years responded unkindly. God never said this new, Spirit-filled life would be easy.