Testimonies
from Church of Agape
Posted
by Stu
on 12/9/2002, 10:43 pm
12.235.173.187
To
all who
visit Community Chapel Gathering:
It has been an
honor for me to
be the collector, proof-reader, and “archivist” for what has become a
large and
growing number of testimonies from my brothers and sisters at Church of
Agape.
I have been greatly blessed to read the accounts of what God has done
in their
lives, largely because of the ministry of one precious man.
Your attitude
toward that man,
be it positive or negative, is of little consequence,in the over-all
scheme of
things. In the eternal scheme of things, your attitude may have very
serious
consequences, so I humbly ask you to reserve judgments.Take these
testimonies
in the spirit we intend them, the accounts of people who
love the Lord, their church and their pastor. We aren’t here to prove
anything,
to proselytize, or to change your mind. Anyway, “A man convinced
against his
will,is of the same opinion still.” The past fourteen years have
certainly made
that fact apparent, haven’t they?
I talked to Dave
about this,
feeling as though we ought to have his permission to embark on this
project on
his web site. He has been most gracious and helpful. I don’t see this
as
anything new, since, to me, Dave has always been fair, kind, and
reasonable in
his dealings with the myriad of conflicts that have arisen over time on
the
CCG.
I guess the
biggest departure
from the norm here will be that the usual give and take of this site
won’t be
possible. I’m simply going to post the testimonies. They are what they
are and
they really aren’t subject to debate anyway. Testimonies are by nature,
subjective. Please just consider them. If you just HAVE to comment, do
so, but
any response will probably come from me, as I have available time.
With Agape from
our Lord,
Stu
-------------------------------------------------
Note by PASTOR DON BARNETT:
The following
testimonies
(from members of the Church of Agapé) are intended to help those who
are
questioning, judging or wondering how Pastor Barnett and his flock are
doing.
These have not been altered, nor were their authors told what to say,
nor were
they handpicked! Inasmuch as this was my project (to help the unity
between
God’s people), I monitored them to be sure they would be edifying and
objective
– it wasn’t needed. More will be printed, periodically, for a time.
My own testimony is that I am experiencing such overwhelming and
wonderful
agapé each service, (during worship) that I can, emotionally, hardly
contain
it! I am deeply committed and in love with Jesus – and I feel God’s
love for
the saints. God is still doing miracle healing through me and through
Hal
Price, my Assistant-Pastor – and God is anointing me and giving me
increased
revelations. My church is continually expressing their deep
appreciation for
what they are learning. God is doing a very deep work in me and in
them. We are
very seriously preparing for the Latter Rain and the fruit harvest of
the Feast
of Tabernacles! God is pruning those not willing to line up behind
God’s
under-shepherd and those who are full of criticalness and who undermine
the one
God chose to lead this little flock. God is calling us to unity and is
promising soon to raise me (and us) up for a markedly increased last
day
ministry. We receive many prophecies and visions from God. All of my
past sins
(just as everyone else’s sins that were truly repented for) are under
the blood
of Jesus Christ and God has removed them as far as the East is from the
West,
to be remembered no more – so please leave them there!
-------------------------------------------------
Harpadzo writes,
God is doing
wonderful things
at the Church of Agapé! It's high time that a proper defense of our
church and
our Pastor be given, and I can say that in both regards, the Lord is
doing
marvelous things. In regard to our church, we are being knit together
in agapé
in deeper and more profound ways, and we are not selfishly hoarding the
manna
of this heavenly love but sharing it with one another and our families.
Even
though we don't have an official outreach now, when I have opportunity,
I share
the Gospel with the lost and the plan of God with Christians, and I am
struck
by the depth of God's love that I have for them as well as the wisdom
of God.
Over the years since the split, I have found myself growing in every
dimension
of my walk with God, and it's because of staying rooted in this church
where
agapé flows.
Worshipping God in
the spirit
is a lifeline, and I have fallen deeply in love with Jesus and the
saints at
the Church of Agapé! God is doing more than pouring out love, because
He is
unfolding His plan in greater detail. In many ways, I think that our
Pastor has
done his best theological work since the split, because he has deepened
and
broadened our understanding of God, Jesus Christ, and the plan of God.
The
Pastor's series that have shaped my thinking most profoundly have been
the
series on the Feast of Tabernacles, the Rothschild series, his
narrative on
Moses, a detailed series on the Song of Solomon (with new nuggets of
revelation), and the Judah series (which chronicles Judah's history
from King
Josiah through the Babylonian captivity until the death of the Prophet
Zechariah). The current series called Jesus, the Last Adam has reshaped
my
thinking about God in Christ and various corruptions of Scripture, and
I have a
greater appreciation for what Jesus endured in the wilderness as he was
tempted
by Satan, for I now know what was at stake. In both major and minor
ways, the
Pastor is sharpening his focus on many details of Unfolding Revelation
of God,
and his sermons are putting flesh on the bones of a doctrine that we
already
knew very well.
I have the honor
of working
with Pastor Barnett as his Research Assistant, and I can attest that he
is
truly a wonderful pastor and a man of God with a heart of gold. I have
worked
with Pastor Barnett as a volunteer and as a paid employee for over
twelve
years, and I would like to share some facts about my Pastor that I'm
sure you haven't
heard from the television, the newspapers, or any other media source.
He has a
very compassionate heart toward those in distress. With my own eyes, I
have
seen him give needy people in our church thousands of dollars from his
personal
funds so that they could buy food and other needed items. I have heard
him
pray, often fervently, for those who are sick, and many people have
testified
of God healing them, including me. I have seen him work very long
hours,
sometimes 12 to 13 hours a day because he cares about his congregation.
I've
seen him counseling people, desperately trying to help marriages. He
has
demonstrated this same heart of love throughout the time I've known
him. Why
don't people report these many good deeds of my pastor?! It doesn't
sell
newspapers or create tabloid television! No, I don't believe that
Pastor
Barnett is perfect or infallible, and he has often mentioned the fact
that he's
a sinner saved by grace, just as any Christian is, but he is a precious
saint
who loves Jesus and the sheep of his flock.
I grieve for the
lost sheep of
Pastor's flock, those who once were among us who, in one sense, are
AWOL
(Absent without Love/Absent without Logos), and I often pray for the
restoration of the church. I've visited a number of churches around the
country
from New York City to Los Angeles, and I can honestly say that I have
not seen
any church with the same depth in the Word or the Spirit, although I
have been
deeply edified at times in those churches. In conclusion, God is
transforming us
and conforming us to the image of His son, Jesus Christ! Glory!
With agape,
Harpadzo
Jesse's
Testimony
My name is Jesse
Hjartarson. I
was born into Community Chapel. I went there all the way until the
church
split. I was 10 or 11 years old during the split, and am now 25.
I believed all the
rumors
about Pastor Don Barnett and the church. I grew to dislike the church
greatly.
When I was about 16 years old, the Lord started really pulling on my
heart. At
about eighteen, I wanted to be a missionary, and I wanted to be
everything I
could be in Christ. I was going to a large church here in the area, and
I just
felt that there was more than was being preached.
Through a friend of mine, I was invited to come and visit Church of
Agape. When
I came, I felt the Lord telling me to keep an open mind about what I
was going
to see and hear. If my mind was closed, then I would never hear or
understand
any new revelation. So I kept an open mind coming in here.
At first I had a
hard time in
the natural with what I saw, but the sermon was incredible. It was
about the
typology of the Song of Solomon (Barnett’s Commentary on the Song of
Solomon-series). No other church that I have ever been to could open
the
scriptures up like that. So I came again.
Now I was asking questions about this “strange” love they showed one
another.
Sure as a child, I had seen it, but I had never experienced it. All of
my
previous information was from people who were critical, and of course I
was
also going by my natural eye. And again, the Pastor opened up the
scriptures
like I have never heard in my life. And I wasn’t an ignorant person in
the
Word. I had read the Bible for myself a couple of times when I was
about 18 and
then again when I was 20. But I had only common knowledge of scripture
and
partial church tradition. What I did have though, was a love for the
Lord.
I kept coming to
this church.
I decided that if God is anointing this man to open up the Word of God
and to
pray for healing for the sick with such results, and if there were
visions and
prophecies in the church, then I knew God was with this man. And the
love of
God and a care for souls were really within Don. Then I also decided in
my mind
to accept the other things that I didn’t totally understand (such as
connections). Once I made that decision, it was like the Lord put an
understanding in my mind about connections.
My love for the
Lord has
increased tremendously. My love for people has greatly increased. So
many new,
awesome revelations have been brought forth. For example, the Oneness,
Manchild, Feast of Tabernacles, two phases of World Government are some
of the
revelations we have received through our pastor. These truths are not
being
taught a lot out in the church world.
I am excited about
what the
Lord is making me into. I will be perfected, and I will be a part of
the body
of Christ up in Heaven.
I thank the Lord
for leading
me to this church which is abundant in love and truth, and I am
thankful to my
Pastor. He has shown me how to act under great persecution and demonic
attack,
never showing anger, but always showing God’s love and responding to
meanness
with God’s heart. Loving the Lord above his own happiness, he has
sacrificed
his life so that God’s children can be fed.
Since I have come
to Church of
Agape, it has been so wonderful to be able to freely love Jesus and
feel His
tremendous love for me. There is so much love that at times I can’t
help but
cry. It doesn’t always make logical sense why I am crying, but I know
the love
of Jesus for me is powerful. The bonus is that I can have a love for
people in
the body. When I have this agape love for people, I don’t care what sin
they
have committed. I don’t care what I know or think about. All I feel is
the love
of God for them.
The lord is really
anointing
our pastor to take us onward to Tabernacles. Thank you, Jesus.
For those who used
to go to
the Chapel, my parents were Gerry and Marie Flock. I changed my last
name.
-------------------------------------------------
Testimony by Mark Trueba
I have been under
Don Barnett’s ministry since 1977. There is no doubt that God
has used my Pastor to teach me everything I know about the Bible and
God. The
Word of God says, “The truth shall set you free,” (John 8:32) – but you
have to
have the truth! Nowhere else have I ever seen or heard the level of
truth that
I have received coming through my Pastor. I am not exaggerating when I
say that
I am who I am today because of the spiritual work that God has done in
my life
through the teachings I have received through my Pastor, Don Barnett.
God has been
building good
fruits in my life for many years. However, about a year and a half ago,
He
began a maturing work in me that has been life-changing both inwardly
and
outwardly. I feel the love of God (agape) come to me through different
ones in
our church body – and experience His love (agape) for others, as well.
My inner
soul and spirit are being drawn into a love relationship with Jesus
that is so
rich and sweet. I no longer spend my free time hanging out in front of
the TV– instead,
I find myself drawn to sermon tapes, praise music, prayer time, and
studying
the Word of God. I am not just loving God, I am IN LOVE with Him. I am
drawn to
prayer like never before, and feel God’s heart of love (agape) for all
His
people – including my wife. I am stepping out in new areas as the
fruits of the
Spirit are manifested in my life. My wife and those around me have
noticed that
I am more patient, loving, forgiving, and kind. I am implementing
truths that
my Pastor has taught me, including “hanging up on the devil”, following
the
principles of the Word of God, and giving/receiving love.
When I listen to
and follow
the teachings of my Pastor, I grow in God. Period. He has always
pointed me to
the Lord – and still does. His ministry has been (and still is) the
most
anointed I’ve ever seen or experienced, and I am truly blessed to have
such a
wise and knowledgeable spiritual leader. The Lord is so amazingly
wonderful! I
am thankful that He loved me enough to call me to a pastor who could
teach me
how to worship the Lord in spirit and truth. I give God all the glory
for the
work that He has done in my life!
-------------------------------------------------
Testimony by Larry Gates
Since 1979, I have
been a
member of Community Chapel and now the Church of Agape’. I have always
greatly
appreciated the wonderful teaching of the Word of God that our Pastor
has
brought to us and the incredible spiritual worship we have experienced.
This foundation in
the Word of
God has been a sure anchor in my walk with Jesus. Pastor Barnett has
continued
to teach and preach with a wonderful anointing. His most recent
messages
continue to unfold the revelation of who God is, who Christ is and His
wonderful plan for man! Along with these rich, theological messages, he
continues to bring some very practical sermons to help in our daily
walk with
God and help us avoid the snares of our enemy. I deeply appreciate the
wonderful teaching and care that Pastor Barnett provides to the sheep
of this
flock.
Our worship times
have been
very wonderful too. God’s wonderful love has brought greater unity and
much
healing to our lives. After experiencing a powerful, spiritual
connection
during worship one Sunday morning, I found myself propelled into the
spirit. I
began to experience God’s great love for me personally and His
acceptance of
me. Following this worship time, I was (without effort) experiencing
the Spirit
of the Lord constantly for nearly four weeks. I would even wake up in
the
middle of the night and find myself praying in the spirit and loving
the Lord.
Generally, I do not experience the intensity of His spirit for the
same,
uninterrupted length of time. However, I find that in experiencing His
love and
His Spirit in our worship services, I am being healed, gaining
spiritual
strength and am able to walk more consistently “in the spirit”
throughout the
week. I have greater love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
self-control… This
is a great encouragement to me and a blessing to my marriage, my family
and my
whole life.
One final thought…
In the 5th
chapter of the book of Acts Peter and the other apostles were brought
before
the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest regarding their
teaching in
Jesus name. After the apostles spoke, those on the council were furious
and
sought to put the men to death. It was then that Gamaliel spoke up and
addressed the Sanhedrin. He concluded with these words…”Therefore, in
the
present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if
their
purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from
God,
you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves
fighting
against God." (NIV)
I am totally and
thoroughly
convinced that this is a work of God. In love, I would admonish all who
might
attack or accuse to carefully and prayerfully consider the words of
Gamaliel so
that you may not find yourself fighting against God or your Christian
brethren.
In our Masters
wonderful love
and service,
Larry Gates
-------------------------------------------------
More to come--Soon
Hi
Everyone,
Here’s the second
installment
of testimonies from Church of Agapé. But first, I feel the need to make
a few
personal remarks.
I want to sincerely thank each one of you that addressed a personal
comment to
me after the first posting. Tyler, Sam, Candy, Freedom Lover, Anthony,
Boreas,
Janet, XKSN, thank you for blessing me so much. Freedom lover, thank
you for
remembering Marianne. We are still married and in love, having just
recently
celebrated our thirty-eighth anniversary.
To know that many
of you still
listen to my music and are still blessed by it touches me deeply. I
feel very
fortunate to have been able to minister to you all at CCBTC. God called
me to
minister to His people in music, particularly in songs of Faith, and
that’s all
I’ve ever wanted to do. I am still very active in music ministry at
COA, though
at the moment, I’m fighting bronchitis. This kept me from being able to
minister at Chris’ memorial service, which greatly disappointed me.
I only made two
tapes at the
Chapel. The first was “Be Free, Brother Be Free” and the second was
“Exalted
Above the Heavens”. You can still find them from time to time, at yard
sales.
Since Community Chapel Publications no longer exists, and I hold the
copyrights, there is no problem with having someone make you a copy for
your
own use, if you can find someone with the capability and the tapes.
Boreas, I’m
not sure what songs you were referring to that were sung by my
daughter, but if
you will email me, I’ll tell you how to reach her. Janet, Kriste is the
mother
of three and has another on the way. To say we’re proud Grand-parents
is
putting it mildly.
I want to ask a
favor of all
of you. As I post these testimonies in the future, please leave
personal
comments regarding me or my music out of it. I AM very blessed. I DO
receive
your comments as from the Lord and from your hearts. As you express
love for me
and the music I ministered to you so long ago, my heart is being healed
of old
hurts that the Enemy put there. Thank you!! (maybe I’ll share more
about this
later) However, I don’t want the focus to be on me in any way. The only
thing
that should get attention is the testimonies of my brothers and sisters
at COA.
We want to focus our attention on Jesus, and on our church, and what
God is
doing there through the ministry of the pastor we love. We just want to
let you
know what is going on in our lives as a result. So…I have published my
email
address and I would love to hear from every one of you that wishes to
contact
me. I’ll answer as many as time permits.
Sorry, I do go
on…. Agapé to
all
On to
Testimonies………
-------------------------------------------------
Testimony By Al Tennent
Letter of support
and
appreciation for my Pastor and church.
One of the most
important
qualities that I have always seen in my Pastor Don Barnett is his great
desire
for God’s will to be carried out. I have seen and known many ministers,
but
have never known any with a stronger desire for God’s will to be done.
He is a
very faithful Pastor and teacher. He has God’s heart and patience in
shepherding the flock of God.
It make sense that the person who has this strong desire for God’s
will, would
also have the most understanding and revelation in God’ word. I can
honestly
say that I don’t know of any minister who has more understanding in
God’s word,
or more balance in the moving of God’s spirit than my Pastor. The
worship time
at Church of Agapé is like a pure drink from God’s Spirit, a pure drink
from
His love. I believe with all my heart that this Agapé that we share is
going to
be the main ingredient in God’s plan to perfect His church. I feel very
secure,
and very confident, that our Pastor Don Barnett is being led of God,
and is
feeding us abundantly with the things that God wants us to have to
prepare for
the last day moving of God’s spirit, and for the Rapture of the church.
I am
totally blessed, and am very happy to have the Church of Agapé as my
church
home!
God bless,
-------------------------------------------------
Sarah Beth Kenady writes:
The Chapel and
Church of Agapé
have always been in my life. My parents were called up to the Bible
College a
few years before I was born, and my mother has attended the church all
of my
life. I also have attended most of my life.
Ever since I was
filled with
the Spirit at 5 years old in the big red sanctuary, God has been a
priority in
my life. I have never really back-slidden, never really "sown my wild
oats", never really been a "bad girl". Don't get me wrong-I'm
still a teenager. I'm definitely not perfect. But it has always been a
priority
in my life to follow God...wherever He leads.
July 21, 1997-
That was the
day that God took me from one glory...to the next. It was a youth
retreat at
the Church of Agapé. God let me have a taste of His glorious love. I
became
connected to someone my own age.It happened to be a person that I
didn't
particularly care for at the time. We weren't what you would call
friends. We
were only acquaintances because we had to be. But after that night,
both of us
were never the same. I know it was God and His agape because one simply
cannot
love that entirely and that completely in just a single moment.
At that retreat,
God moved in
my life in more ways than one. Although I had been to many other
retreats at
this church and others, been slain in the Spirit numerous times and had
countless incredible experiences with God, at this retreat-He gave me
something
new.
I was completely
different
from that day on. Even though I had always been devoted to God, the
difference
in my life was so immense that it might as well have been the first day
I was
saved.
One month later, I
went back
to High School at Christian Faith. I was so excited to be able to
worship God
in our daily chapels. God had become my best friend, truly the Lord of
my
life-mundane and spiritual.Knowing that,you can understand the
disappointment I
felt when I walked into our first day of school chapel-and could no
longer
relate to the words being sung. It was like coming back from your first
Pentecostal meeting and then trying to find the same thing at a Baptist
service. It simply can't be done. I was hearing words that I had sung
most of
my life. Words that had given me the strength and commitment I had
needed to
get to this place. And yet I had a hard time relating to them anymore.
Singing
the songs that once made me feel alive in God, now made me feel (in
comparison
to what I had been experiencing at church)far away from God.
My life had
changed. I had
found that there was a new, more intimate place to be in God. That is
when I
came back to the Church of Agapé. I began to study the Word like crazy.
My life
became centered on God. He continued to work in me, making me more like
him
through deliverance, agapé, and His Word. Areas in my life that had
been torn
down and trampled by Satan were sweetly and carefully built back up. I
began to
truly understand God's heart for those who are lost and hurting. And it
was all
through His agapé and the teaching of my Pastor. I had found my home. I
had
found my God in ways I never before thought possible.
That is why you may be surprised to learn that once again, I can no
longer
relate to that person. When I look back at that time in my life, and
many more
steps along the way, I remember feeling so overcome by awe at what God
was
doing in my life. But now, only 5 years later, I realize that that
point in my
life was simply the starting of a journey in God that is still very
much alive
in me today. I cannot completely relate to that person anymore because
I have
stayed in this move-and so has God. He has changed me and healed me and
taught
me more in the last 5 years than I would've EVER imagined. He has
stayed
faithful and true.
He is teaching me
what it
truly is to follow Him.
And he is healing me. There are dozens of people that God has connected
me
with. And God has moved in every single person. God has been healing me
to
depths I never thought possible. Right now, I am connected powerfully
to an
older man who has become like a father to me, and this agapé is healing
many
hurts in that area. I am becoming whole. I am becoming a woman of God.
God is here. God
is moving.
Your God is alive and showing himself to His people. He is loving His
people.
He is healing, restoring and actively touching lives everyday.
Please-don't let
yourself miss
out on this. Your God loves you.
Sarah Beth Kenady
-------------------------------------------------
Re:
Testimonies from Church of Agape
Posted
by Stu
on 12/11/2002, 11:12 pm , in reply to "Re: Testimonies from Church of Agape"
12.235.173.187
Testimony of Dennis Pangburn
To all my brothers
and sisters, many of whom I know and love:
I have felt it on
my heart for quite some time to bring forth my testimony about all the
wonderful things Jesus has done in my life during the past four years.
Here are some of the reasons I feel to share this:
1. To glorify His
Holy Name.
2. To bless and
encourage all of you who want and desire more of His Presence and love,
and want more than anything else in your heart to be His Bride.
3. I feel that His
heart is deeply grieved and hurt from the continuing wrong judgments
and criticalness toward His church and pastors.
To those who have
allowed bitterness and hurt to overcome them: Let us not judge one
another any more (Romans 15:13). See also Hebrews 12:15.
I also believe
it’s time to allow the Lord God to purify our hearts, so He can unite
His people world-wide. Ephesians 4:3-13 says, in effect: “Keep the
unity of the Spirit until we all come into the unity of the faith.”
I gave my heart to
the Lord and became Spirit Filled at Community Chapel in 1974. The Lord
began doing wonderful things in my life as I entered into the move of
God there. I attended 6 years of full time Bible College and loved
every minute of it! The Word of God was (and is) so precious to me!
During the late
1980s, I went through a difficult phase in my life. Because of
circumstances against my will, I found myself separated from the church
that God had called me to. So because of these circumstances, I began
to visit other fellowships. I visited over a hundred Christian
assemblies in the northwestern states, ranging from the smallest
fellowships to the largest churches. Although I could see His Spirit
moving in some of these places, and met a lot of precious saints,
nothing compared to what I had experienced at Community Chapel.
At this time the Lord began to deal with me regarding His love, unity,
and forgiveness. The vision He had established in my heart years ago
through my pastor (Don Barnett) began to be rekindled in me! The vision
our Pastor taught us many years ago is very much alive!
In 1999, the Lord began to deal with my heart in the area of repentance
and forgiveness. I didn’t want anything in my heart to hinder His
Spirit and unity. As he began to lay a few brethren on my heart, I went
to them and the Lord brought healing. Then the Lord laid my former
Pastor, Don Barnett, strongly on my heart. I knew that I had to go to
him to repent and ask his forgiveness for things that I had held in my
heart against him. So I went with a friend to the Church of Agapé. My
intention was to go just once (to repent to Pastor Barnett). But from
the moment I walked through the door, the love of God began to pour out
on me through His people. With nearly every step I took, someone came
to me with love and a hug – including Pastor Barnett. This really
affected my heart, as I could feel my Pastor’s love for me, even though
I had been separated from him for so many years. I realized that I had
been kept away from this church by my own mind and by demons. Yet this
was the place that my heart had been crying out to God for! At the
Church of Agapé, I experienced freedom to give and receive God’s love
without fear or reservations. I knew that this was the place God had
always called me to.
At the end of that
service, the Lord moved on my heart again and I went forward to Pastor
Don to ask him for forgiveness for things I held against him in my
heart. He replied “I never held anything against you.” This affected my
heart and I was reunited with my pastor! The Lord did a precious,
healing work in me.
In Pastor Don
Barnett, I see a man who is truly humble and broken before God. He is
willing to buy the truth and to sell it not. The truths that he
teaches, I have not heard anywhere else. It is truly a blessing to be a
part of his ministry. I appreciate the wonderful things God is doing in
our Pastor.
Since I’ve been
back, the Lord has done many wonderful, precious things in my life,
including making a way for my kids to go to Christian School, thanks to
a pastor who loves them. Also, He has abundantly blessed my business of
17 years.
At the Church of Agapé, we’ve been experiencing a wonderful outpouring
of God’s love in every service. God’s Presence is almost tangible, and
is always with us. It’s wonderful! He is so tender and precious! Every
service, Pastor brings solid and in-depth principles from God’s Word.
He is teaching us how to apply God’s Word to our lives, and we are
allowing the Lord to change us and make us into his bride.
On Sunday
mornings, Pastor is currently teaching on Jesus as the Last Adam, a man
indwelt by God. This is making His Word come even more alive in my
heart. We are maturing in the Lord, experiencing the love of God in
purity and holiness.
I thank the Lord
for everything He has done in my life – especially these past four
years. It feels so good to be home again!
I look forward to
being united with all my brethren one day.
I pray this
testimony encourages and blesses you. God bless you all!
Love,
Dennis
-------------------------------------------------
That's all for
now. I'll try to post the next ones a bit earlier in the day. The best
God has to all of you.
I
don't know
what made me think I was going to get any postings done yesterday. We
all know
how busy Sunday is. Oh, well....Here are some words from COA.
-------------------------------------------------
Testimony by Thomas Pitton
I came to
Community Chapel in
August of 1978 from a Catholic background. That was all I knew. I
didn’t know
the Word of God at all. As I went to Bible College and went to
services, I
learned about the Bride of Christ and the Manchild ministry. About how
God was
looking for a people that he could raise up to be an extension of his
Son, the
Body of Christ.
Over the years
there were many
“moves” that God brought; inner healing, Singing in the Spirit,
Deliverance,
Dancing in the Spirit (solo), which then culminated with the move of
Agapé.
After the split, I continued with Pastor. Even though I saw he was
tremendously
hurt, he continued preaching and ministering the same messages with
anointing
as before.
His anointing has
also grown
and the vision has become clearer. He has continued to show the true
heart of
the shepherd preaching those things that we need. He just wants what’s
best for
us. The Agapé that God has poured out on us has brought healing and
caused us
to care more for each other.
I have witnessed
healings,
people’s lives being changed by the Word of God being preached and by
revelations that God has given Pastor, that he has given out. Not some
new or
esoteric things, but that which illuminates what God is going to do in
these
last days and about our relationship with the one who made the heavens
and the
earth.
My understanding
of God’s Word
has opened up because of Pastor’s dedication to preach only from the
Word. I
have learned principles to live by, how to resist the devil and over
the years
my vision, as well as my love and praise for Jesus, has continued to
grow.
-------------------------------------------------
Testimony of Janis (Myrick) Trueba
The Lord drew me
to Community
Chapel when I was 15 years old. From the moment I first walked in the
front
doors, I felt the Presence of the Lord in a powerful, almost tangible
way. I
knew that I was “home” – even though my friends and family did not
understand
or support my new-found faith. I attended Community Chapel Christian
School my
senior year, and then immediately enrolled in Bible College. At age 19,
I began
working full time at the church in the Operations/Security department,
and
moved into “Chapel Court” (on-site student dorms). So by the late
1980s,
Community Chapel was my employer, home, school, and church – as well as
the
center of my social life.
At the time of the church split, I followed Pastor Don Barnett to The
Church of
Agape. I knew that God had called me to be under his ministry; and
since God’s
anointing had obviously remained with our pastor – so would I. I have
never
regretted that decision, and know that my life has been blessed as a
result.
During the 1990s,
I worked as
the Pastor’s secretary, typing most of his sermons and correspondence,
organizing his home-office, and working on special projects. I had
almost daily
interaction with the pastor, whether I worked at the parsonage or at my
own
home. As an “insider”, I can honestly say that in all the years I’ve
known Don
Barnett, I have never seen him lose his temper, speak unkindly to
anyone, or do
ANYTHING that I considered to be even remotely questionable or wrong.
To the
contrary, I have always found him to be a man of wisdom with high
integrity and
great patience.
I remember going to my pastor for counseling once, when a particular
situation had
completely boxed me in and turned me into an emotional basket case.
Within a
few minutes (literally!) Don understood my situation and told me
exactly what I
needed to do and say to get out of the sticky mess I was in. I followed
his
advice, and it worked! By the end of the day, I was back on track with
my life
– full of appreciation for the Lord’s wisdom, which had poured through
my
pastor just for me.
God has done some amazing things during the 20+ years that I have been
walking
with Him. He has blessed me with a sweet man-of-God husband, and with
children
(a son and stepdaughter). I feel God’s love and protection on a daily
basis.
The Lord takes care of my financial and physical needs – but even more
importantly, He provides for my spiritual needs, so I can continue to
grow and
become stronger in Him. I give Jesus all the glory for the fruits that
He has
been developing in me, and for the good that He has done in and through
me. I
know that my life has been shaped by the principles of God’s Word as
taught by
my pastor.
During the past year, in particular, I have been drawn into His Word
and into
prayer, as I’ve realized an even deeper need to be completely focused
on and
devoted to Him with no other “idols” in my heart. I know that the
Lord’s love
is filling me more and more – sometimes coming through other
Christians, and
sometimes directly from His Spirit to mine. But no matter how He
chooses to
love me and nurture me, I trust Him completely to finish the good work
that He
has begun in me, perfecting me into His Bride.
I thank the Lord
daily for
bringing me to this church where I can receive continuous spiritual
nourishment, teaching, and strength. Hebrews 12:1b-2a is one of my
favorite
Scriptures because it expresses my desire to focus completely on Jesus,
throwing all distractions aside.
In the New Living Translation, it reads: “Let us strip off every weight
that
slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress.
And let
us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. We do this
by
keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to
finish.”
-------------------------------------------------
Re: More
Testimonies...Finally...
Posted
by Stu
on 12/16/2002, 1:50 pm , in reply to "More Testimonies...Finally..."
12.235.173.187
Testimony by Bruce McAllister
I know we are
living in very scary, dangerous, and uncertain times, but I also, know
that God has a plan and purpose for my life and that my safety lies in
following the plan He has laid out for me and following His leading
through the Shepard He has placed over me. I know God is going to move
in the greatest world wide move of His Spirit that the World has ever
seen just right up ahead, unifying His people in the Spirit with His
Agapé love and bringing us into the Unity of the faith. I believe God
is raising me up as an extension of my Pastor’s ministry and call to
help teach others the revelations of the Word of God and to help bring
them into the Unity of the Faith. I definitely feel called by God to
this church and to sit under my Pastor and learn the Word of God and
the things of God’s spirit and to be ready when god moves in the
up-coming latter Rain and Feast of Tabernacles. I share in my Pastor’s
vision and am very excited about what God is going to do!
I have been
learning many Truths that are not found in the standard reference books
or Bible commentaries and are generally not known in other churches. I
have been learning very scholarly, detailed Bible teaching on the
nature and attributes of God, on the Revelation of God being manifested
in His son Jesus Christ, on the up-coming spiritual Feast of
Tabernacles, on the Rapture, on the Perfect man of Ephesians, on who
the Man Child is, on unity of the Faith and unity of the Spirit, on
God’s Agapé love and connecting with one another in the Spirit, on
Faith, on overcoming, on the Christ life, reckoning yourself indeed
dead unto sin, the Holiness of God and the Glory of God to names just a
few.
Pastor Don has
been giving much Biblically, balanced Truth and perspectives on such
subjects as divorce and remarriage, abortion, integrity, what legalism
is and is not, what fanaticism is and is not, proper dress standards,
and what worldliness is to name just a few. The Pastor’s narratives,
especially the recent Judah series, are full of wonderful practical
Truths as well as much detailed historical, archeological and Biblical
back ground. I’m also, retaking a class on apocalypse/ Daniel in the
evening as well as listening to past sermons many of which are now
available on Computer CDs.
Not only am I learning the Word of God, but I’m also falling in Love
with God and his son Jesus Christ and I’m connecting with my brothers
and sisters at the church of Agapé and feeling God’s love for them.
Here I have freedom and liberty to worship and love God and Jesus with
all my heart and to feel and express God’s Agapé love to various
members of my church and not be ashamed.
I love my Pastor
and my church and what God is doing here at the church of Agapé. My
knowledge of God’s Word and the things of His Spirit and my love for
God and Jesus Christ and for the brethren and my commitment to follow
Jesus has only increased while under Pastor Don Barnett’s ministry. He
has been a faithful Shepherd to teach the pure Word of God, to teach us
how to live a balanced Christian life, to lead us according to God’s
direction and to be a godly example of one who is living the overcoming
Christ life that we can all imitate.
-------------------------------------------------
Testimony by Meg McCammon
I am very thankful
of having had the privilege of being under the ministry of Pastor Don
Barnett for approximately the last thirty years.
I have learned
numerous Bible truths, as well as having established a balanced
Christian walk because of his ministry. The teaching has been sound and
based on Biblical truth in every area.
I have gained a
love and appreciation for Jesus more than ever, which is growing year
by year and I am learning to have a love for my brethren, no matter
what their circumstances are.
Pastor Don has had
a love for Jesus, a respect toward God’s Word and a willingness to
preach the truth at all costs. As a result, my love and respect for him
has grown year by year, as well.
I am looking
forward to God’s people being united together in truth and love in the
days ahead.
In much Agapé,