Intro:

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

Below is an introduction from a spiral notebook of stories Dad had written. He was compiling stories told to him by friends or of things that he had seen. His plan was to collect the stories and then write a book. The title, "It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did! was the title he had selected. I hope you enjoy his stories as I have been enjoying them, because many of his stories, are your stories. 

If anyone notices facts that are incorrect please private message me with the correct facts so I can change them. 
(Annette George)

"The things related in this publication are, to the best of my knowledge, true.

I have long felt that many things are being forgotten and should be preserved as a part of Pentecostal History. I have compiled stories from the lives of many ministers. I am sure that you will be moved by many of these stories as the experiences are shared with you. And you may roll with laughter as you read of the embarrassing and humorous experiences of others. They have blessed and amused me over the years. So allow me to share with you what many friends have shared with me."

As told by the late Rev. C.E. George

#9

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

Brother Charlie Wycliff, a fellow minister and friend has left a trail of miracles behind him too numerous to record, and countless people he has won to God. 

Being unable to read or write, yet Brother Charlie had an exceptional knowledge of the Bible. His ministry lasted about fifty years, took him from coast to coast and to some foreign countries. Many of those miles were covered by hitch hiking. 

There is no way I can list all of the astounding stories of Brother Charlie being led by the Spirit of God.  His beginning in the ministry was heartbreaking, yet he never faltered in that work. 

As a young boy Brother Charlie received the Holy Ghost and felt the call of God to the ministry. His stepfather, being an  infidel, resented him being a minister. So he beat him with a frying pan until Brother Charlie was bruised and bleeding then told him to get out and stay out. He carried the scars the rest of his life, not only visible scars but the beating left him with the mental capacity of a child as well, though  that never kept God from using him. 

Brother Charlie Wycliff began his ministry at the age of fifteen. With a small bag of clothes and no home he made his way to a small Texas town. He said as he walked past a vacant lot God told him to preach a revival there. 

After finding the owner of the lot, getting permission to use it and hanging oil lamps he still had no seats. Brother Charlie said he saw a church with discarded pews piled in the back. So he went up and knocked on the door of the parsonage. The pastor answered the door, Brother Charlie introduced himself and said, "God sent me to town to preach a revival." When the pastor asked to see his papers with their denominal organization and Brother Charlie said he had none, the pastor told him that he couldn't preach there. 

After being told that he couldn't preach for the denominal church Brother Charlie asked about the pews behind the church and the pastor told him he could have them if he would move them. 

After dragging the pews to the vacant lot Brother Charlie  began a revival which continued for many weeks. During that time about seventy-five people were baptized in Jesus Name, including two deacons and several other members from the church he had contacted when first coming to town. Over fifty people testified to the baptism of the Holy Ghost as in Acts 2:1-4 before the revival was over. 

Several ministers have relayed this testimony to me and said that a church was erected on that lot after the revival and continues until now. 

As told by the late Rev. C.E. George

#8

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

My wife and children and I were preaching a revival in East Saint Louis, Missouri for Pastor Herman Clenney, and staying in the Sunday School rooms of the church. Even though the church was adjacent to a police station we had been warned about the neighborhood. The pastor, to inform us of how dangerous the community was, told us about their church being broken into multiple times, about people throwing bottles through the windows during service, and other lawbreaking incidents that had happened.

Of course, with the large family we had, taking towels and clothing to the laundry mat was imminent. After a few days we drove around and found one, parked, carried the laundry in and loaded the washers. 

I leaned against a washer and my wife had set her purse on one while she was putting coins in and starting them all. 

Something caught my eye in the doorway and I watched a large man stop, look at my wife's purse then start walking toward me while staring me straight in the eye. I stepped in front of her purse, folded my arms and looked him in the eye as he advanced toward me. ( His eyes looked so cruel as to give you the feeling he was heartless.)

As the man approached and was within hearing distance I asked, "Do you know Jesus?" while still looking him in the eye. His next step was hesitant as he inquired, " What?" I repeated my question, "Do you know Jesus?" I saw the man's eyes soften and I continued to tell him about how God loved him so much, about the death, burial, the resurrection, and how God's Spirit came to dwell in us and give us life and hope. 

Before I finished talking the man had stopped in front of me and stood there with tears flowing down his cheeks. When I finished telling him about Jesus' love, hope, and grace he said, "Mr, I came in here to annihilate you, and would have if you hadn't told me about Jesus loving me."

 Story as told by Rev. C.E. George

#7

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

My wife and I along with our small daughters had just moved to Maynard, Arkansas in the 50's to start a church, leaving behind good paying jobs in Rockford, Illinois. We found ourselves struggling under the load of a new work with little income. Every penny that came in to the church for two years was needed to keep the doors open. The only work I was able to find was an occasional temporary job. 

On the first of the month we had a bill coming due for $10.72. That doesn't sound  like much now, but in a time like that it looked large. On the last night before it was due I talked to my wife and we committed the need to God before we went to church. 

We were in a revival so the offering we took, which was always a meager sum, was being given to the evangelist. 

During the service a lady came in who was a stranger, and God gave me a vision of her handing me a ten dollar bill. Immediately I fell on my knees and thanked God for it. 

When the service was over that night I was shaking hands with everyone and when I shook the hand of the visiting lady she left a bill in my hand. I didn't look at it, there was no need, I had seen it an hour before while it was still in her purse. 

As I shook hands with the other visitors that night a man gave me a dollar as well. 

When we arrived home we counted our money and had the $10.72 to pay the bill that was due plus $1.10 to pay the tithes on the $11.00 we had been given. Our bill was paid on time. 

Many times through the years of working for God, He has protected and provided for us when our eyes could see no way. We have found that "BIG or small" God sees our every need and He cares. 

As told by the late Rev. C.E. George

#6

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

A  minister I knew of from Indiana had crippling arthritis and could only walk with leg braces and crutches. Thankfully in later years God performed a miracle and made him whole, but this story that was related to me was before his healing. 

In the early years of his ministry this preacher was traveling to conduct a revival in a small, remote village. The village was in a valley at the bottom of a long stretch of gravel road. Cars were very scarce in the area during the 30's and this minister considered himself fortunate to be one of the few blessed to own one. 

The preacher told that he was running a little late when he came into view of the village below as he topped the last hill. Considering that he had a good view of the road in both directions he decided that he would have time to change into his suit before arriving at the church. He knew he would be able to see any cars coming from either direction.  

The minister stopped on top of the hill and got into the back seat of his four door sedan. He removed his shirt and undershirt and had his trousers around his ankles. As he realized he couldn't reach to take them off he started twisting and kicking to remove them. 

Suddenly, while twisting and kicking to remove his trousers the minister felt his car lurch forward and begin it's descent toward the village. Not being able to climb over the high-backed seat, he could only reach over and grasp the steering wheel to keep from wrecking. 

When a car came by in those days everyone stopped to look and children would run to the road to see it go by. So you could imagine the shock they received when seeing a man go by in only his bvd's.

After reaching the valley the evangelist was relieved that his car finally came to a halt. But that relief was short-lived as he saw the crowd of people watching him and realized he had stopped in front of the church. 

As told by Rev. C.E. George

#5

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

Rev. Joel Bourn shared with me a story about his Grandfather, Rev. Hiram Holland,  who was a man of faith and was in need of a horse to till his field. In those days money was scarce and he was praying for God to supply the need. 

One day a man was returning from the cotton gin and stopped and engaged in conversation for a while with Brother Holland. The man mentioned that a horse had broken it's leg at the gin and that they were going to have to shoot it. Brother Holland left in a run toward the gin. 

When Brother Holland arrived breathless at the gin  the gin owner was just about to shoot his horse to get it out of it's misery. Brother Holland stopped the gin owner and asked why he didn't give him the horse, and he would take care of it. The man readily agreed. 

He said the crowd of men around bore witness to what happened next. Brother Holland dropped to his knees and lay hands on the broken leg of the horse. He called the Name of Jesus and reminded Him that He had promised to supply all his needs. The bones of the horses leg were instantly healed, and Brother Holland got up onto the horse and galloped home thanking God for supplying his need. 

As told by the late Rev. C.E. George

#4

It Happened In Pentecost! It Really Did!

About the year 1940 Rev. T.C. Montgomery was conducting an open air meeting in Leachville, Arkansas. There had been a great response, many miraculous healings had taken place and a large number of people had received the Holy Ghost. 

One night a preacher from another denomination stood up during the testimony service and declared that people were being deceived. He said that only twelve people had ever received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Immediately a young man jumped to his feet who had received the Holy Ghost the previous night and shouted with joy, "Thank God I was one of the twelve!"

As told by Rev. C.E. George