The Giftby Rena Blake Dillman

Power, comfort, wisdom, strength, compassion, love, deliverance, healing, protection, conviction, joy, discernment.  These words, these feelings come to my mind as I think about the difference The Holy Ghost has made in my life.

I received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost July 27, l984 in a revival meeting with Reverend Charles Wilks in North Vernon, Indiana.  He had preached on the rapture of the church, and I had never seen or heard anything quite like it.  Reluctantly I attended this service due to a series of events in my own life suggesting a need for a change.

Reverend Tony Carson was the pastor of the church, and I had met him and his wife Martha in December of l983 when they visited the Gold Nugget Pawn Shop. They had seen an ad in the newspaper advertising snow skis.  I had recently opened a retail art business and painting studio in the rear of the store.  During the week I taught several art classes and sold supplies and crafts.  A large wall featured several of my paintings for sale.  I was working in the retail section of my shop when noticing them looking at the paintings. They asked if I had done the paintings.  We starting talking, and I noticed their matching jackets which had “Apostolic Christian Academy” on the back.  They explained that it was a Christian school that was part of their church.  We continued to talk about art, and they signed up for art classes before leaving.  The feeling I had while talking to them, of wanting to cry but not knowing why, was one that would change my life forever.  The Holy Ghost was at work!

In a couple of weeks Martha Carson came to painting class.   While walking over to the Heritage House Restaurant we shared about our families.  I informed her of some health problems and my impending surgery and asked for prayer.  I really felt at ease talking to her, and she seemed to genuinely care.  She continued to come to classes, and Reverend Carson came for a class taught by another teacher, Debbie Hatton.   While completing some paper work during Debbie’s class one day, he invited me to their church the following Sunday.  I told him I would if physically able.  At this point I was very ill and surgery was only a few days away.  I was very fearful and uncertain of the outcome.  I had been in church my whole life and trusted God; however, I had felt for a long time there was something missing - a void.   I didn’t know what it was nor how to fill it.  I had even counseled with my pastor.  Now The Holy Ghost was really at work.

The pawnshop owner’s wife Alta and I had many discussions about church and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.   As I was leaving the next day, she asked how I was feeling and the exact time of my surgery and if I had been anointed and prayed for.  I didn’t know anyone who provided such a service.  Suddenly I remembered Reverend Carson - the Apostolic preacher.  I mentioned the invitation.

When Sunday rolled around, I was really nervous about going to an unfamiliar church and had no idea what to expect.  We headed for the nearby town of North Vernon which took 45 minutes instead of 30 minutes as we thought.  As soon as we pulled into the church parking lot and got out of the car, we could hear the music playing from inside the church.  I felt a little faint and asked the Lord, “What have I gotten myself into?”  It took all my courage to walk into that building.  To make matters even worse, when we walked in, the people were all up walking around with this loud music playing.  They were greeting one another, but I had never seen people walking around so much.  I panicked!  I had no idea what to do or where to sit.  Reverend Carson saw us and came down and found us seats.  I was petrified – questioning why I had put us into this situation.  After everyone sat down the atmosphere changed.  I can still remember that service, as it will forever be an indelible image in my mind.  “Thanks to Calvary” was the special, and several people testified.  My husband and I sat there and cried with tears flowing down our faces.  I didn’t know why I was crying, but I couldn’t stop.  The Holy Ghost was at work.

People were moving up to the altar and forming a line across the front of the church.  Initially I didn’t know it was a prayer line.   I wanted to be prayed for but couldn’t make my body move from the chair.  My friend punched me and said, “Rena go up there.”  I just couldn’t go by myself.  She took my hand and led me to the altar.  Reverend Carson placed oil on my forehead and prayed a prayer for healing.  I felt warmth permeate my body, especially in my mid section.  I was overwhelmed with peace while returning to my seat and cried through most of the service.  From the first moment of entering the building I felt the tangible presence of God.  This was the first time I had truly felt The Holy Ghost at work in my own life.

I had the surgery and everything went exceptionally well other than being informed I needed three units of blood.  Even though I was a nurse and certainly believed in blood transfusions, I felt deep in my heart God was intervening for reasons unknown.  I asked several people to pray that my blood count would come up on its own.  The Lord worked a miracle.  My blood count improved without the transfusion.   The Holy Ghost was definitely at work.

I spent four days in the hospital.  During that time, I was overwhelmed with joy and thanksgiving for what God had done.  I lifted my hands in praise because it felt right.  Reverend Carson visited and asked me to share my testimony in their church.  Of course I did and then attended a few more times.  I was very torn between my old church and this new church experience.

My brother Ron, who had an alcohol problem, was going through tremendous problems in his life.  He was living with our parents after losing his family through divorce.  My parents were unable to cope with his depression and sorrow.  My mother called to ask for my help.  Reverend Carson came to my mind.   I called him, and he said he would be glad to talk to him.  They were having revival services.

In a few hours after dropping him off at the church, I received a phone call from Ron.  He excitedly told me he was going to be baptized in the name of Jesus that night and requested my presence for this momentous occasion.   I called a friend and asked her if she would go.  While walking into that service, I felt such a presence of God that the hair on my body stood straight up.  Reverend Wilks was like no other preacher I had ever heard.  He preached on the rapture, and I thought and felt like I was going to be right there.  At the end of the service, my brother went forward for prayer and then to prepare for baptism.  Reverend Carson motioned for me to come forward.  While standing there, I watched and heard my brother receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost and then speak in tongues while lifted from the water.  Reverend Wilks leaned over and said, “ I can tell by your face you would like to receive the Holy Ghost like your brother.”  I nodded my head.  He laid his hand on my head, and I too received the baptism of the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues.  From that moment, I could no longer deny the void which I had felt for so long was now filled.  Ron and I received a precious gift, the most precious gift of the Holy Ghost.  John 3:8 states - “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”

I’ve written this account of receiving the Holy Ghost for my children and grandchildren so they might know and share the most wonderful experience of my life. For you see it has changed me; it has made me who I am today. The mother and grandmother you know is most definitely not the same person I use to be. The old me doesn’t live here anymore. It is my prayer and always will be that you too receive this gift of the Holy Ghost according to Acts 2:38-39. Then Peter said unto them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Praise God!!

Rena Blake Dillman (revised June 2005)