Greetings to
you all in the Mighty Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. My
name is Victor and I'm the Maranatha Web Site's host. The
site is based in England, in the county of West Yorkshire.
I'm sure many who access this web site would like to know something of my background. As a young boy I was brought up in the Ukraine Orthodox Church. Yes, I was sprinkled with water as a baby, attended communion class and had first communion and so was confirmed by the Church. Despite all this and the fact that I knew there was a God and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, died on a cross and rose again I was not 'Born Again' by the Spirit of God, I was not Saved. I didn't even know that I needed to be Saved. However, God's Love and Grace was towards me and would later in life bring me word of his wonderful salvation, by a servant of His.
It was not until the age of 18 at work, were a supervisor called Lawrence brought to me the Gospel and told me about the Salvation of God. On one particular day at work he ask me the question: "Do you want to receive Christ?" I said "Yes!" and that I would do so by myself that night. That evening, (21st May 1974) when I was alone, I knelt beside my bed and prayed to God and received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Even though I did not feel any different at the time, Jesus was my Saviour and God saw in me that small grain of Faith that enabled me to believe.
Brother Lawrence then invited me to attend a sunday evening service at his local Church: 'Bramley Pentecostal Church'. I accepted the invitation and came to the meeting. We sang hymns, the pastor 'Peter Cunningham' preached and at the end of the meeting made an appeal for any one wanted to receive Jesus Christ, or dedicate themself to God. As he made the appeal the strong presence of God came upon me and convicted my heart and I knew I had to stand up from my seat and openly show that I had received Jesus Christ. I could feel my body trembling with the presence and conviction of God and I stood up from my seat to be counted and numbered with the Saints. I left that meeting absolutely transformed by the power of God, Born Again by His Spirit, I was a new creature in Christ Jesus. I prayed fervently and continually on the bus home for God's help. My mum noticed the difference in me and even asked me if I was on drugs. God had given me the real joy of His Salvation and had made His home in my heart and life.
The following year I was baptized by total immersion in water at the Bramley Church (30th November 1975) and earlier that year (8th August 1975) I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I was on holiday at a Christian Camp in Bosul, a small country village in Derbyshire and there was to be a meeting on friday morning for those who wanted to seek God to receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. That thursday evening, sitting in a chair in the Tabernacle, I sought God that I might receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Friday morning came and a group of us were seeking God in a small wooden hut. The pastor worked his way round, laying his hands on each of us and in turn prayed that we might receive. As he laid his hands on me and prayed, I was filled with the Holy Ghost, my body was trembling under the power of God and I spoke with tongues. Thank God for His precious Gift.
The following year (August 1976) I was serving the Lord at the Christian Camp in Bonsul, where one particular night I received a dream from God and in the dream a pot was shown with the skull and cross-bones on it. I wonder what the dream ment and sought God. Within a few days of the dream I received a telephone call from my brother, informing me that my dad was critically ill in hospital as a result of a heart attack. I knew then what the dream ment, that my dad was going to die. I prayed to God not to let him die before I had the opportunity to reach him with the Gospel. The pastor 'Peter Cunningham' gave me a lift back and I arrived home late that night. I got up early the next morning and went to the Hospital and entered the ward my dad was in. It was out of visiting hours and the nurse was reluctant to let me see him, but agreed that I could have five minutes with him. There were curtains around his bed and I entered and pulled up a chair. I looked upon my dad, his eyes were closed, and a mask was over his mouth to provide additional oxygen and electrodes was attached to his chest. The monitor was showing his heart beat and bleeping accordingly. I wondered how I was going to reach him with the Gospel and then suddenly his eyes popped wide open. I said to him: "Dad, you know if you should die without Christ you will go to Hell, but if you receive Christ you will go to Heaven". As he was too ill to speak, I took hold of his left hand and said: "Do you want to receive Christ?, If you do squeeze my hand". He squeezed my hand indicating that he wanted to receive Jesus Christ. I said: "Pray with me" and as I prayed, I could see his lips moving as he received Jesus Christ as his Saviour. I then said to him: "Because you have received Christ you will go to Heaven". Even though he was in much pain, I could see the joy on his face. That moment the nurse returned and said I would have to leave and I left. Within half an hour of leaving the hospital, my dad had passed away and was with the Lord Jesus Christ.
I attended the Assemblies of God Bible College for three years and on the 25th June 1983 was awarded their Advance Diploma in Theology. On leaving the college I was to take up an assistant pastorate position in Grimsby, but God closed the door. Through circumstances, God separated me from the Assemblies of God Church and have not been attached to any denominational Church since. The only Church I belong to now is the Church of Jesus Christ, a member of his body, with Christ as the Head, the Church which all those in Christ, the Elect belong to. God has never left me and has kept me by His power, His Grace and His Love. Had God not separated me, I would have been lost, for most if not all the denominational Church's are in effect asleep, they are not ready or even aware how near we are to the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Bridegroom is about to come and the Bride is not yet ready. I intend to be ready to meet my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and see Him face to face. I pray that you too will be ready to meet Him. Maranatha!
Victor
I'm sure many who access this web site would like to know something of my background. As a young boy I was brought up in the Ukraine Orthodox Church. Yes, I was sprinkled with water as a baby, attended communion class and had first communion and so was confirmed by the Church. Despite all this and the fact that I knew there was a God and that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, died on a cross and rose again I was not 'Born Again' by the Spirit of God, I was not Saved. I didn't even know that I needed to be Saved. However, God's Love and Grace was towards me and would later in life bring me word of his wonderful salvation, by a servant of His.
It was not until the age of 18 at work, were a supervisor called Lawrence brought to me the Gospel and told me about the Salvation of God. On one particular day at work he ask me the question: "Do you want to receive Christ?" I said "Yes!" and that I would do so by myself that night. That evening, (21st May 1974) when I was alone, I knelt beside my bed and prayed to God and received Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. Even though I did not feel any different at the time, Jesus was my Saviour and God saw in me that small grain of Faith that enabled me to believe.
Brother Lawrence then invited me to attend a sunday evening service at his local Church: 'Bramley Pentecostal Church'. I accepted the invitation and came to the meeting. We sang hymns, the pastor 'Peter Cunningham' preached and at the end of the meeting made an appeal for any one wanted to receive Jesus Christ, or dedicate themself to God. As he made the appeal the strong presence of God came upon me and convicted my heart and I knew I had to stand up from my seat and openly show that I had received Jesus Christ. I could feel my body trembling with the presence and conviction of God and I stood up from my seat to be counted and numbered with the Saints. I left that meeting absolutely transformed by the power of God, Born Again by His Spirit, I was a new creature in Christ Jesus. I prayed fervently and continually on the bus home for God's help. My mum noticed the difference in me and even asked me if I was on drugs. God had given me the real joy of His Salvation and had made His home in my heart and life.
The following year I was baptized by total immersion in water at the Bramley Church (30th November 1975) and earlier that year (8th August 1975) I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. I was on holiday at a Christian Camp in Bosul, a small country village in Derbyshire and there was to be a meeting on friday morning for those who wanted to seek God to receive the Baptism in the Holy Ghost. That thursday evening, sitting in a chair in the Tabernacle, I sought God that I might receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Friday morning came and a group of us were seeking God in a small wooden hut. The pastor worked his way round, laying his hands on each of us and in turn prayed that we might receive. As he laid his hands on me and prayed, I was filled with the Holy Ghost, my body was trembling under the power of God and I spoke with tongues. Thank God for His precious Gift.
The following year (August 1976) I was serving the Lord at the Christian Camp in Bonsul, where one particular night I received a dream from God and in the dream a pot was shown with the skull and cross-bones on it. I wonder what the dream ment and sought God. Within a few days of the dream I received a telephone call from my brother, informing me that my dad was critically ill in hospital as a result of a heart attack. I knew then what the dream ment, that my dad was going to die. I prayed to God not to let him die before I had the opportunity to reach him with the Gospel. The pastor 'Peter Cunningham' gave me a lift back and I arrived home late that night. I got up early the next morning and went to the Hospital and entered the ward my dad was in. It was out of visiting hours and the nurse was reluctant to let me see him, but agreed that I could have five minutes with him. There were curtains around his bed and I entered and pulled up a chair. I looked upon my dad, his eyes were closed, and a mask was over his mouth to provide additional oxygen and electrodes was attached to his chest. The monitor was showing his heart beat and bleeping accordingly. I wondered how I was going to reach him with the Gospel and then suddenly his eyes popped wide open. I said to him: "Dad, you know if you should die without Christ you will go to Hell, but if you receive Christ you will go to Heaven". As he was too ill to speak, I took hold of his left hand and said: "Do you want to receive Christ?, If you do squeeze my hand". He squeezed my hand indicating that he wanted to receive Jesus Christ. I said: "Pray with me" and as I prayed, I could see his lips moving as he received Jesus Christ as his Saviour. I then said to him: "Because you have received Christ you will go to Heaven". Even though he was in much pain, I could see the joy on his face. That moment the nurse returned and said I would have to leave and I left. Within half an hour of leaving the hospital, my dad had passed away and was with the Lord Jesus Christ.
I attended the Assemblies of God Bible College for three years and on the 25th June 1983 was awarded their Advance Diploma in Theology. On leaving the college I was to take up an assistant pastorate position in Grimsby, but God closed the door. Through circumstances, God separated me from the Assemblies of God Church and have not been attached to any denominational Church since. The only Church I belong to now is the Church of Jesus Christ, a member of his body, with Christ as the Head, the Church which all those in Christ, the Elect belong to. God has never left me and has kept me by His power, His Grace and His Love. Had God not separated me, I would have been lost, for most if not all the denominational Church's are in effect asleep, they are not ready or even aware how near we are to the return of Jesus Christ as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Bridegroom is about to come and the Bride is not yet ready. I intend to be ready to meet my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and see Him face to face. I pray that you too will be ready to meet Him. Maranatha!
Victor