GEORGE HENRY

STAR Writer

Name: Michael Grant

Church you attend: Assembly of God, Old Harbour St Catherine.

Position in the Church: Pastor, chairman for the Assemblies of God Bible College in Christiana, and General Superintendent for the Assemblies of God organisation in Jamaica.

How long since being saved: I have been saved for 32 years.

Tell us about your moment of conviction: My conviction came about at a tent crusade in the district of Summerfield in Clarendon in April 1983. I attended this meeting only to give some trouble; and heard the Gospel message. A friend of mine told me that both of us should just attempt as if we were going to the altar; but thereafter we should just make some noise and run out of the tent. We started to move towards the altar; he made his noise and went back, but I found myself kept on going. I went to the altar and I felt convicted. I told myself that it was time for a change.

Most challenging moment since being saved: At the very beginning it had to do with having the basic stuff just to wear to church; also growing up without a father. I had six brothers and it was just my mother around to care for us. Things were very difficult, and I was tempted from time to time to seek jobs away from my church home, where I would not have the support of my church. That was a temptation which I had to resist time and time again, mainly because I felt then that if I had got a job outside of my area, I would not have had my church family around me to give me the support needed for me to keep on going for the Lord. That was quite tough in the early stages. Outside of that, I had to look at the day to day temptations which I encountered and had to overcome.

Most miraculous moments since being saved: The way I got to Bible college without any financial support from my family was quite miraculous. The finances which were required then could not have come from my church, could not have come from my family. I remember during my final year in Bible College, somebody came by just to tell me that all my bills had been paid. To date I don't know who did it. It was covered.

Message to Christians: We have to remain focused. There are a whole lot of negative things that are being said about Christians and Christianity, but our focus must be on God. In spite of everything, we need to remind ourselves as to who calls us and who we are serving. Just remain focused.

Message to non-Christians: You need to seek a friend before you need a friend. A lot of non-Christians believe that the only time that they need to draw near to God is when something negative has happened to them. My message to you is let us not use God like how we would use our friends, which is to say, the only time I need you is when I need something from you.

You need to turn to Him even before we feel as if we need Him or need something from Him. The purpose for us being created is to serve God. Solomon tells us in the Word that the whole duty of man is to fear God and to keep His commandments.

Favourite Bible scripture: Jeremiah 1:5

A line from one of your favourite songs: We are going up we going up together.

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