One of my fondest memories
Fifty years of anything stirs up a lot of memories! For 50 years I’ve had a ringside seat, watching my folks faithfully seek the Lord’s leading with a raw, determined faith to do precisely what He said at any cost. Jesus has always responded with countless miracles of all kinds. What a ride! But for me, going back to the first miracle touches me most deeply; like the first time I heard Dad preach in person. Walking down the aisle at Grace Temple Church, where I had often attended with my grandparents, I noticed the atmosphere seemed to be unusually saturated with expectation. I don’t recall his message, but I do remember leaving hungry for more. At 10 years old, the message of faith had me hooked.
Then, there was my first out-of-town meeting at Life Tabernacle in Shreveport, La., where Brother Jerry Savelle was saved earlier that year. Sitting in a morning service, I first saw Dad operate his faith and authority in the midst of crisis—the first of many times to come. As he was speaking, a nursery worker came rushing in, carrying a screaming, blood-covered baby. Without hesitation he reached out, calmly took the baby in his arms and, with a firm compassion, spoke peace over the child. Immediately, she quit crying and relaxed into sleep. Then, as I recall it, Dad looked up and confidently called upon Jesus for healing. He handed the baby back to the nursery worker and went on with his message. That baby was Terri Savelle Foy, Brother Jerry’s daughter. Later, Brother Jerry came by. I listened intently as Dad gave him instructions on how to pray, stay in faith and refuse to fear because the doctor’s report was that she would lose her fingertips and nails. Brother Jerry left fully expecting a miracle, and a miracle he got! Terri has all her fingers and a full set of lovely nails to go with them!
Watching and listening to Dad that weekend, I recognized a longing to do what he was doing, the way he was doing it. So, sitting in the driveway of that same house, I prayed with Dad and accepted the call to the ministry. What I saw in that meeting, and countless meetings since, was so real and so tangible, that I have never quit watching how Kenneth and Gloria Copeland operate in faith, love, obedience, boldness and integrity. And Jesus always responds! V
Pastor Terri
BVOV : 15
