Personal Testimony

In my late teens I knew I needed more of God and I hungered for His presence. I pounded the pavement of Toronto, mile after mile, month after month, until Easter of my twenty-second year when I received the glorious Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Immediately following this I was lead to work with George Verwer in Operation Mobilization in Europe—giving leadership in the summer of 1963 and 1964 in the south and north of France respectfully. During the winter of 1963-1964, I stayed with a Baptist pastor in the north of France as a student pastor. He was known all over as the "Apostle of the North". Everything he did was "Pentecostal". I saw healings, people receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit in operation in mighty ways.

Upon returning to Toronto in the fall of 1964, a friend gave me a copy of "The Cross and the Switchblade" by David Wilkerson. I ended up as the Director of Evangelism at the Toronto Teen Challenge. It was during this time (Spring 1965) that I made application to Eastern Pentecostal Bible College (now known as Master's College & Seminary). In July 1965, I met Marion, the girl of my dreams (see picture above). We were married Juy 22nd, 1967 and we both graduated together from college in 1968.

Our first church was a pioneer effort in New Carlisle on the Gaspe coasts of Quebec. I was invited to give leadership from January 1971 to January 1976 to the then Quebec Literature Crusade.

Since being baptized in the Holy Spirit Easter week of 1963, I have never once been without a burden for Canada. The vision began to come into forms in 1976 when Marion and I along with our two daughters were lead into a year of evangelism in Eastern Canada. This was followed by a very specific call to become part of the 100 Huntley Street team as Minister of Follow-up across Canada. Having completed the follow-up manual, I sought God's direction and received a call 'out of the blue' to pastor at Pickering Pentecostal Church. The church doubled in two and a half years from 112 on the list to 225.

Next, the Lord opened the door in a most unusual way to come on staff at Queensway Cathedral with Ralph Rutledge as Minister of Pastoral Care. At first, the portfolio was to look after new believers (there were over 300), visitation of the elderly and hospital visitation (we serviced 40 Toronto hospitals) and then continued with many more responsibilities. I began with a list of 1243 people and at one point we had over 2300 contacts.

During 1984, I began to sense a deep burden for Israel - the seed of which was planted in 1978 while at 100 Huntley Street. In September 1985, with the blessing of Queensway Cathedral, we stepped out by faith in ministry across Canada to invite the church of Jesus Christ to pray for the release of the Soviet Jews to return home to Israel. The international Esther Fast involving thousands of people in 73 countries in 1983 continued annually on the 4th, 5th and 6th day of Passover until the airlift campaign began on the fourth day of Passover—April 13th, 1990. Since that time, a full blown ministry of intercession has developed involving over 60 churches and ministries in Israel. This all came out of consultation with Wayne Hilsden of King of Kings Assembly in Jerusalem following his suggestion to join forces in intercession with whoever desired to participate from all denominational backgrounds. We have worked closely together now with Wayne as the vision has unfolded since 1990.

Having visited some 600-plus churches across Canada in the past 23 years, I have been able to share the amazing story of the growth and development of the Body of Christ, our Messiah, in Israel as well as seeing prayer groups established for ongoing intercession for Israel. The heart of this ministry has been the call to preach the Gospel with special emphasis on calling the saints to a personal devotional walk with the Lord Jesus Christ as I teach believers how to walk with the Lord through the Tabernacle from the Outer Court to the Holy of Holies.