Looking Back To When It All Began - Part 1

         It was some 20 years ago that I knew in my spirit that God was calling me away from my home, family,  the community in which I was born, as well as where my children were born.  As we have recently celebrated 18 years as Senior Pastor of Verdunville Church of God, I want to share with you some of my life.

        God had blessed me and my family to be used in ministry in the United Methodist Church.  You see, after accepting Christ as our Savior, my wife and I became actively involved in our local church, doing whatever it took to help. We participated in cleaning the church, assisting and directing dramas at Christmas and Easter, and working in whatever area needed help. I was blessed to have excellent training as a layman in the United Methodist Church. I still remember my first sermon. It was about the 3 Hebrew Children going through the fiery furnace.

        The United Methodist Church gave me great training for what lay ahead for us; little did we know God had other plans for us. I was very privileged to sit under one of the most humble men I have ever known, my pastor at that time, Rev. Rex Ball.  Brother Ball gave me much sound advice,  introduced me to praying in public, and joining often in intercessory prayer. I have fond memories of those days. Praying out loud was new for me as I had been raised in the First Christian Church as a child and they pray quietly.

        Again, I must look  back for a moment at my childhood.   I remember my first Sunday School Teacher.  Her name was  Nadine O’Donnell and  she left such an impression on me as a tot sitting in those most famous Sunday School chairs in that tiny room in the basement in Crystal, West Virginia.

        Things have changed a lot over the years.  We did not have an automobile when I grew up. A van or bus ministry to take you to church was unheard of! We had to walk approximately 2 miles one way to Sunday School.

        As I began to seek the Lord for direction  in my life, I soon realized that there was something different going on in my life.  I was no longer just satisfied to go to church. I wanted to do something outside the church, so I was introduced to a life of prayer and fasting by several men that I worked with in the coal mines in Mercer County for Consolidation Coal company. These men attended the Weyanoke Church of God, and the Pentecostal Holiness Church at Crane Creek, West Virginia.

        As I begin to seek the lord,  I found myself getting a  hunger to know him in a more intimate way.  I would pray during my lunch period at work. Then,  in the evenings I would make a trip up in the mountains to pray.  I can remember how steep the mountain was.  With my gun in hand and my dog by my side,  I would pretend to go hunting…. It was on a ridge in Bramwell, WV near Pinnacle Rock State Park where I would find my calling kneeling beside an old rotten tree stump. I think of those times often. The Holy Ghost would come upon me and I remember looking down the valley.  Now, I realize God was preparing me for a work here in Logan County.

       Next week I will share my humble beginnings more in detail.  I pray that sharing my life and beginning will encourage you today,

Blessings!

Bishop Michael C. Hartwell, Senior Pastor

Verdunville Church of God