by Laura LaBrie
After 15 years in a non-denominational Christian Church, I had a nervous break down. I had served in leadership in teaching and worship ministries, but there was a subtle, insidious spirit of control that invaded every arena of our lives. The control from the leadership in my church brought such bondage that I felt as if I were physically choking. I tried and tried to work everything out but eventually had to leave; and when I did, and only then, I recovered.
My husband and I immediately joined another church body (Assemblies of God) where I again ministered in worship and teaching roles. After the youth pastor left the church, I took over Senior High Youth Group.
For a year we prayed for a move of the Holy Spirit and one evening in May of 2003, in a completely teen led worship service, the Holy Spirit fell. Teens wept openly on their faces, they worshipped with no music and no adult leadership, they rose up one after another and testified of repentance and the Lord's
voice to them and of visions concerning the lost, and they prayed for one another...
I stood in awe as a group of 10 or so teens laid hands on one young man and interceded for him with loud cries and groanings. In the midst of their prayer, the Holy Spirit fell and they ALL were baptized in the Spirit with the manifestation of speaking in tongues!
The next day I heard from the elders and the pastor. We couldn't have such things happening in our church because some might be offended. (This was an AG church! They preach the 'baptism' at
every turn!)
At the following Youth Group, word had spread and more kids showed up than ever before (over 40). They were so hungry for the reality of God's presence, whether they understood it or not. Sadly, they were met with disappointment. The elders took over the service and had the kids sit on the floor and taught them as if they were kindergarteners. They (the elders) felt a "foundation" must be laid before we could move in the things of the Spirit, so they went back to the beginning. They said kids needed to be baptized in water before they could be baptized in the Spirit.
(HELLO!!!)
Youth group quickly became as dry as dry toast and the kids began leaving. I was told to choose one of several selected curriculums and follow it, but I could not follow a book instead of following God.
My heart is broken for these children. Others took over the ministry and followed the leading of the elders. Within a few short months the kids are all gone except the ones whose parents are in youth ministry. The Senior and Junior High groups have merged because there are so few kids left.
Not long after this, the word of the Lord came to me while I was in my garden. "I'm taking you out to bring you in." Over and over the phrase ran through my head. I seemed to make no sense to me. That evening I attended a small group of worshippers not connected with any church. A woman shared her testimony and a song she'd written called "I'm taking you out to take you in"! My jaw nearly hit the floor. The phrase was repeated to me several more times over the following months from various sources. I know the Lord has brought me out of bondage, but I keep asking Him "INTO WHAT?"
I want the freedom to be who I am in Christ. He has been speaking to me in prophecy now for years and I have notebooks full of words from Him all stashed away in a box in the attic. Words of a tidal wave hitting the east coast of the US and words of the need to "cry a river of tears" - words that have been confirmed by other prophets all over the world. But what am I to do?...
I want the move of the Holy Spirit. I love the people of God. I love to fellowship with them. But I desperately need to be in a place where I am on this journey, following wherever He chooses to take
me... to know that God is up to something glorious in the earth.
*Note from Brenda: I so identify with this lady and her experiences, this is what is wrong with leadership in the churches. They do not want to offend anyone.
Jesus offended the Pharisees, Scribes and any who were proud, religious zealots. So did His disciples offend people and got thrown in prison for it, which only improved their ability to witness for Jesus. Let us rather offend man than God!
We need revival like we need air right now so let us pray against these blockages to make way for the Holy Spirit to fall upon our communities and bring many to repentance and victory. To God be the glory!