Holy Silence

I think it happened late in the famous 60s.  The “hippie thing” was blossoming throughout California.  Rev. George Elrod was pastor of First Assembly of God in Chico… home of Chico State University.  First AG was the "classy" church in town. 

Yeah... there was another Assembly of God church in Chico with an elderly widow lady pastor, Sister Lonnie Decker.  Her minister husband had passed away and she was trying to hold a little congregation together, as I recall, meeting in a house.

 

Brother Elrod, now with Jesus, told me that several Chico State University students in “hippie attire” came to visit First Assembly.  I don’t remember if he said they were barefoot or how they were dressed, but obviously not dressed like “First Assembly” folk.  The "Jesus Movement" was sweeping this culture and they were looking for a man named “Jesus.”  

Pastor Elrod told me with sadness and shame that they were not well received.  Certain parents expressed fear of an “undesirable element” that might affect their teenage kids.  The result was that these seekers sensed a feeling of rejection. 

But Sister Lonnie Decker opened her arms to them.  She had only a handful of believers anyway and nothing to lose.  That group, now joined by others, found the powerful Jesus that they had been searching for and a virtual revival broke out.  When I ministered in that church still in that house or perhaps a rented building, they were bursting at the seams with excited youth, while Chico First AG, now under another pastor, seemed parked at status quo.  

The next time I visited Chico about 5 years later these youth were in their own church building.  Sister Decker had retired and Gaylord Enns was now pastor.  I’ll never forget when Frances and I pulled into the parking lot at 5 PM, an hour before the scheduled missionary service as was our custom.  You could hear the roaring sound of prayer coming from the building.  And when we opened the door we found it literally filled with a youthful congregation on their knees seeking God.

Several ministers came out of that special move of God.  I only know a few of them: Bob Kilpatrick (with his inspiring music), Bob Maddux, Chris Howard, Roger Houtsma and *Barry Carroll.  

This morning I was invited to minister with *Barry and Betty Carroll (on right) at Family Christian Center in Dixon, California where several years ago, although he teaches at Capital Bible College, they accepted the challenge of serving as pastors.  The building is small, but well cared for and there was a beautiful congregation.  The atmosphere seemed special to me.  We Pentecostals are famous for our enthusiastic noise.  And I enjoy that kind of service as well.  But in this service there were moments of “holy silence.”  And after the preaching, the response at the altar time saw practically every person, young and old, I think including visitors, kneeling around the front as they opened their hearts to our wonderful Jesus.  Pastor Barry and I passed among them quietly praying for each one.

 

Our God is a God of variety.  He moves in many ways, sometimes amid flag waving, dancing, enthusiastic worship... complete with powerful bursts of “holy praise” and then... sometimes in the stillness of “holy silence.”  What an awesome God we serve!

 

Ralph

P.S.  Check out another of my son, Tim Hiatt's short videos, "The Parable of the Restaurant"

        

The Parable of the Restaurant from Modesto Neighborhood Church on Vimeo.