Expert: Elder Greg Madden - 8/2/2008

Question
Dear Elder Madden,

I had an experience 29 years ago that completely changed my life.  I found Jesus and allowed him into my heart as I soberly and with great humility repented (to the fullest sense of the word) and was baptised in a babtist church.

I was told through a dream state by our Holy Saviour, Jesus: "There are those who will believe, those who will not believe and those who will deceive. Do not try to prove or disprove this manisfestation." You will take the Word of Salvation to the world in the name of Jesus Christ through the words uttered by the Holy Spirit through you. You are merely the empty vessel housing the Word of God who will lead your thoughts and guide you into giving testamony and enlightenment to those who are lost. You will be handed the keys that unlock the world...wait in the Lord."

There were three, separate dreams over a period of days then they ended.  There is much more to this but I don't wish to take up your valuable time writing a book.

About 10 years ago I had another ( single dream) where Christ came to me and told me, "the time grows near, be patient and continue to wait in the Lord.  The Keys will be available and more will be revealed to you as to how you will serve the Lord. Stay patient and presevere. Study the Word that you will be prepared.  You will start as an Evangelist within and outside your local Body of Christ. As you mature more, the Holy Spirit will make it known to you when you are ready to use the two-edged sword and preach the True Word that grants eternal life to those who grasp it and allow their Saviour in.  Sincere repentance and acceptance to serve the Lord is necessary for true salvation.  The Babtism in the Holy Spirit will feed the fire that shall open the gates of my soldiers already in the field of battle against evil and lead the non-believer into the arms of He who died for all the sins of this world.

A few weeks ago, Christ again appeared to me in a dream.  These dreams, when they happen, are so real that you can smell, see in color and everything seems more real than in a state of wakefullness.  When I looked into my Saviour's eyes, I just couldn't help crying in my dreams...I just can't describe in words the undescribable depth which shows extreme pain for us and the tear he shed each time he came to me in these series of dreams spanning 29 years it is always the same.  I just feel so undeserving of my salvation but so very, very thankful that God in his infinite mercy made Himself flesh and dwelt as a man, a little lower for a time than the angels...to suffer for all of our sins when John babtised him and his wonderous but heart-wrenching sacrifice on the cross at Calvary.

The focus of this missive is that I am called in all ways to the service of the Lord and I am not being nurished in any church that I have visited and a few I joined during that 29 year period.  I never mentioned my calling because, in reality, I had not been "called" during those years.  Just a few weeks ago was it official when Jesus stated that the time has come for me to go and teach the word of Salvation into the world.  I was told that the Keys to open myself to the world did not exist when he first came to me but that today the fruit was ripe for the harvest.  My time has come ; however, there is trepidation as to what will become my "true church".

After looking at most every church that states they are teaching the true word of God, the only one that makes any complete sense to me is the AOG.

Finally, my question:  Being 62 years old now, will the AOG consider me after an acceptable period of time to be licensed and after I take some training (hopefully an online college) as I live in a very small community and educational opportunities are in short supply close by.  I was searching for such a college that would meet the ordination qualifications and found a site that had an article of you asking about Trinity College.  Then I looked up your web site and here I am.  

Any help that you can give me would be greatly appreciated and I will pray tonight and every night for your ministry to produce the fruits that The Holy Spirit within you is driving you to bring about.  The Assembly of God churches going back to their basics and letting the Holy Ghost lead the gathering and not the clock. I found a very small ( isn't it interesting how the smaller bodies of Christ seem to be more enlightened than some of the large and beautiful works of archectural perfection?  I really can't understand why that seems to be but it appears that way to me.

Dear Father God, thank you for allowing me to find Greg Madden while doing a web search for an online college that would be accepted by the AOG.  I thank you for the opportunity to "pick his brain" and to learn to do what you have called me to do.  Please bless his ministry and cause it to create a NEW revival that will put the spark that ignites the flame of AOG pastors everywhere and allow the Holy Spirit to, once again, lead the preaching and teaching within the church.  In the name of our dear precious Saviour, Jesus the Nazarene, Your only begotten Son in which you are pleased...Amen

Answer
Bro Zach,

God bless you my brother in Christ! I was so thrilled to read your testimony, and all the wonderful thing God is ding in and through you. I want to encourage you to stay in tone with the Holy Spirit at all times. I pray that the blessings of the Lord Jesus over shadow you, and that the calling He has placed upon your life would bear much fruit for His glory!

Before I answer your question, I want to be very clear with you. Though I am a volunteer in the "Assembly of God" section, I am not a member of the AoG. I am very familiar with it's teaches, doctrines, and how they function, but I ma not AoG. Here is a link to our ministry site, and to our home church that will help you learn more about us...

http://www.harvestnorman.com/

http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1

Now to your questions...

First, it is my understanding that age is not an issue to one's calling. God is the one Who calls us, not man. there are many examples in Scriptures of people being called and used of God there were older, and some younger.

Second, if your do feel that God is leading you to the Aog, then I say by all means do so. But please understand that God is not limited to the Aog. God is where ever He desires to be.

Third, here is a link to the AoG site that gives allot more detail as to their requirements or ordination...

http://www.ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_0821_ordination.cfm

Fourth, I am not familiar with an on-line college that meets the AoG requirements. For myself, I am enrolled in the Ames online college. Here is their site if you are interested...

http://www.amesbible.org/

Finally, I suggest that you contact the local AoG presbyter, and or pastor and share with them you calling and desire. Perhaps speaking with a person "face-to-face" would be more helpfull.

Once again Zach, I praise God for your calling and all that the Lord is doing in your life. Please stay in touch. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.

God Bless!

Elder Greg Madden
http://www.forministry.com/USOKPENTEMMM1