Yesterday I left Lakeland, Florida and headed to Port Charlotte at the Florida west coast. My days in Lakeland were awesome and it was an honor and a privilege to be able to share my testimony and serve the Lord at Ignited Church. I am also glad that I got to spend all that time at Ignited Church and get to know pastor Stephen Strader better. He is an awesome man of God and his church is really happening. They pray almost everyday together and yesterday before I left I attended one of the prayer meetings in the morning. That prayer meeting is actually history as it has been happening in that church for over 30 years. Wonderful people on fire for Jesus. If you visit Ignited Church you surely can feel the presence of God there and I have a feeling that the Florida outpouring that broke out there in 2008 just was a taste of something to come.
I am such blessed that youth pastor Holly Strader invited me to speak to the youth as well wednesday night as God has putted the youth on my heart. I dont want any of this young generation growing up walking that same road that I did. I hope and pray that all the young people that I am speaking to will be touched by God and His word and find their right places in His Kingdom. If God can use me He can surely use all these young wonderful people.
I also had a good talk with my brother and friend John who is the hotel manager at Hyatt Place in Lakeland. That is my favorite hotel and I have stayed there every time I have returned to Lakeland since the outpouring in may 2008. John is a wonderful man of God with a big heart. I just feel God has him there for one purpose. To encourage others to have faith in Christ Jesus. Imagine how many people are passing by at a hotel daily. What a great opportunity to share the good news.
I had a wonderful drive the backroads from Lakeland to Port Charlott on the west coast of Florida where I am right now. Last night I hooked up with brother Larry and we spent the night together. Of course we had dinner together and this was most likely the best steak I had since I had a good steak last time :) Steaks are way better over here than at home in Finland. I think the Americans would laugh at our steaks if they came to visit.
Today I am continuing the journey to Port St. Lucie on the east coast and I will be there for the rest of the time I am here in Florida. Coming sunday I will speak at the Finnish Pentecostal Church of Lake Worth in the morning and in the evening. I am excited about returning to this church, last year the same time we had some awesome meetings together with pastor Petri Kosonen.
Stay Blessed!
Pontus
