I am now back at home together with my family in Finland and all I can say right now is that the time after Daytona Bike Week 2012 in Florida became an awesome time that I never will forget.
The Capitol of Southern Rock
As I told you last time I wrote I was in Jacksonville, Florida for a couple of days. I got a chance to hook up with my old friend Dave Hlubek and his friend Matt and they took me out on a grand tour of the capitol of Southern Rock. I got to see the place where the old black man sat and played his dobro from where the song "The Ballad of Curtis Loew" was born. Got to see the house Lacey Van Zant build, where Ronnie and Johnny Van Zant grew up. We went to the funeral home where Ronnie Van Zant, Steve and Cassie Gaines were berried. Ronnies body was moved a few years ago since someone broke in to the grave and tried to steal everything. The monument is still there and it was a pleasure to see this place. On my way down to Treasure Coast I drove by the Ronnie Van Zant Park and I got to see that as well. All these places were places I only have dreamed about to see before, now my dreams became true.
Revival at Treasure Coast
From Jacksonville I spent around four hours on the road down to Stuart, Florida where I checked in at the Extended Stay Motel. I stayed there before so I knew what to expect. It is not a bad place at all, just that the room is a bit small. The price is good and if you stay in Stuart I can recommend this place as it is very good for the price you pay. I did not go there to lay in my room all the time. I thought I was going to have a couple of days off but that did not happen.
On thursday me and Garry drove up to Fort Pierce to meet up with Pastor Todd and his crew. We met over lunch before we visited their church, Common Ground Vineyard Church. Again I was surprised about the church, not only the size but the work they do at Common Ground just blew my mind away. They are really taking God's word serious and they are reaching the lost. Fort Pierce is not necessary the nicest hoods in Florida and there is lots of drugs, prostitution and criminality. These people goes out to reach the lost and the word of God says that of the fruit we shall know the tree. I really smelled some fresh fruit in this church and I was just amazed to listen to what they do.
I heard that they had a celebrate recovery meeting friday and I told them that I would like to give my testimony. Brother Bill Merkel did a couple of phone calls and it was all set for friday night. I did not know what to expect but I gave my testimony and I was unsure about giving an altar call or not. I decided to follow the inner voice and did so. Nine people came up and some of them received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. It was a wonderful night and I can not describe what I felt with any words. The presence of Jesus was there and that is all that counts. There is nothing I can do in my own power or strength.
Saturday we visited another church and I immediately smelled something familiar in the air. I realized that it was something similar with what I experienced in Lakeland back in 2008 and I shared a word to the congregation. I pray and hope they can manage to steward the fire they got in a right direction with their eyes on Jesus. There were things that bothered me but that could also just be my own thoughts so I am not going to say more about that. God meets the hungry hearts, thats what counts.
Sunday I was invited to speak at two meetings at Common Ground Vineyard Church and the first one at 8:30 am was a Biker Chapel. I have to confess that I was a bit sceptic about getting any Bikers in that early on a Sunday morning but again I was wrong. Around 300 people showed up and we had an awesome meeting. Two nurses declared that it is a miracle that I am alive. The second meeting was their ordinary Sunday service and another 300 people showed up and again we had a great time. To me this was a breakthrough as I had my old friend and brother Garry with me on the stage and he did an awesome work together with me. We testified together and we played together. I am sure this was a beginning of a new era of our relationship.
Sunday night we just went to church as visitors. We visited the church where Garry had been saved 20 years ago. It was Central Assembly of God in Vero Beach. The service was awesome and I could tell this was a great church. After the meeting we got to sit down with Pastor Buddy Tipton at his office and they are very few men of God like him who gives their time to people like me. We set up a time for an interview on tuesday and returned then. I am such honored to be invited to speak at Central Assembly of God later this year, on November 18th. Pastor Tipton is a man of God and he gave a good interview for my upcoming tv-show "Life in Him".
Life in Him
Life in Him, is the title of the upcoming tv-show that I am working on. During the days in Florida I got lots of footage and interviews with people who have powerful testimonies. My idea with the program is that people shall see that Jesus is alive and that HE is still saving souls, healing people and setting people free. For a person who is not yet a believer it is easier to listen to a person of this time who have met Jesus. Thats where the seed is planted and after a while this person will realize that the Bible is true. I am so excited about this program and if everything goes as planned we are starting to broadcast it in September this year.
I met up with a man I met before and did a episode on him too. It was brother Smokey who have been standing in the same street corner for ten years preaching the Gospel. Before that he stood in another corner for ten years. He has an awesome testimony and story. I also did other interviews and it all went really smooth. Again I had my brother Garry Nutt with me who helped me out and I can tell we are a good team.
I can easily say that this time in the USA was the best so far. God opened many doors and I will be back in November, starting off at the Lonestar Rally in Galveston, Texas and ending in Florida. This time it will be a five week mission trip and all the pieces are coming together. Jesus is on board!
Easter in Sölvesborg
I am only home for a couple of days. On wednesday I am flying out again and I am very hungry. I have been giving out lots during the weeks in USA. Now it is time to go and get some. For the fourth time I am visiting Folkkyrkan in Sölvesborg that is part of Pastor Tommy Liljas ministries. This church is one of a kind and I have never been disappointed. On friday night I will serve together with Pastor Tommy but other than that I will just be in the presence of Jesus filling myself up before a busy summer. More later!
Love You All!
Pontus
Frank Mangs Center are standing behind me as an organization and together we have decided that it is not wise to stand outside the open doors just because there are not enough money to walk through those doors.
Frank Mangs Center have opened up a new account for this ministry and we are now looking for people who would like to partner with us monthly. At least I would ask you all to pray for our work and for the harvest of 2012. You can read more about being a partner in finnish or swedish by clicking HERE.
