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Soulwinner’s Boot Camp 2007 August 27, 2007 Interviewed by Liz Gossom
I’d like to introduce to you two ladies who would never stand out in a crowd—they are my close friends, Julie Clark and Denise Eggleston. Lovely ladies in their mid-thirties, kindergarten Sunday school teachers, choir members, they’re rather normal as far as small town Apostolics go, but now they’re also soul winners on fire. And completely out of the ordinary.
Julie (left) has lived for God for over seven years as a single mother of three teenagers, and Denise has been serving the Lord for over 10 years with her husband and three sons.
In our small-but-growing church in Hebron, Kentucky, they played a vital fundraising role in the weeks leading up to the most successful outreach revival we have ever seen with Bro. Tim Downs. Julie had a tiny little grill, a tiny little table, and a big vision for selling hot dogs and asking for donations. Through her organization and burden, the church raised over $11,000 to be able to host the revival in June 2007, and a repeat during the first weekend in August 2007.
Because of their faithfulness, they were able to attend the Soulwinner’s Boot Camp 2007 (SWBC) in St Petersburg, Florida, July 5-8, 2007, hosted by Pastor Matt Maddix. At least 120 people were filled with the Holy Ghost, and 198 were baptized in Jesus name.
Julie and Denise came home full of the Spirit, bold, and unafraid to do whatever it takes to win souls. As Julie and Denise told me about their experiences, the tears running down their faces told the story much more poignantly of the desire that has been reborn.
This interview took place in August, 2007. --------
Liz: What were you expecting when you found out you were going to SWBC? Julie: To find a new method of soul winning. Denise: I was expecting to have a change in boldness toward doing the work of God. Being a shy person, it’s harder for me to get out there and start talking to people.
Liz: One of the things that shocked you was that there were all levels of Apostolics there, from teens to adults, new converts to preachers. Tell me about that. Julie: It was nice to see 750 people there in one accord, having a desire to reach people going to hell, and eager to bring home resources. There were people from overseas, all over the United States. We met a lot of really great people. I got four proposals of marriage (laughter). But I’m still single! Denise: Seeing the unity of people who love God, not only willing to go, but took their personal finances to be a part of this. They wanted to be like the book of Acts church, and really wanted to do what Jesus taught the disciples. That’s what the church is about; doing what God wants them to do.
Liz: What single experience stands out to you the most? Julie: Watching the church get outside the church. Walking down the streets shouting and singing into bullhorns. Imagine what it looked like to the world, a herd of unified Apostolics facing hell for these people. At 2:38 a.m., Bro Maddix preached to the sinners “… your life can be better. These Apostolics in front of you came from where you are!” People coming out from the bars looking at us like we were crazy! It will give you a reality of what’s out there. Denise: The night we went to Y-Bor on a Saturday night. Every walk of life—street corners, drug dealers, vomiting drunkards—looking at these Apostolics saying “What do these people have? I want it!” Two people prayed through to the Holy Ghost in front of us.
Liz: What would you say to a person who thinks SWBC is a waste of time and resources? Julie: IN YOUR FACE DEVIL! Bro. Maddix is full of compassion, and made you put your money where your mouth is with soul winning. Boot camp was the most exciting and life-changing experience I have ever encountered. The way God touched and changed lives moved my heart to desire to be a better soul winner. To have more compassion for the lost. To be Christ-like! Denise: Well . . . I don’t even know, there’s so many things I want to say, but this is what God’s Word instructed us to do. Until you’ve been there to see what God is doing, then you are missing out! You need a revelation. You need to show the love of Christ in action.
Liz: Will you go back next year? Julie: Yes! (big smile) I encourage you to attend SWBC 2008. It will change your life. Denise: Yes! If our pastor agrees with everything, we will be there.
Liz: Do you feel like SWBC has equipped you to reach your community? Julie: Definitely! I’m changed. We went there with the mentality that no matter what happened, we were bringing it back. Denise: It gave me the hunger that I didn’t realize was there, seeing the homeless; seeing that they were so happy that someone cared enough to give socks and plates of food to them.
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, Liz Gossom
--------- Liz Gossom blogs about her new life as a newlywed stepmother with a baby on the way.
Note: For our report on the Soulwinning Boot Camp 2006, click here. |
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