Olaf Kostol

I am very happy I came into contact with God. Shortly after arriving in Portland, Oregon, I walked by a street meeting and heard the Apostolic Faith people testifying.  

I was very young at that time, but I was discouraged with life and downhearted. For as far back as I could remember I had an empty feeling in my heart and had never felt satisfied. The Spirit of God talked to me through that street meeting. It was something marvelous.

I went to the camp meeting being held, and was saved. I was so happy that night that I almost leapt for joy. It was a new beginning for me. I was almost afraid it would not last, but the next morning when I woke up, it was still there.

Two years after I was saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost, God called me to tell about this wonderful Gospel. In 1913, I went to Stavanger, Norway. Edvard and Ida Lind had gone the year before and were holding evangelistic services. I went with David Grov and some other Norwegian ministers. We experienced much opposition to the preaching of the fullness of the Gospel. However, nothing could quench the revival fires and many were saved, sanctified, and baptized with the Holy Ghost.

I have gone through many hard places, but the power and grace of God have kept me. This Gospel is real and powerful. It is not something that only starts, but it keeps on. And there is a finish to it more beautiful than the start. That is what I am looking for.

Olaf Kostal was the first District Overseer of our Scandinavian churches and held that position until he passed away in 1956.