Ester Green

I am so glad that many years ago a neighbor gave an Apostolic Faith paper to my grandmother. Through that paper our family and many others came into the Gospel.

I was brought up in a good Christian home and taught to read the Bible and to pray. When I was four years old, my parents moved our family to Portland, Oregon, to become a part of the Apostolic Faith work. One of my earliest memories is of the love that was showered on us by the church people just a few months after our arrival when my older brother, David, passed away from diphtheria.

For a time in my life I didn’t want to follow my parents’ example. I made plans to leave that Christian home, but I am thankful the Lord put a stop to my plans. My mother asked the people of God to pray for me, and the Lord began dealing with my heart. I began to realize what the end would be if I continued the way I was going.

About that time, camp meeting had begun at the Apostolic Faith tabernacle. On the first Thursday night, I went to the altar with a purpose in my heart to become a Christian. I told the Lord if He would give me something real that I could live, I would serve Him from then on. He changed my life that very night; He turned me right about-face. I was sixteen years old. The next day my mother said she felt she was working with an angel—the change was so real in my life. During that same camp meeting, I received my sanctification and the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

I worked out in the world for many years, and the Lord kept me. Then in 1961, when I was forty-four, the Lord laid it on my heart to give myself full time to His work. I began working at the Apostolic Faith headquarters. I started by typing addresses in the front office, but was soon moved to the mailing department. What a joy it has been to pray over the literature and then see it go out to all parts of the world! I know that through it others have had the opportunity to hear the same wonderful story that my family heard.

The Lord has been good to me over the years. One morning in 1995, I experienced severe chest pains. I wondered if I would soon be in Heaven and I said, “Lord, I am ready.” I am so thankful that I could call for prayer. My family and the ministers came and prayed for me. There was no fear, but I prayed, “Lord, I still have a job to do. I am willing to stay.” The pain and discomfort continued throughout the day. In the evening, I asked my brother what time it was. He said, “Seven fifteen.” I lay still for several minutes, and then said, “I have no pain or discomfort.” I waited another five minutes and still felt the same, so at 7:30, I said, “Lord, You have healed me!”

I am so thankful I have made my calling and election sure. My aim is to make Heaven my home, and to tell others of the joy and peace that comes through yielding one’s life to the Lord.

Ester Green became the Mailing Department supervisor in 1964, and continued working at the Apostolic Faith headquarters until she was more than ninety years old. She went Home to receive her reward on October 4, 2011 at the age of ninety-four.