Jennie Gailey

My husband and I were touring through the State of Oregon when we came into contact with the Apostolic Faith people. We had lived in California for many years; we weren’t going to settle in any particular place, as we were out for a good time. My husband said, “We are going north and on into the eastern states and just take the whole year and see what we can see.” But through the love and mercy of the Lord, about two weeks after we left our home, our plans were changed.

When we came to Salem, Oregon, we were walking along the street, and I looked over on the opposite side and saw a Gospel car with a group of Christian workers from the Apostolic Faith, ready to hold a meeting. I asked, “I wonder what kind of people they are?” We went over and spoke with them, and they asked if we would like one of their papers. I said, “Yes, if it is the Word of God we will be glad to have it.”

I had been brought up carefully in an old-fashioned home. Father and Mother took time to read the Word of God and to have prayer. They brought up nine children in that way. That always stayed with me. So I never went out into sin; I had no love for that kind of life.

I had been a church member, had a class in Sunday school, and played the organ, and was busy in church activities, but none of that satisfied. I always wanted to be a real Christian or not at all, but I never had one day of victory. I wished many times that I did not belong to the church because I was ashamed of my profession.

My husband and I traveled on to Portland and were only in the city a few hours when we started out to find these people we had met in Salem. We attended one of their services. I never questioned their teachings from the first time I heard them. It was settled in my mind; I never wanted to go any other way. As I listened to the testimonies, they convinced me that, with all my profession, I was just a sinner, and I needed salvation. I heard them teach from the Bible that Christians live above sin, and I was sure that I was not doing that.

Something in my heart wanted what these people had. They gave me an invitation to the altar of prayer, and I went. I didn’t get saved the first night. I prayed many nights and finally the Lord saved me when I met His conditions. I can take you to the very place where God spoke peace to my heart.

Later, He sanctified me, and in my own home, He baptized me with the Holy Ghost. After I had prayed through I never wanted to leave this church. My husband and I gave up our trip and stayed in Portland. These people were my people and their God was my God.

My husband had inflammatory rheumatism; he couldn’t even step his foot on the floor. One night I brought a request to these people. He prayed at home while we prayed at the meeting, and God instantly healed him. In just about a week he was back to work.

My father was dying with neuritis. I received a telegram telling me that if I wanted to see my father, I would have to come at once. So I asked these people to pray that God would spare his life because I wanted to see my father, and I wanted to know he was really ready to meet the Lord. When I got there, one look at him told me he was past medical aid. My brother had his vault made ready to bury him. I wrote back to the Apostolic Faith Church to send us an anointed handkerchief that had been prayed over by the ministry. About the time they prayed over it, my father was instantly healed. He couldn’t say a word, but he raised his hand for me to come to the bed, and when I got there, he said, “Something has happened.” I said, “God has healed you. We wrote for prayer and the Lord has answered.” God added 15 years to his life.

I thank the Lord for years of joy, peace, and victory. I never could tell you what precious truths I have heard, and what my eyes have seen, and my heart has felt. This Gospel is my very life. I worship God for what He means to me.

Bio Notes:

For 46 years Jennie Gailey (Mrs. Mort Gailey), spread the Good News in hospitals, nursing homes, and wherever she could find someone to listen. She was never happier than when she could take an armful of Light of Hope papers and go out to find someone who was interested in the way to Heaven.

Hospital visitations to Eastern Oregon, down the Willamette Valley, and into the state of Washington were a regular part of her life. She was in charge of six teams, which made regular visitations to about 100 institutions.

It seemed the strength and vitality of Mrs. Gailey would never wane. But on January 17, 1972 the Lord took her from this life to that of service above at the age of 91 years. She had gone with a team of Gospel workers to hold a service at Edgefield Manor in Troutdale, a convalescent home near Portland, only the Thursday before.