Marvin Bowen

I thank God I had the privilege of being reared by Christian parents, but like many other young people, I didn’t appreciate the privilege I had. As soon as I could, I got away from home and started down the road of sin.

At sixteen years of age, I left my home and went to Alaska. There, I got into all kinds of sin, going deeper every year. Every night of the week I could be found on the dance floor or in the theater, trying to have a good time. The Spirit of God would strive, but I wouldn’t give in. I thought that when I grew older, I would accept God.

God let me go on that way for years. I came back from Alaska and wandered up and down the Pacific Coast. The lights looked so bright, but I was never satisfied. I never stayed in one job: I was always on the go. Sometimes, I would go to bed at night and then wake up with condemnation and terror. Mighty conviction was on my heart. I knew where I’d land if anything happened to me, especially with the light I had.

One night I went to bed in a little boarding house in Hood River, Oregon. I woke up suddenly and something said to me, “This is your last chance!” I tried to shrug that off, but after that, the pleasures of the world no longer looked bright: everything was ashes. That week was the most miserable week of my life.          

The next Sunday morning I came to Portland, to the Apostolic Faith Church on Front and Burnside, and at an altar bench, I cried out to God for mercy. He took away the load of sin and the sinful habits I had on my life. The little cigarette had been my master, but God took cigarettes out of my life. I thank God for this mighty Gospel and that the Lord ever saved my soul. He has helped me live a Christian life these many years. By the grace and help of God, I want to go all the way with Him.