Norman Allen

In the fall of 1917 our little family of four arrived at the Union Depot in Portland, Oregon. My parents had been converted in Eastern Oregon. Later they heard about the Apostolic Faith Church and what was preached there, and decided to move so they could attend. In the years that followed, both my parents were active in church activities and regular in service attendance. My brother and I were brought up in that wonderful Christian home.

I saw miracles as God answered prayer. My brother had spinal meningitis when he was seven years of age. My mother was told that he could not live, and if he did, he would never be in his right mind. But the ministers and the other people of God prayed for him, and God healed him completely.

With such answers to prayer happening before my eyes, I could never doubt the power of the Gospel. I believed it and would have fought for it, but did nothing to get it into my own heart. Habits and appetites of the world began to attach themselves to my life. I sat in church and shook under conviction when the Lord dealt with me, but I would not yield. I was a very serious sinner, for I was sinning against light, and I knew better.

My mother found out that I was smoking, and it hurt her deeply. In her prayers she really zeroed in on my need for salvation. God answered, and conviction made my life miserable.

I’m glad that God knows how to get your attention. One night my brother and I crossed a major thoroughfare on our bicycles. On arriving at the other side, I turned in time to see him sail through the air, knocked from his bicycle by a car. I carried him to the curb and held him in my lap as someone called an ambulance. He was unconscious and had a big concussion on the side of his head, and I knew full well that I was to blame for the whole thing because God had been dealing with my heart for about three months. God had my number and was pressing on me to surrender. Right there, I told God that if He would spare my brother’s life, I would serve Him. I promised that I would go to the altar and give Him my life the next time I could get to church.

My brother lived, and the next time I was in church I repented of my sins and told God I would serve Him. In a few minutes, I was on my feet and the first thought that crossed my mind was, “If I die tonight, I can meet God in peace.” The fear of death that had haunted me for years disappeared. I had peace in my soul, and the quick temper that had gotten me into all kinds of trouble was gone.

At that time I was a senior in high school, and the change God had made proved out. One day the shop instructor at school asked me, “What has happened to you? You’re not throwing things around anymore.” I could tell him about the change the Lord had made in my life.

I paid for what I had stolen and confessed things that I had done. One restitution was to a grocery store where I had taken candy. When I told the manager what I had done and offered to pay for the goods, he offered me a delivering job for the store. He wanted someone honest!

I would like to tell you about the keeping power of God. He not only saves, but he can keep. I worked in all kinds of different jobs before I became a minister. I worked in manufacturing plants and corporation offices. I hauled heavy machinery with an 18-wheeler. God spared my life many, many times.

Some people seem to think that being a Christian is a boring way of life, but I have found the challenge of the Gospel is a thrill. Many opportunities for service opened up to me. I sang in a male quartet for a number of years. There were services in the jails, visitations to the ships in the harbor, and many other privileges. To see a soul saved is a real thrill!

When the time came to establish my own home, the Lord directed in that area too. Ruth and I both prayed for God’s will, and we were married fifty-five years ago. We have had a happy Christian home all these years. The Lord helped us bring up two daughters. He has been our healer and helper in every area of life, and He has never failed us. In the still watches of the night we have called on God, and He was right there to answer prayer.

The Gospel is good in your youth. It is wonderful for young married folks raising a family. It continues to grow more precious through the years, when the children are grown and present you with grandchildren. And it is still good when you reach retirement age. I am grateful for God’s love and protection all through my life.

I am glad that we have such a wonderful God and such a wonderful Savior—One that has been very real. The joy of my life these days is to tell the good news of salvation, to point other men and women to the Lamb of God that takes away the sins of the world. There is nothing good that I have done, but God gave me everything good that is in my life today. The joy of the Lord is still my strength!

Norman Allen pastored many Apostolic Faith Churches before retiring in Portland, Oregon.