Orvan Johnson

I thank God He can bring to repentance that person who is in sin, out there in the world. He reminded me so many times that there was a Hell, and that I was going there unless I turned to Him.

My mother had taken me to church where I heard about Heaven and Hell, and those things stayed with me.

I was about thirteen years old when I went away from those teachings. I started running around in the things of the world and it wasn’t long until I was steeped in sin. I took my first drink of whisky at age thirteen. Then I became an alcoholic and started stealing. My cousin and I would go up one side of the street and down the other, going into the stores stealing. God was faithful to me, letting me know those things were wrong, but I did them anyway.

God strove with me as I grew up in that kind of life and as I got deeper in sin. I was sorry for the life I was living, because it was bringing reproach upon my family and my church. I really loved the church and I did not want anyone to talk unfavorably about it or the people that attended, but I did not want to go there myself.          

God was faithful to me. Many times when I couldn’t get to sleep, I would think about the things I had done and of the faithfulness of God. It would bring to me the thought of Hell. God continued to strive with my heart.

The Apostolic Faith people from Florida held a big tent meeting at 16th and Manning Street. The neighbors were outside on the porches looking on with curiosity. I was there for business. I was sorry for the sins I had committed, so I got down on my knees, in the straw, at the altar. I was burdened and I wanted to get out of my sins.

All that day I had thought about the price. I knew I had a terrible price to pay; I had to confess my past life. I also knew Heaven was cheap at any price. I asked God to forgive my sins, and I really meant it. God didn’t save me that night, though, and I was very much disappointed.

I left, and as I started to get into the car, a man came up to me and asked why I didn’t get saved. I thought maybe I had crossed the line. He said, “God will save you if you will promise to make those things right.” I thought of the things I had to make right, and finally I said, “Lord, I’ll do it!”

I don’t remember much about the meeting the next night, but I do remember that when the altar call was given, I went and I gave my heart to God. It was so wonderful! My sins rolled away—not just one sin, but all sins—and I knew it. He satisfied my heart. I didn’t want to do the things I had done before, because the experience God gave me was so real. He gave me courage to straighten up my past life. I had to go to a woman and tell her I stole from her. It was hard for me, but I thought, “I will get to go to Heaven if I make it right.” The Lord went before me and I was forgiven. Oh, I praise Him with all my heart! It has been eighteen years since the Lord saved my soul, and I find it even more wonderful now. I enjoy this salvation.