Phyllis Olson

I was brought to the Apostolic Faith Church from the time I was a tiny baby, and my parents taught me right from wrong. I had five siblings, and my mother always told us that we had to have a “know-so” salvation down deep in our hearts if we wanted to be ready to go to Heaven.

My older brothers and sisters did not take the way, and it was when I saw the way they were living that the Lord was able to talk to me. He showed me that if I had any part in a life of sin, I would be as miserable as they were.

One day the Lord showed me I had to give Him everything—even my very life! That night I prayed and asked Him to come into my heart and make me truly happy. That is what He did. He forgave my sins and took away all condemnation.

The Lord also sanctified me. It is a wonderful experience that helps me live peaceably every day. I have six children, and for fifteen years my mother-in-law lived with us. We loved one another and lived harmoniously together. My mother-in-law was active until just before she died. Then as her time drew near she would pray, “Lord, I want to go Home.” She had nothing she needed to make right with any of us, and none of us needed to ask her forgiveness. Through sanctification, the Lord kept us in one accord.

The Lord baptized me with the Holy Ghost. It was after a young people’s service during camp meeting. I was so hungry for that experience and my mother offered to babysit while I prayed. I didn’t have time to pray for very long, but it didn’t take long. Oh, what joy filled my heart! I walked up and down the aisles saying, “I’ve got it! I’ve got my baptism!” It has been good through the years.

When we moved to San Francisco, California, my sister-in-law who had lived there before told me, “Phyllis, you are making a big mistake. Your children will never be able to be Christians if they go to school there.” She didn’t know the God I serve, though. All of my children went through school there as Christians and continue to serve the Lord.

For about five years my health was poor. Every time I came to camp meeting, I was asked to help in the camp office, so I would pray for strength. Summer after summer, God’s promise to me was Nehemiah 8:10, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Then one summer, I didn’t have to ask for strength. While praying with a brother from Newfoundland, Canada, who was seeking his baptism, the Lord healed me without me even asking. I was a different person after that. My strength continued to increase in the months following, and I became able to travel with my husband on some of his business trips.

The Lord has always provided for us. My husband worked for a company for twenty-four years, and expected to stay there until retirement. Suddenly he was without a job. He could have transferred to another city, but we felt our family’s responsibilities were in the San Francisco church. We committed the problem to the Lord, and within one year he received three job offers.

I am thankful for the old-time religion, because it works. I have found it very good to walk with the Lord.