FOR THE FIRST 27 YEARS OF MINISTRY I was a hard-line unbeliever in the baptism and gifts of the Holy Spirit. I not only preached against those ‘strange’ ideas but ridiculed others who believed them. Then an abrupt change came. God sovereignly slammed me against my religious wall. Overnight, my life and ministry revolutionized. That was in 1977. When I emerged again, submitted to God and better informed, I was a new man, had a new message, was anointed for new ministry. As with Israel’s double baptism—“baptized unto Moses in the sea and in the cloud,” (I Corinthians 10:2), I too experienced a dual baptism unto Jesus. The first, in 1948, was “in the sea,” (my water baptism) and in 1977, a wondrous baptism in the “Cloud”--the Spirit. Since this latter baptism, I have experienced the power Jesus promised and seen literally thousands of lives touched by the power of the Holy Spirit. At age 71, my ministry is more relevant, more powerful, more far-reaching, than in all previous years combined--and the end is not in sight. I say that to the Glory of God.

Instead of telling what the Holy Spirit has done in this second half of ministry, I want others to speak for me. The following letters report the story much better than I. Read them carefully.

1. “Dear Pastor Carrin, The first time I came to your meeting in the Spring of '96 I weighed 86 pounds, suffered from bulimia and anorexia, and vomited as much as 30 times a day. I want to tell you what happened to me the three nights I came. The first night I shook so violently as you preached that I could hardly sit there. The next night I left early and went home with fierce thoughts of suicide. Thank God, I returned to the service again. The third night when I met you at the door I tried to speak but my body froze like a pretzel. I could not talk. You took me to a private room with several other women, put your arms around my head and prayed. When you did that, I felt something like hot oil pour down my head and body. One of the women gave me a ‘word of knowledge’ about my suicidal anger the night before. That final, wonderful night I was delivered. After you left I went to the rest room and looked at myself in the mirror. For the first time I did not see myself as big and ugly. I not only looked normal--I was normal. I want you to know that I have been free ever since!”

2. “Dear Brother Charles, I grew up in a home filled with alcohol, hatred and abuse. I cannot remember ever feeling loved or wanted. I attempted suicide twice as a teenager. I have had two failed marriages and have lived forty-three years without one ounce of self-confidence or self-respect. My mother told me God didn't want someone like me ... The night you said for those wanting deliverance to line up at the front my feet got up and took me ... As I stood there, while you spoke, my insides began to tremble. But it was a very strange and different feeling. It was like it wasn't my insides that were trembling but something inside my insides that was trembling. The more you talked the worse the thing in me shook ... it felt like a tornado ... very, very angry. I could barely could hear you say, "In the Name of Jesus I command you to go!" That tornado lifted up out of the middle of myself and ripped out of my body with hatred, anger, and despite beyond belief. As it left, I passed out. Brother Charles, let me tell you, by the grace of God, I woke up as God's little girl who is loved! This thing is so overwhelming to me. Each day I love Jesus more than the day before ..."

3. “Dear Charles, As a result of brain surgery 20 years ago I had a condition called ataxia. My left arm would shake uncontrollably when I extended it. When I raised my hands to praise the Lord I was embarrassed that people would think my tremor was weird. One evening at a service where you were preaching, you touched my hand and I fell to the floor. I was going to stand up when someone said “Just stay there and receive.” So I did. Soon I felt a funny feeling go up through my left leg to my arm. When I stood I found I could stretch out my hand and the tremor was gone! Now I can raise my hands in worship with no tremor!”

4. “Dear Charles, On march 10, 1995, I was using a table saw and almost amputated my four fingers. The doctor performed surgery to reattach the nerves and tendons. I had been in pain with my fingers and wrist ever since. When you laid hands on me I fell under the power of the Holy Spirit and He touched me in a way I never knew before. The next evening, while doing my therapy, the bones in my wrist began to pop and the pain immediately went away. God heals and answers prayer!”

5. “Dear Charles, I'm free, I'm free, I'm free! Thank you for being my ‘Ananias.’ I have received my miracle! For 34 years I have been in bondage to a curse of homosexuality and rejection placed on me by my Dad. I had begun to contemplate suicide because I could not handle it any longer. I prayed one last time for God to send me the person that could help me get a ‘break through’ --- and the rest is history. No one could imagine the pain and suffering I've endured in my life but thank God it has been ‘Swallowed up in Victory.’ Charles, the church is so ignorant in this area. The homosexual behavior may be a choice but not the curse. I was five years old when my Dad threatened to castrate me and make me into a girl. I endured this abuse all during my childhood. I had forgiven my Dad years ago but I never could break the curse until now. I not only experienced deliverance but also an inner healing. I now can begin the ministry God has intended for me. I could go on for days! To me my miracle is as great as the lame man walking or the blind seeing ... You are free to use my experience to help others ..."