Dear Saints,

Some of you may know that I am a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God here in Texas. Today I received a letter in the mail from my District Presbyter, informing me of a private meeting that took place between the Superintendent of the Assemblies of God and President George W. Bush in the Oval Room at the President's request. I thought I'd share it with SI. I doubt you'll see any of this on CNN! Glory be to God:


"General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Thomas Trask, and the General Assistant Superintendent Charles Crabtree met with President George W. Bush at President Bush's request in the White House Oval Office for 40 minutes on October 5th.

The President asked about the Assemblies of God. Thomas Trask noted that the World Council of Churches had recently identified the Assemblies of God as the fastest growing denomination in the United States because the Word of God is proclaimed. The President said, "You preach the Bible." Then Bush began to speak about his devotional life: reading through the Bible annually, praying each morning, and presently reading Oswald Chambers and Charles Stanley. The President said he desired to let Jesus Christ shine clearly through his life.

He asked about our standard on homosexuality, and Brother Trask responded that we love the person but not the act. The President noted that we will face this issue more, especially since the recent scandal regarding Mark Foley. Brother Crabtree outlined our posture on marriage, stem cell research, terrorism, values, and Israel. The President said he has been accused of being overly pro-Israel. However, he was for peace and the path to peace was through democracy.

The conversation then turned from the Word of God and preaching, to his decision to run for presidency. He had been undecided. He didn't want to run because he knew he would forever have to give up his privacy. He knew from his father the difficulties and challenges of being president. He did not know that war would occur during his term. In this state of indecision and wrestling with it, he was in church and his Methodist pastor preached about Moses not feeling qualified. [i]The President at that time felt it was right for him to run, and his mother leaned over and said to him, "He is preaching to you." [/i]

After the service, he told the pastor, "Your message helped me to solidify my decision." He asked for a copy of the sermon, but the pastor had preached without notes and from his heart. Now the President feels in light of all the things that have happened during his presidency, that God put him in office. Thomas Trask agreed.

The discussion then turned to prayer. Brother trask said that our denomination had set aside October 22-29 as a week of fasting and prayer. The President responded: "That is so meaningful to me." He is so moved by people praying for him and said, "I am a changed man. Tell people that. It is a battle between good and evil. Evil is hiding behind religion...and I cannot say that. They have hijacked religion."

Brother Trask urged President Bush to read II Chronicles 26:4,5,7 - King Uzziah began his reign when he was 16 years-old, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.

Upon closing, they joined hands and Charles Crabtree led in prayer. He thanked the Lord for the President's personal life and salvation, asked for a special anointing and protection from every evil against him and his family, prayed for the country, and pronounced a blessing on the President.

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Paul Frederick West

Brother,

This is encouraging to read, Oh to realize we struggle not against flesh and blood. When I look at the president or the leader of the assemblies of God I think that they are just men, frail, vunerable, weakily just like us all. We need the proper understanding firmly placed in our minds that God gives authority spiritually. And upholds all things by the word of His power.

I am privildged to be able to peer into the oval office through this testimony and hear the spiritual groaning and pains of men in leadership.

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SI Moderator - Greg Gordon

Yes, brother. This was an encouraging read for me as well. Especially in light of what is happening now, the staggering sin of the evangelical leader before the entire world. What a profound blow by Satan. So many souls will be brainwashed by this, averted from Christianity, swept into hell effortlessly. The open attack on Christianity, the exposure, the shaking of foundations. Oh, I feel myself being attacked mentally, spiritually right at this moment. These last two weeks...something is going on...my mind is being wounded, things are going wrong at work, everything feels disjointed. The foundations of my faith are being shaken. The Bible seems so dry, burdensome to read. Prayer is a wearisome struggle. Must hold tightly onto Jesus, sing songs to the Lord in my heart. Oh Lord! Ignite my heart! I need your nearness, your fragrant touch - melt my heart to tears and drive away my lethargy!

Oh, but I'm so blessed to live in country where our President fears God, reads the Bible cover-to-cover annualy, prays each morning and has a personal relationship with Christ. A man who avidly supports Israel - to the chagrin of the world. How much longer will we have this? Oh, I shudder to think of the next election.

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Paul Frederick West