It is Sunday evening, the dedication festivities are over, all the company is gone, and Jerry and I are alone here in the motor home. If all was not perfect, it was so close as to never be remembered otherwise.
…except that for the opening service on Friday evening we had carpet in only half the building…then at 5:00 on Saturday morning, Ken, the carpet layer, let himself in the building, and by 5 minutes before 10:00, had the job finished. It is beautiful.
More beautiful was the quality of every service, the visitation of God, our wonderful visitors–family, friends and new people from Lake Havasu. Guest singers blessed us, Brother Keyes’ preaching was outstanding as usual, Brother Branks’ testimony was striking, Rebecca baked and brought over from her home in California 300 cookies, and she and Rosalinda served them after church. It was a marvelous time.
The best part? Five people received the Holy Ghost!
Our son Andrew opened the service with a time of worship.
Denae Abbott joined her parents in uplifting music. At 15, Denae just 
released her first CD. She wrote 6 of the songs on the project.
Charley Branks spent most of his adult life in prison, and finally had been sentenced to over 200 years in the penitentiary. During his time of incarceration, he began seeking God; God revealed His word to Brother Branks and filled him with the Holy Ghost. He was 
baptized in Jesus name, then miraculously received a full parole. He is now a successful businessman, who has been serving God for more than 30 years–a unique, dynamic testimony.
Randy Keyes ministered 
in a powerful, anointed way.
Dale received 
the Holy Ghost!
Andrea received 
the Holy Ghost!
Dustin received the 
Holy Ghost!
George received 
the Holy Ghost!
Numerous ministers honored us by attending all or part of our three-day dedication/anniversary services. Among those were Gary Hogan, superintendent of the Arizona district, Robert Allen, secretary of the Arizona District, and Rick Faulkner, regional director of Spirit of Freedom. With his wife and three small sons, our grandson Joel drove all the way from Carson City, Nevada, a 10-hour drive, to be with us on Friday night. Early Saturday morning, they drove back for their own services on Sunday.
To everyone who contributed in any way, we say thank you. It was a tremendous time of worship, ministry and of fellowship.
Shirley Buxton 
8 replies on “And So Went the 2nd Anniversary Services”
[…] Jump to Comments Our 2nd anniversary/dedication services were tremendous. Click on this link to see extensive reporting and more […]
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Bro. and Sis. Buxton, Congratulations on your anniversary and upon completing the new facility. WOW! How awesome it is that God so kissed your services like He did.
Love you both dearly.
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We were only able to be a part of the Friday night service and how awesome it was! The stories behind some of those that I was able to witness receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost is just remarkable… hopefully you will share some of these testimonies (perhaps they are on Christ Alive’s blog?).
Finally got a “blog” site for our church while in the meantime getting all things together for a website. Stop by sometime > http://www.revivalofcarsoncity.blogspot.com
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Glad that things went well, and it’s always thrilling to hear of people receiving the wonderful gift of the Holy Ghost. 🙂
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It sounds like you all had wonderful anniversay services.Wonderful things are happening and it is awesome to see how many people were fill the Holy Ghost. .
Thank you, Angela for coming by. Yes, we are so grateful for those God filled with the Holy Ghost…and we’re expecting the same thing to happen to others shortly. Please continue to pray for us.
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I SO wish I could have been there! You are right, the best part is the new souls that have been born into the Kingdom of God. Nothing like it! Your building looks beautiful….glad all the carpet stuff worked out! Love you immensely.
Shawnna, I missed you more than anyone else who was not there. I so admire you and your dedication to the work of God. Your excellent attitude in this trying period of your life, when–because of your small children, your young church, and the dearth of work for Andrew in San Diego–you are often at home alone, while Andrew is traveling for work and/or for preaching engagements, impresses me greatly.
God sees the sacrifices you are making, and you will be rewarded–both in this life, most likely, and certainly in that heavenly world to come.
Hang in there, be strong, keeping loving Jesus. You are making an incredibly beautiful mark in this world.
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“There is hope for the hopeless, rest for the weary and peace for the broken heart, mercy and healing and grace where ever you are so cry out to Jesus.” These words are from the Bible and phrased in a song by the group Third day, and it struck me this morning looking at the pictures of these people receiving the mercy of God, how great and wonderful our God is and how fortunate I am to be able to have a small part in seeing all this happen.
Mom, I am so proud of your’s and Dad’s commitment to the work of God at this time in your life and the sacrifice you have made to come to Lake Havasu. Love You, Michael
It is a given, Michael, that without you, Daddy and I could not continue with the work here. It is just too overwhelming. But because of your support–financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually–we are able to be here.
Within recent months it has become apparent that the core of our church growth has come about because of our Christian Intervention Program…and you are the one to whom all the credit belongs for that. You have literally made it happen. I’ll be posting more about that later. Love you ten million!
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Five people receiving the Holy Ghost! Awesome! My pastor’s wife is from Bro. Brank’s church (Bro. Wendel Myers was her pastor), so I have heard his testimony numerous times and met Bro. Brank when visiting in that church.
It brings back some great, fond memories. Thanks for sharing.
We met Brother Branks at Brother Wendel Myers church, and learned of his testimony there, but had never before heard it all. He was an amazing blessing to us.
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