Dedicated to the Church of God in Brooks Alberta for their 25 anniversary.

Friday June 30, 2006

Greetings to the Church of God, Pastor, members, special guests

From your Brother in the Lord-Joel Akin

Today happens to be my birthday and I turned 48 this morning. It is hard to believe that 18 years of my life was spent in Brooks and those years have come and gone.

 Some may ask what my first impression of Brooks was. Dry, dusty, a tumbleweed blowing down the center of town and a lone horse rider. For some reason I don't remember any cars or trucks and I thought maybe, just maybe Dad and I had returned to the old west. But after all isn't that what the Church of God was? A COG in the Wheel? And dads name Wayne meant Wagon Wheel. A man born for the Church of God and meant to carry the message across the Prairies. It was always his desire to start a flame to help set the fields on fire. And there was no one who understood the power of prayer like my dad. God himself said to me of him, "There is no man who's prayers I treasure more. For they are holy anointing which is like sweet incense poured out daily before me."

 I know now what prayer is. I have had to learn the hard way the power of prayer and it is prayer which is the key to your success in Brooks. But it is called prayer without ceasing and that simply means not letting a day go by without seeking that entrance into the holy place of God.

 Men have talked about the Church of God in Brooks. There have been those who fought against us in the beginning. I was there and felt the pain of it and the struggle to reunite. Yet I also was called by God to measure out my time in Brooks by aiding my father in any way that I could. That included starting up a Christian radio program called Christian Perspective. The show operated at the old radio station CKBR and eventually the program was turned over to my Brother Steve Akin and he did an admirable job carrying it as Good Morning Gospel.

 There were other tasks dad had me do and that included helping clean the church. Most like to think it was others who worked on the janitorial but dad wasn't below or above menial tasks and we did our share alongside the 7^th Day Adventist.

 There were other things I did from Sunday School teacher, Bible study teacher, Assistant pastor and youth leader. These things kept me busy especially after dads health declined beginning around 1985. I still remember the Overseer Rev Alan Hathaway was here during that time.

 I was priveledged to work with some wonderful people over the years including John and Valerie Christman. They were staunch supporters of the church yet John challenged me more than once asking tough questions and I had to search out scripture myself on such things as the workings of the Holy Spirit as spoken of in Acts.

 This may be the 25^th anniversary but it is important to understand why I followed my dad to Brooks. It wasn't for money or glory or desire to carry a burden unknown. Dad wanted a revival. He wanted to see God move and he never ceased praying that God would pour out of His spirit upon the town of Brooks. It is something I know he continues to pray for.

 After dads health problems began God opened the door for me to take on more responsibility along side the Gentle Giant, John Turko. He is a brother to me and a friend and though he and I struggled to fill one shoe dad continued to hold the reigns during the Sunday morning services and we spoke to sole 'd' out crowds at night as in spare but staunch supporters.

 Dad was finally forced to move to Calgary in 1997. Some might say that his life was over and he might have felt that way. He and mom and myself began a journey I can say that none of us have enjoyed. We have fought the fight of faith and have been in battle here in Calgary. But take heed for that battle has produced some warriors for God. You see before you my father, a scarred veteran of multiple battles. I have learned from him and I have learned that God never casts aside someone until it is there time to go. And as strange as this sounds I don't believe its time to Go.

 Steve Lightle said of Brooks "It is a place of refuge," for the future. A place of refuge means there is a people who are carried in the fire so that they might come forth as stones polished and metal tempered even as gold is tempered and hardened.

 Don't let anyone tell you that Brooks is finished. It isn't. There is a war coming to the natural which will seem as little to those for whom God has prepared. Don't be concerned about the future for there is a God greater than great or who and does challenge each one of you to stand firm. For as there is a day of darkness so there is a day of glorious appearance. As there is a wall that stands as separation between you and victory so there is a light that shines in the darkness. And Christ Jesus Himself knows of the place called Brooks because of your prayers. And don't be surprised when He comes to break forth the wall and that wall will come down and the Son of God will be revealed in all His majesty. And he shall call forth those who await his coming and he will shine forth with a song for those who sing. And don't worry if you are off key for God will give you the keys to heaven so you can keep tune with the saints of the ages. For time will cease and time will be no more. And death will vanish away. And all those of you who suffer with aches and pains and turns of the heart til they are broken will find healing coming to you with joy. And joy shall give to you all the hope that you needed to look forward to a brighter day. And if there are those who sing they will sing and if they play music they are required to prepare themselves for joining the musical band which is even now rehearsing for the wedding feast. You may think this is just a few words to encourage you but this is the Lord giving you warning that you are being called to prepare for his coming. It is soon and not just scripturally soon as in "a day is that of a thousand years" but the day of the Lord is coming and it is sooner than soon. Those who have been called will hear their voice and it will sound from the heaven above to the earth below. Those who are dead will hear their call first and those of us who are alive will be ressurected into an eternal body. And it will be quick. Not in a day or week but in a moment of time. And those of you who want to be there need to adjust your time for it will be changed. And those who fight will be rewarded with a soldiers honor. And they will be granted lands and gifts and honors above measure. So fight children and don't give up. For everyone who calls God Lord shall be part of this measure. For Jesus himself will say to all of you. Fight for the measure of time that you might be granted a place in heaven. And fight that you might be part of the story that is being told even now by those who love you and cry unto God daily that you might be there. And all those who call unto God will see Him in all His majesty and glory and Honor and they shall be lifted up to be with Him always and forever.   Amen