SOLBREKKEN MEETINGS A GREAT SUCCESS
in the Central
District,
PENTECOSTAL ASSEMBLIES
OF NEWFOUNDLAND
writes Pastor
A.W. Rowe, District Superintendent
The new tabernacle which was dedicated during the
Solbrekken crusade seats 1300 people, but 700 extra chairs were crammed in
every available space, hundreds more people stood along the inside walls of the
80 ft by 40 ft. building, another 100 or more stood in the main entrance, and
on the outside of the building where hundreds of cars were parked. There were still hundreds of people milling
around, while many more remained seated in their cars and buses because there
was no room in the tabernacle.
On the second Sunday of the crusade it was estimated
that there were about 7,000 people that came to the gounds to try and get into
the tabernacle but had to be turned away.
The late Pastor F.G. Bursey, veteran minister and
superintendent of the Central District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Nfld.,
for over 20 years, a few years before his passing, said to his Distict
Committee, “Boys, we need a large tabernacle in order that we might be able to
gather the people together and see God move in power and blessing to sae, heal,
deliver and baptise believers in the Holy Spirit.”
Immediately plans were made to erect such a
building. The task was strenous, the
financial burden was heavy, he did not live to see the completion of it, but on
May 22, 1969 the tabernacle which he spearheaded and which will stand as a
memorial to such a faithful servant of God was opened and dedicated to the
Glory of God.
Very timely remarks were made by the widow of the late
F.G. Bursey, Mrs. Hazel Bursey, the dedicatory passage was read by the past
District Superintendent , Pastor R.W. King, and the Dedicatory Prayer was
offered by Pastor A.S. Bursey, borther
of the late F.G. Bursey and General Superintendent of the Pentecostal
Assemblied of Nfld.
The vision of the late F.G. Bursey was fulfilled as
night after night God used His humble servant Evangelist Max Solbrekken of
White Rock, British Columbia to preach and pray for the sick. The great congreatation listened in rapt
attention, interspersed with praises to God as Bro. Max hit the high spots of
his messages and drove his point home to every heart.
Bro. Max fearlessly denounced the sins of this present
generation. Adultery, fornication, vice,
envy, drunkenness, dope addiction, wrath, strife were common words of his
vocabulary as he met their cruel force and ministered to the multitudes.
Yes, he uncovered sin and iniquity in no uncertain
terms, and then like a good samaritan he poured in the oil of the tedemptive
blessings and benefits of Calvary. God
mightily confirmed the Word with signs following, the sick were healed, the
crippled walked, the deaf heard and the blind saw.
Over 400 people walked to the alter for salvation and
night after night Bro. Max spent extra time inviting souls to accept Christ as
Lord and Saiour. They came forward to
accept Christ, the youth, the middle
aged, the fathers and mothers and the aged, as it was in Philip’s revival to
Samaria, so it was in the Tabernacle.
There was great joy as sinners wept their way through to God, and othes
were filled with the Holy Ghost and fire, speaking in tongues as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
The gift of the word of knowledge operated through our
Brother night after night as he told the number of souls that were hearing the
call of the Spirit of God, and whenever he declared a certain number, whether
it wa 10, 15, 20, 30 or 65 they always came without fail right to the very last
one. Many more continued to come, those
who were convinced that the Gift of the Spirit of God was working in our
Brother’s life.
It was glorious as night after night, wave after wave
of the blessing and power of God swept over the large congregation as Bro. Max
ministered the Word, and his co-worker,
Bro. Thorbjorn Marthinsen sang then beautiful songs of the gospel, under
a precious annointing of the Holy Ghost, glorifying and exalting our wonderful
Lord and Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Brother Max Solbrekken and Bro. Marthinsen have
endeared themselves to the hearts of the Newfoundland people, because of their
straightfordwardness, sincerity and exemplified love manifested so
compassionately in ministering to the sick and suffering.
At the end of the crusade the people felt that Mrs.
Solbrekken should have the privilege of spending a few days with her husband in
this great Crusade, and out of love for them the people raised an offering to
bring her into the province. Mrs.
Solbrekken arrived on the 30th of May, and in her quiet and
unassuming manner presented herself to the audience, who received her joyfully.
I feel that time will not erase the benefits derived
from the Crusade held here at this time.
Lives have changed, a new incentive has been aroused in the hearts of
the people and pastors to carry this gospel forward until Jesus returns.
Our prayers are with Brother Max and we pray that he will
be able to return to us again.
Pastor A.W.Rowe, Central District Superintendent,
Pentecostal Assemblies of Newfoundland.
