Testimonies

The Sozo session was what I have been longing for and needing for quite some time...

About a month ago, I was privileged to have a Sozo appointment when the Bethel team was at our church. I’ll have to admit that I went into the Sozo session with low expectations. I had thoughts like, “I know that Sozo is probably effective for other people, but there is no way that a short session with someone that doesn’t even know me could really do much for me”. I didn’t know much about Sozo, but I did know that the nature of Sozo was not to counsel people or even spend a lot of time talking about issues. In my mind, I felt as if the only way that I could break through some of my issues or baggage would be to talk about them for hours and then work at them with my own logic and strength. But, boy was I wrong.

 

I can truly say that the Sozo session was what I have been longing for and needing for quite some time. The part I loved most about the session was that it was solely focused on my Father God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It wasn’t about the Sozo facilitator, about a certain formula, or really even about me—it was about what God wanted to speak tenderly into my life. The woman who conducted the session simply guided me through asking God to speak to me. As HE spoke, she guided me in praying simple prayers of forgiveness and repentance. As we prayed I could almost literally feel chains falling off of me and the healing being ministered deep in my spirit.

 

There was nothing threatening, uncomfortable, or strange about my experience. There was nothing embarrassing, shameful, or condemning. I felt safe and comfortable. I felt so LOVED. It was truly a unique encounter with God that was different than anything else I have ever experienced. I loved the fact that when I left my session I knew that I had heard God speaking tenderly to me— I hadn’t simply heard a person saying nice encouraging words that would last for a little while, but I had genuinely heard my heavenly Daddy speak specific compassionate words that shattered the lies the enemy so desperately wanted me to believe.

- AM

 

For the first time, I could run up to Daddy God...

- Upon arriving home and while reflecting on the session, I closed my eyes and for the first time in my life I was able to run up to Daddy God with no restraints or shyness and climb into His lap and feel Him hold me tight like a Father would. Amazingly wonderful moment one I plan on repeating the rest of my life!  Thank you!

 

 

God makes all things new for my son, Mark...

- Wendy shared her joyful testimony with us of her son Mark’s transformation. Mark had suffered years of rejection in school and difficulties with scholastics because of his learning disability. He had even had the words “autistic” and “bipolar” applied to him. He had never used drugs until about a year ago, but he found acceptance with other drug users, so drugs became a part of his life last summer, and eventually landed him in a mental ward in an Oregon hospital after experiencing a deep depression with suicidal thoughts, and a drug overdose, which he barely survived. 

Last September 16, his parents brought him to Bethel, where a Sozo team member ministered to him through a helpful two-hour Sozo that opened him up to receive.

Then he spent hours in the prayer house. On Saturday, he visited the Healing Rooms at Bethel Church. Sunday, he was greeted by Pastor Bill and received prayer and a strong prophetic word from Pastor Kris, who saw the abuse he had experienced that kept him from receiving the Father’s love. After this weekend at Bethel, Mark’s heart began to soften and he agreed that he needed some help. Mark’s family researched to find the best year long residential faith-based program and found “Men of Valor Ranch” in Washington State. What was even more amazing is that Mark was willing to go and felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to be there, and has been there since October 4th of 2007. God even provided the resources to pay for this program, which Mark’s family would not have been able to afford. Mark’s grandfather, a Free Methodist minister, who died when Mark was very young, left a trust fund for Mark to go to a Free Methodist college. Although the will was very specific about the restrictions of this trust to be used only toward a free Methodist college,  Wendy felt the Lord leading her to make a call to the director of the trust and explain the circumstances. The board met the very next day and called back to say they had agreed to disburse the funds from the trust each month to Men Of Valor Ranch!! God can make even the impossible come true!

Mark’s life has since turned around.  He loves living on the 40-acre ranch on the Columbia River, in a log cabin, hunting, fishing, and experiencing a real wild at heart adventure, as well as learning trades and skills. He is planning to stay another year to work there after his graduation in October 2008.  

In May 2008, he visited the Lakeland, Florida, revival. God touched him deeply there. He felt God’s love for the first time and really experienced Him. He returned to Washington on fire to pray for people, and he is seeing healings when he prays. Years ago, Wendy saw a vision of him ministering to young people and saw the call on his life. She rejoices that at 20, Mark is beginning to live what she saw. The staff at Men of Valor Ranch believes that even his learning challenges are being healed, because of Mark’s level of understanding and revelation, as well as being more focused and on task. God makes all things new. 

-Wendy

 

Surprised by my view of God...

- I was surprised at how my original earthly family impacted my view of God-especially the Mother’s part.

 

 

Finally living with a "Heart of Flesh"...

- I wanted surgery, to get rid of the stony heart and get a soft new redeemed fleshy one. I believe that happened and I determine to live there and remember that time always as a memorial.

 

 

My life was changed forever...

- It radically altered my relationship with Daddy, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. I filled this form out exactly 2 weeks after my sozo session and I would like to say with full confidence that my life was changed forever.

 

 

I was able to see...

- I was able to see all 3 members of the Godhead way more clearly than ever before.

- VC

 

Sweet Moments...

- I had some sweet moments with the Lord during the time.

- BT

 

More Freedom...

- very empowering, calming, feeling of more freedom in prayer. It seemed to go by very fast.

- DL