THROUGH OBEDIENCE ...
A CHURCH IS BORN!
REVIVAL TABERNACLE
OF STANLEY
By: Ruby A. Gittens

    Everything seemed to be going well for us when we were attending an Assembly of God church in Saint Louis, Missouri; Reverend and Mrs. A. L. Burnett were the pastors there.  Yes, we experienced trials, tests, and difficult places during that time, but we knew He had promised He would "never leave [us]."  We held many responsible positions in this church.  We worked as: Teachers, Preachers, Superintendents of Sunday School, Leaders of the youth groups and women's groups, also, in ministries outside of the church.  In all this, we loved the fellow-Christian friends whom we had acquired through the new birth experience we had on December 13, 1964, at this very church.  Certainly, we loved to see people accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and, through this, we gained knowledge that, apparently, the Lord wanted us to use.
    In January of 1971, God began to speak to my husband.  God impressed upon him the urgency to go forth and preach the Word and start a church for Him by faith, for His honor and glory.  This new work was to begin in North Carolina, our native state.  My husband began to pray, "Lord, speak to my wife and give her the same message that you have given me."  At that point, something strange began to happen to me.  I began to desire to return to North Carolina.  Until this time, every time I would come to North Carolina on vacation, I would be ready to go back to St. Louis in three days.  I shared with my husband the unusual feeling that the Lord had given me.  This was the confirmation that my husband had be waiting for.
    I am persuaded to God speaks to men and women to go forth to do His work.  Genesis 12:1 says, "Now the Lord had said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee;"  We did not know just how God was going to do this; but, our responsibility was to act upon what He told us to do.  Praise God for the move of His Spirit.  "It's not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord."
    In order to make this move to North Carolina, we realized we would need at least $1,400.00.  The Lord answered this need by providing more work for my husband, and by moving upon the hearts of people to give.  As time passed by, we made a call to a moving company to give us an estimate as to how much it would cost us for them to move our furniture to North Carolina.  This estimates was $900.00.  We had $700.00 for this need, and we just started praying that God would lighten the load of this furniture.  Our prayer partners agreed with us according to Matthew 18:19 that says, "Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask and it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven."  Well, Glory!  We were the King's kids.  We knew He wanted us to get started, and we would just believe and receive.

    Everything up to this point had been preparations.  The final move was to be in June.  One small problem was our old stove.  It was in no condition to be moved, but we discussed it and prayed, and we were confident that the Lord would take care of it.  So, we didn't worry about it.
    Brother and Sister Chaples, my husband's sister and her husband, had been praying that God would bring us to North Carolina to begin a work for Jesus.  Because of this prayer, God used them as instruments in providing financial help and helping us to locate a home.  They found us the house that God wanted us to have.  Wouldn't you know, it had a built-in kitchen stove!  Praise the Lord!  God is mindful of the small things in our lives.
    As time was drawing near for us to make this move, our dear brothers and sisters in Christ that we loved so dear, gave us a going away party.  We cried and shared, yet inside of me, I felt the Holy Spirit tug to go, even though I did not know what the days ahead would bring.  Yet, the Lord's assurance and guidance was encouraging us all the time.  1 Peter 4:12 says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you,  as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings: that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy."  One of the greatest trials came at this time in our lives when we were preparing to make this move for God.  The Lord had allowed the test, and even though the devil was throwing all he had at us, we kept on trusting.  The Word of God says, "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble;  and He knoweth them that trust in Him." (Nehum 1:7)  No matter what come in life, death or hurts, remember when you have Jesus, you have the answer.
    The movers were finally at the house, and there was a great hustle around the big two-story house that the Lord allowed us to live in.  Little Robert and I were packing to fly to North Carolina ahead of my dear husband, as he had to work a two-week notice at General Groceries, were he held a supervisor's position.  The day Little Robert and I were to leave, our friends, the Evans, came over to share and pray with us.  During the time we were praying, God showed me a vision of the new church roof.  This vision was more than what I could understand, and I would see it come true soon, sooner than we had anticipated.  We took the flight that day to North Carolina and arrived in Charlotte, met by Brother and Sister Chaples.  We would stay with them until out furniture arrived.
    The next day after our arrival, I received a call from my husband with exciting news.  The furniture have been weighed, and it was just the amount of money that we had to pay for it, $700.00.  Glory!  The Lord was working with us.  Until my husband arrived, we held prayer meetings at Sister Jenkins' house.  The day came that my husband was to arrive from St. Louis.  Everyone was very excited to see him, and I had invited a large number of relatives over for his arrival.  I had prepared a big dinner, and everyone was enjoying themselves.  The it happened?  My kitchen sink pipes burst!  Out flowed the water.  "Lord, now what?"  Praise God for that brother (George) of mine that is knowledgeable about many things.  He came and fixed it; and so many times after that, he and Freda gave us assistance in other areas.  When we needed them, they were always glad to give that "helping hand".  God has given talents to men, women, boys, and girls.  IF you will only use what the Lord has given you, He will increase your talents.
    The first Sunday my husband was home, we had services in Brother and Sister Chaples' trailer, with 15 in attendance.  The next Sunday, God spoke to my husband's heart and said that by the following Sunday, He was going to give us a church!  We were happy about a promise like that!  We decided we would try to look for some kind of building, not really thinking God meant a church building.  You know how we are as His children, always trying to figure our way into it.  We should be more careful and listen closely.
    One day while my husband was out driving in search of a church, he felt led to go up Hickory Grove Road, toward Stanley,  My husband had expressed to me preciously that he felt the work we would do for God would be in Gaston County.  As he came into Stanley, he saw an old church building on the left, which had not been well kept.  He stopped his vehicle of an elderly black man who was outside. "Is this church for rent?"  With that question, the old man said, "No sir, but I can tell you where there is an empty church building for sale."  With this information, my husband proceeded to look for the church.  He found the church and a sign.  He discovered that Reverend Ted Smith was the man to get in contact with, as he was the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Stanley.  This church had been their former home church.  They had outgrown the building and were now in a new church.
    My husband located Rev. Smith, and their conversation about the church was really directed by the Lord Jesus.  My husband told Brother Smith his intentions, and how we felt led of God to come to North Carolina to start a work.  Brother Smith seemed interested in renting us the building, but there were three other people who were interested who had first choice.  God would have to show His hand in this matter if we were to get this building.  The pastor asked how much we could offer by the month.  The Lord impressed upon the mind of my husband to say $200.00.  Brother Smith responded that he would take it before the board at their next meeting, which would be the following Sunday.  My husband stated to the pastor, that he only wanted the building provided that it was God's will.  Well, we certainly didn't have $200.00 in our pockets, but we felt God's assurance that if He worked it out, the money would be there.  Luke 1:37 says, "For with God nothing shall be impossible."
    Sunday came with the anticipation of the prophecy that we would have a church by the next Sunday.  We had another meeting in the trailer and with our hopes high, we drove home and I fixed lunch.  Later that afternoon Pastor Smith called, and my husband answered the phone.  Brother Smith informed him that church was ours on the basis they had discussed, $200 a month for rent with the option to buy.   One hundred dollars of this rent would apply toward a down payment on the church.  Glory to God!  The Lord was really working with us.  This was where the Lord wanted us and we were happy.  With a handful of people, we had a glorious time sweeping the floors and knocking down the cobwebs.  We were happy mopping the floors and making every part clean for the first service.  To make the sanctuary complete, we borrowed chairs from Carother's Funeral Home, as this church had no furniture in it.  How thankful we were to be in a sanctuary, freshly cleaned, worshiping God on the Lord's day!
    Thank God for taking us another step.  The Word of God says, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise;  Be thankful unto Him and bless His name."
(Psalms 100:4)  That first Sunday God gave 35 in attendance at the new found Revival Tabernacle!  What a blessed beginning.  God would raise up more to stand behind this work He had appointed for the building-up of His kingdom.  Some would gall by the way.  Others would be steadfast and sure-planted on the Rock Jesus Christ.  Certainly the Lord Jesus had put us in a deeper position.  "Swim now, my children. No more shallow water!"  "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thou ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct they paths." (Proverbs 3:5,6)  If we could see through God's big telescope, our knees would tremble,  I am glad God is God.  His ways are not our ways.  Praise the Lord.  His way is higher!  He knows your abilities.  Just when we feel so insufficient, God will make us sufficient for that task.  Or, when you feel there's no more strength, he will give you a new supply; and, when the bread runs out, Jesus will send an abundance.  He knows our abilities, dedication, and love to Him, and just where to place you that you might benefit His Kingdom.  Yes, believe Him when he speaks to you that He has prepared a way before you.
    One of the first of our needs was chairs for the church.  The Lord opened up a way for us to get 100 chairs at $1.00 each.  They were in need of repair, but the workers took care of that.  In our hearts, we knew we would get the original furniture back in the sanctuary.  The Presbyterians were using this furniture in their new church until their sanctuary was completed.  Another on of our needs was a bus, which we took to the Lord in prayer.  Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and it shall be given you; seek and yea shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."  We had been out witnessing in Belmont, Mt. Holly and Stanley, and we knew we had to have a way for these people to get to church.  My brother, George, loaned us $600.00.  We used that money to buy a used VW bus.
    The Lord had saved souls because the Word had been preached,  People's needs were being meet.  Some were being healed, while others were being filled with His precious Holy Spirit.  Now it was time for these new converts to be baptized in water.  This was our first baptizing;  we had it at the Catawba River in Mount Holly.  Matthew 28:19,20 says, "Go ye, therefore, and teach al nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen"  This was August of 1971.
    We inquired about getting our church incorporated through a lawyer, and also about getting our charter and a North Carolina Tax number.  This was in September of 1971.  The Lord completely worked out the financial need for these important matters.  This request was granted, and our church was organized under the laws of North Carolina.  Praise God!  When we had our 1972 January business meeting of the church, it was decided that the church would go ahead and buy the church building and property.  Jesus had directed us that this was His permanent station for us until further notice.
    After this meeting, we had an ordination service to ordain my husband according to the laws of North Carolina and Revival Tabernacle, Inc.  The Lord had called him to minister when he was 14 years of age.  He failed to fulfill that commission at that time.  Instead, he joined the Army: but, Praise God, the Lord dealt with him, and with His sweet Spirit, drew Him into the greatest army of all, God's Army.  Truly the Lord had commissioned him to preach the Word and to win souls for His kingdom.  What a privilege to work in the King's army.  You receive the greatest benefits!
    Our congregation was not large and we knew we had to have the Holy Spirit's direction in this business transaction concerning this church.  My husband prayed and the Lord led him to ask Rev. Smith if his church would carry the loan for Revival Tabernacle Church.  This was an unusual request, but God was in it.  Brother Ted Smith said he would take it before the elders and deacons, which he did.  They proposed to carry the loan for Revival Tabernacle,  Inc., with a decreasing rat of interest., the selling price being $20,500.00.  This loan was to carry for years.  We would pay them $200.00 a month until the loan was paid.  We knew God was still in this, and He certainly had a plan for this church and people, Praise the Lord!  Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose."  Rev Smith informed us that their sanctuary had been completed and the original church furniture for the sanctuary was to be sold at an asking price of $600.00.  We had the $600.00 to pay my brother back for the VW bus.  Since there was such a need here, we prayed and asked the Lord to move upon George's heart to just donate the money we owed him.  That's exactly what happened!  "When Elijah prayed for rain after his prayer preciously had shut up the Heaven for such a long time, sure enough, it rained!" John 15:7 says, "If ye abide in me, and my Words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you."  It was good to work and put those pews back where they had been in the first place.  It sure was wonderful to sit in the pews and stay put.  (We had a few accidents with the chairs, slipping out of them on the wooden floor.)
    From the very beginning of this work, God laid it on my heart to hold prayer services on Tuesday's at 9:00 a.m.  In our church in St. Louis, many prayers were answered and souls were saved because of the travailing, intercessory prayer that was made.  Unless Zion travails, sons and daughters will not be born into the God.  Prayer is vital for our churches.  James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,.  That you may be healed."  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
    God continues to increase the souls at Revival Tabernacle for His honor and glory.  We felt it necessary to reach out and have other ministries in the church.  Some of these are as follows:
 

 

Sunday School Children's Church Royal Rangers Missionnettes Ambassador's for Christ (Youth) Tuesday Prayer 9:00 a.m. Thursday Prayer 6:30 p.m. Daily Prayer 5:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. Revival Tabernacle Choir Men's Fellowship Hallelujah Women Stanley Christian Academy Angelcare Daycare Vision Bible College Bus Ministry Nursing Home Ministry Prison and Jail Ministry Hallelujah Mini Bible Correspondence Study Course

REVIVAL TABERNACLE EXTENSIONS: Lincolnton, North Carolina Rockingham, North Carolina Mount Holly, North Carolina Cherryville, North Carolina