MANITOBA/SASKATCHEWAN

FIRST - MEN'S  ADVANCE

by: Ron C. Johnston

On Friday, October 26, members of Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International (FGBMFI) from the Winnipeg, Portage-la-Prairie, Manitoba; Regina, Weyburn and Moosomin, Saskatchewan chapters assembled at the Circle Square Ranch, in the hills just south of Austin, Manitoba. Forty-five men were blessed as they listened to the head speaker, Clare Braun. This event was something new, the first ever Men's Advance where men from both provinces got together in Christian fellowship and support.

(Photo to the right:  Regina Member - Bill Tarr, packing and getting ready to leave.)

Friday evening Speaker, Clare Braum, spoke about how his seperation from his wife was linked with Adam and Eve. How "God had given us everything and the enemy interfered . Then God created some- thing out of a mess." Clare gotten into alcohol. 

His big turnaround came when his brother (who was not on good terms with Clare) went to a conference in Idoc, Kansas. While there, the speaker pointed to his brother and gave him a word from God. He said, "Your Prodical Brother, I have not forgotten him." At the time, Clare was 1400 miles away at home in Canada.

After two calls from his brother, the Holy Spirit said, "Now is the time". Clare decided to attend the conference and take his twenty-seven year old son with him.

When they arrived, once again the Holy Spirit told Clare, "Today is a new beginning, you might as well go to the the front seat". The speaker, Bob Hartley, came to the microphone and prayed for about 20 minutes. Then he said, "Father I thank you for the bros from Canada."  Clare, until that time, did not know God's Love but received it at that conference.

On the 3 day drive coming home, the holy spirit spoke to Clare, "Clare, do you know what caused the breakup of your marriage? A husband should love his wife. What you are giving, is what you will get. Search the Word of God."  When Clare arrived home he called his wife, told her of his encounter with God and asked her for a reconciliation.  She refused saying she wanted to wait and see if it was real.  Several years later they reconciled.

Saturday morning and evening Clare continued on how God worked in his life.

Saturday evening we had our special meal, followed by another evening session with Clare. Sunday morning, the men all joined together for Communion, after which Clare gave his full testimony. We then had lunch and it was time to pack and get ready for departure, homeward bound. As always, it was too short and time flew by so quickly.