Time to Say Goodbye. Part I of V

I didn’t know why we left the church to attend another. At the time I was just a child, 9 years of age. I was clueless of what was going on. My family began to attend the Assemblies of God church in 2002. It seemed the same as the other church but not as kooky. People still spoke in tongues and fell when the pastor laid his hand upon their foreheads. The only thing that was new was the place, the city, and the people. I did not mind going to a new church. The only thing that bothered me was that my parents had not given me the reason to leave.

Soon, other family members of mine began to attend this church. In the summer of 2003 the church organized an event, an “encounter.” It was a kids’ encounter over a weekend.

An “encounter” in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches is a retreat-like event that is meant for every individual to experience and ‘encounter’ God and His power/presence. Other than the amazing and exceeding amount of delicious food, what I remember were two things: 1) The teaching against rock n’ roll and 2) the “baptism of the Holy Spirit.” (That rock n roll session was all about how secular music was devil music and how it contained subliminal messages. I don’t think that worked because I became a huge fan of metal, punk, and the hardcore scene.)

That event was the epicenter; the start of what led me to where I am now. In the encounter I “spoke in tongues.”

Before I continue sharing my experience let me share some difference Pentecostal views on speaking in tongues.

1. 1.   A Christian does not have the Spirit unless he is baptized in the Holy Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues. Some may even say that a person is not a Christian if they do not speak in tongues.
2. 2 The evidence of being baptized in the Holy Spirit is speaking in tongues or to prophesy. Not necessary a need to speak but is encouraged.
3. 3 Then there are some that see it as a spiritual gift like any other. Although they may emphasis the importance of speaking in tongues to edify oneself in spiritual maturity, it is not enforced as much as others.

The church I attended would fall between points 2 and 3. There may be more but those are the differences I saw growing up. Never really got into Pentecostal Theology or Doctrines. One thing is for sure though, Pentecostals are centered and focused in speaking in tongues that they elevate the gift more than others; and give praise to those who speak in tongues at times. This sometimes brings discouragement and lament for those who have not spoken in tongues. Some Pentecostal churches would preach (maybe still preach) that you have not reached spiritual maturity unless you have been baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit, that is, speaking in tongues.

Back to my story…

On the Saturday night of the encounter all the children were gathered. The pastor of our church preached (don’t remember what he preached about) and when he finished he told us to stand. He instructed us to lift our hands and pray to Holy Spirit to come. I was used to this stuff already so I began to pray and to get emotional. The pastor began to pray for the children laying his hand upon each of their foreheads. I heard the murmurs of prayer. The calm and tranquil music sedated me. The lyrics of the song cried out for the Holy Spirit to come. When he came to me he said in Spanish to speak.

            “Speak the words that come to your mind. Let them out.” He said.

Nothing came up, I just starting thinking about letters of the alphabet. Whatever letters were put together in my mind I said them. I opened my eyes and looked at him and saw him smiling. He was happy I spoke. I looked around and children were on the floor crying and also speaking. Others were praying for each other. But what I could remember clearly is how I felt. I can only describe it as a spiritual euphoric tranquility.

Being a child that questioned things, I began to question this experience. I began to question why I could not do particular things. Questions constantly ran through my mind. I was always in my mind wondering and thinking as a child (still do). I was very introverted and still am. Everything I was told about God and Christianity did not make sense to me. All these questions I kept to myself. By the age of 12 I became an agnostic and shortly, after I became an atheist.