Saturday afternoon at the KY COGOP State Convention, Billy Wilson was preaching about affecting generation to generation. He spoke a lady that his great-grandmother ministered to in a two week revival. He said during this revival a little girl was the only person saved and to hear his great-grandmother tell this story you have thought it was the worst revival ever. A few years after this revival a lady came up to her and asked her about this revival. His great-grandmother told her the samething, that it was not a very good revival. The lady told her, "Please don't say that because I am the young girl that was saved during that revival and I am called to preach". To make a long, AWESOME story short....this lady married and when her and her husband retired that became evangelists. Bro. Wilson (Billy) (by the time this lady retired) had been married around a year. His wife at the time was not filled with the Holy Spirit but longed for it. She had been seeking in every revival, would be the first in the altar but it was not happening. One night this lady and her husband came to minister in a revival and Bro. Wilson's wife was the first in the altar. That night this lady lead his wife to the Holy Spirit in roughly 10 minutes. This past year, his wife and him were in the hospital room of his father, Bro. Alva Wilson. Bro. Billy's wife told him that maybe they should read scriptures and sing to him. He said they read and sang until their singing went into worship. That night Bro. Alva went to be with the Lord. The point of me trying to retell this story is to show you how generation to generation was reached. It started with a great-grandmother who lead a little girl to Jesus, then that little girl lead the great-grandmother's great-grandson's wife to the Holy Spirit and that wife prompted by the Holy Spirit her husband to read and sing over his father.
This story, even though it is probably not every detail or contains all of the information, really touched my heart and made me realize something. I, too, have been affected by a different generation. Even though, the story I am about to give is not within my family, I have had family members pour into me but my story is about someone else who knew what it meant to connect generation to generation.
During Saturday's session, my heart was overjoyed at the thought of Bro. Alva Wilson. My generation referred to him as "Poppa Wilson". I can NEVER remember going to a camp that he was not there. He jumped, he danced, he laughed, he cried, he preached, he taught, he laid hands on us, he brought us into correction and most importantly HE LOVED US UNCONDITIONALLY! Tears began to stream down my face as I thought of all the work and love he poured into my generation and how he affected my life. On Sunday when they honored the deceased pastors, he was honored and they requested that anyone that had been affected by his ministry to stand. I had a WOW moment right there because as I looked around, I saw young and old standing. "Poppa Wilson" knew what it meant to reach generation to generation. He ministered to each one no matter what the cost. I think we can learn something about his faithfulness and willingness to follow the Holy Spirit!
I say all of this to say that, no matter what generation you are in you are being affected. My heart was grieved today as I read about people from other generations trying to reach a younger generation and they were shut down. How can we, as young people, expect to grow if we cannot take the correction of previous generations? It breaks my heart because I am thankful for "Poppa Wilson" who called me into correction and prayed for me. Without his direction and support, I am not sure I would be the same person I am today. Through camp I found my calling and my passion. I am positive without his leadership in that camp, it would not have been the same.
YOUNG PEOPLE, cling to the older generation! Sure they may call you out on somethings, but it is ultimately for YOUR good! Remember, they are older than you and they are wiser! Even though we may not see it that way, it is for our benefit and correction!
I leave you with a picture I found from a camp friend on Facebook! It may not be the best, but it is special! Thank you, Poppa Wilson for all you have done in my life and lessons you have taught me. May your legacy continue to grow within me!
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