Stories About John Robert Stevens

I had some experiences in Washington, Iowa that I think could display what a liberator and friend John really was for so many of us:

One came in 1974. I had just had a miraculous meeting with God earlier that year that caused me to become a Christian. The Lord was trying to bring me into the Living Word fellowship, but had to take me through a process before I walked in it. I was working in a kingdom business, and my boss kept telling me about John Stevens. He gave me a couple of This Weeks, but they just went over my head…until John came to Washington. I decided to go to a service and see him, and took along with me a young girl who was attending the same Pentecostal church I was attending at the time.

The worship in the Holy Spirit absolutely floored me, but when John spoke, he talked about Satan being cast down, how there was no longer any place for him in Heaven (Rev. 12:8-9). I was awestruck; I had never heard anything so liberating as that word. On the way home, the young lady and I discussed the Word, and she had a few “critiques” to say. I remember looking at her like “Did we go to the same service?” Needless to say, I didn’t speak with her again and began attending the Washington, Iowa church.

Later on that year, I was knocked unconscious in an auto accident. I had some hospital bills to pay, and got a settlement that left me with $500.00 after expenses. John was taking an offering for the church roof in Washington, and after many had pledged, I lifted my hand and pledged $500.00. John stopped, looked at me, and asked, “Are you sure?” I nodded my head, and he made it a point to say, “God bless you.”

Another time, in 1975 or so, I was playing trumpet during a worship service in Washington. I was being a little timid because I had not gotten a lot of encouragement… anyway, John came in through the side door and was walking past me toward the pulpit, and stopped and stared at me. I didn’t really know John, so I was kind of nervous, but kept playing. He stepped up to me, looked me right in the eyes, and said, “A little louder.” You couldn’t have shut me up after that.

Thank you, John.