My pastor said to me, "Don't go back there to that church that man is a devil, everyone in that church is a liar and they are all devils". I was just a young man then but I had been a part of the United Pentecostal Church for about 5 years now and I could preach anyone into a corner with the Oneness doctrine. We believed and preached that if you were not baptized in water in the name Of Jesus Christ "only" that you would split hell wide open. At the age of 17; I could out talk and out quote the favorite "oneness" scriptures faster than some seasoned older soldiers.

However, I could not understand why my Pastor would say such a thing about those people in the Assembly of God 120 miles away, whom he had never met. They didn't seem like devils to me and I had not caught any of them in a lie. I left that UPC on Broadway in St. Louis, Missouri that night never to return. I was not mad and had no intention of quitting my church on Broadway, nor leaving the UPC. I was as strong in my beliefs of the Jesus Only Doctrine as ever, but I never once went back.

My stepfather had a 1949 Studebaker Pick Up and we squeezed into the cab to make the 120-mile trip to our little house in the country. Mother loved the woods and the country air. Centerville had a population of about 300 counting every dog and the fleas on their back. I wanted to go to church and as we came into the edge of town I saw a church, and made my plans right then.

In those day there was church services on Saturday nights, and that's where I was that next evening. Hitching a ride on Highway 21 was easy; farmers and country folks would pick up a boy in those days. I entered the concrete block church and sat way in the back, being my first time, didn't want to be bold. I was early and alone except for a skinny country preacher who was approaching me at that very moment I sat down. What an experience I was about to embark upon.

My reason for attending this small town Assembly was not that I was going to quit the UPC, but rather so I would be in church on weekends when we were away from our home church this 120 miles. This is what I told my Pastor in ST. Louis at the UPC and that is when he called them all devils. Yes I was disappointed but still had no intentions to change my beliefs.

As I sat there in that little assembly, watching a country preacher walk toward me I expected him to welcome me but never did I expect what else he said. "Hello, my name is Carl Stroder, what's yours?" I told him my name and he continued, "I'm the Pastor here, I am your servant, if you need anything, Spiritual, Physical or Financial, please let me know so I can help you."

Wow, that's a different approach, It would be putting it lightly for me to say he blew my mind, especially with the "financial" offer! I didn't think I needed spiritual help because we Oneness Members are on top of it, we have it all together, we have "ARRIVED", and it is we who help the rest of the world, including small town Assembly preachers. Never, ever do we offer financial help to our congregations in those days, not in the form of advice or gifts. Us preachers were to ask for money but never offer it.

This preacher introduced me to a family of five girls and one boy ages 3 through 17 and they are the ones that carried me to my home in their truck after church was over, others and sometimes Brother Stroder would come get me. Love, just simple love, friends and fellowship, no condemnation toward my UPC Church in St. Louis. Brother Stroder soon became my Pastor in the country and Brother XXXXX remained my Pastor in the city at my UPC home church even though I never returned.

For the next several months I attended the country church as often as I could and soon we moved to our house in the country. When that happened I could also attend the med-week service. I had quit school in the 5th grade and was at this time not working anywhere. It wasn't long until Brother Stroder persuaded me to return to and finish grade school. He was the high School Coulnser and made arrangements with the Principal for me. To make the story a little shorter; soon my Mother moved back to St. Louis and I moved in with Rev. & Mrs. Carl Stroder and their boys, two at that time.

I finished my grade schooling living with a "Trinity" preacher, eating at his table, helping with his boys and paying him only $10.00 per week. Sister Stroder was a wonderful cook, she also done my laundry and ironing. A bargain even in 1954-55.

I went where they went, I saw them at home in Pajamas and housecoats and in church fellowship meeting with suits and tie. They were the same, I mean they did not change their attitude at home, only the clothing was changed. At work, church or play Brother Stroder was the same all the time; I had never seen this before.

About four years later I was back in St. Louis, Missouri working full time and attending an Assembly there when I could not go to my little country church for the week end. One day on the radio as I listened to a Gospel Music Station, I heard an announcement of what they called, "The Fourth Saturday Night Gospel Sing". I love Southern Gospel Music, so that Saturday night I went to the Maryland Pentecostal Church, not realizing it too was "Trinity", a taboo place for a "oneness" to be, no matter the reason!

I enjoyed my self extremely and several of the members invited me back the next morning for Sunday school. Ten AM Sunday I was again at this old theater building, converted to a worship place. Rev C.L. Morrison was pastor and he didn't ask me for anything, another one of those "weird trinity preachers" that offers you help, wanting to be your servant. This became my home church in the City.

I did not reject my country home church. I soon met my future father-in-law and many other wonderful "trinity" Holy Spirit filled Christians and not a one of them tried to talk me out of my "Oneness" beliefs. By this time I had all but forgotten my UPC home church, but not the doctrine. Then in 1957 I fell in love with and married to a wonderful "trinity" girl. (At this writing we have been together 41 years).

I was drafted into active duty (Army) in 1959. I was shipped to New York City, soon my wife joined me and we spend two years in the big apple, I was stationed just off Manhattan on Governors Island First Army HDQ. We met some of those "trinity" people and attended church at two different Assemblies one of which is known as "Independent Assembly". Neither of the pastors and none of the members ever made judgment against me for my "Oneness Water Baptism". Both of the ministers offered to be my servant. By this time I am in HEAVEN; just think I have servants waiting to serve me, two in Missouri and two in New York.

After my discharge from active duty in 1962 I returned to St. Louis and my wonderful Church. It had relocated to a new building and the name was changed to Gateway Temple. The pastor was the same, the people were the same, the spirit of the church was the same wonderful loving spirit it was over two years ago. This man known as Brother Morrison ran his legs off getting me out of trouble for the next several years. Seems this oneness boy didn't have it all together after all and had to call on a trinity preacher to get me straightened out. Never once did he refuse to help me, never did he try to convince me of the triune Godhead or talk me into being baptized over again.

My wife and I attended Gateway Temple faithfully. The second row left side on the isle seat was my spot. Bother Morrison is a lover of people. If you don't like being loved then stay away from him and all his people, for as he does so do his congregation? Then it happened; I cannot remember what he was preaching on. It was not water baptism, nor was it the GodHead. Suddenly at that evening service I don't recall Sat or Sun, it happened. I SAW THE LIGHT OF THE TRIUNE GOD!

It was like "OH Yea!" So plain so simple. The Holy Ghost had touched me for sure. Immediately after service I went to Brother Morrison and ask him if he would baptize me. His delight was obvious and in a week or so there was a baptismal service, I was in it. Now it is daylight and I can see. Praise God for men and women that know the truth and use wisdom in their ministry. I am now an Ordained Minister of the Full Gospel Faith (TRINITY)!

This is but a small part of my story. Many things that went on in the UPC during my time there, I have left out because of length. The United Pentecostal Church is preaching a false doctrine. I have used my experience from my time with them and their favorite scriptures to minister to UPC members that are dissatisfied and also to those that are not yet indoctrinated to a hard shell. I, like my "servants" do not try to talk anyone from the UPC. I just love them and pray for them.

It is my belief that some of the members of the UPC will be in Heaven; if they have put their faith in the Blood of Jesus Christ and not in their formula of water baptism as is taught by the leaders of the UPC.

If you have friends and relatives in the UPC, remember how I was won over, LOVE, PRAYER AND PATIENCE. That's how Jesus won souls!

Note: I have done in-depth studies on the favorite scriptures of the UPC.

There are some things you need to know if you are UPC and desire to see the light, or a pastor and desire to know these. You may contact me and I will share them.

Copyright 1998 Norman Fikes All rights reserved

RESTRICTED: For permission to use this work, contact me at the addresses below There is no charge to Full Gospel Ministries of the Trinity Faiths. I do retain uninhibited rights.

Norman Fikes
PO Box 1233
Victoria, Texas 77902
512-573-3680
norbob@viptx.net

IT IS FORBIDDEN TO USE THIS WORK OR ANY PART, IN ANY MANNER THAT WOULD SEEM TO DRAW MINDS INTO BELIEVING IN AGREEMENT WITH THE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH (ONENESS/JESUS ONLY) OR ANY OTHER DOCTRINES THAT DENY THE "TRINITY" TRIUNE GOD. FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS WILL BE INFORCED TO THEIR FULL EXTENT.