My only experience with
church was attending the obligatory weddings, funerals and christenings.
When I was 15, I had the opportunity to become a Christian through a Cliff
Richards crusade. I made a commitment, yet somehow fell through the net. Then again at 21, however, the preacher's message was delivered at an ear
shattering volume with little relevance to the life of ordinary people.
I made some bad choices in my life and by the time I was 31, there was a cry
in my heart 'there must be more than this!' My mother was a Christian,
dying with cancer, and I found myself taking her to church 3 times each
week. Looking back, I can see the humour of the Lord. It was another 8
weeks before I finally gave Jesus my life. Overnight, I was a
different person. I had at last, a sense of purpose. I had found
my destiny. In April 1984 a whole new world opened up for me. I
devoured Christian books, particularly those about the Holy Spirit and
healing. Over the next 2-5 years a vision was birthed in me; a desire
for ministry - a call to preach the gospel.
In 1997 Haven Church was born.
In May 1999, while at a conference in Toronto, I met Lori. At the time
I didn't know who she was or the significance of that meeting. In
Sept. 1999 our church invited Lori and a team to minister at Haven.
Those two weeks changed the destiny of our church. With the Lord's
leading, Lori was invited to co-pastor with myself, and in August 2000 she
left Toronto for the shores of England. As the church family grew, God
provided us with the beautiful building we now own.
It hasn't always been easy
to lead a church. There were times when I wanted to give up, but I
know that God called me for such a time as this, despite the opposition.
My dream for our church is to see a family of believers, growing together in
the love and power of the Holy Spirit; a home where others can come to
find and receive life, healing and purpose: a church actively seeking
the Kingdom of God here on earth.
-Chris
Lori Lawlor
I
asked Jesus into my heart when I was three years of age. By His grace and mercy, He has kept
me all of my life. When I was young my Dad (John Arnott) used to take me to Kathryn
Kuhlman meetings, the early days of Benny Hinn's ministry in Toronto, and
many other meetings where the presence and power of the Holy Spirit were
evident. I am so grateful to my Mom and Dad for my Christian heritage and upbringing.
In January 1994, content raising my family in Dallas, TX. the Holy Spirit
broke out in my father's church. Since my dad was and is the Founding Pastor of the
Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship I knew I could trust him and I knew that what was
referred to as the Toronto Blessing, was definitely God! I remember a
woman sitting near the front one night, laughing loudly and disturbingly.
What surprised me was that no one asked her to be quiet. I must admit that
it annoyed me, and yet almost at once I heard the Holy Spirit say to me 'You
have come for me, so mind your own business.' The
following evening this same woman gave a testimony of her fight with
depression over many years. She had spent thousands of dollars and
been to many doctors - to no avail. For the first time in 20 years, she
laughed! I spent this first week in Toronto, mostly on the floor -
powerfully touched by God. We moved back to Toronto in 1995 and for
the next 5 years worked in and enjoyed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at TACF. I witnessed many things that stretched me to know that the power of
God is much bigger than my experience.
I have known for many years that there was a call on my life - just did not
know how or where. In August 2000, after many prophetic words and
confirmations from the Lord, I moved to England to help lead Haven.
Two women leaders of a church
is certainly a sign and a wonder, but I know God is raising up an army of
men and women, who are brave, and love Jesus enough - to follow His heart
and commission, and heal the sick, comfort the hurting, declare His good
news and bring the lost home. I continue to want a place where He will
come, where his presence and power reside.
His grace is sufficient for me!
