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Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International
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He remembers, "As the music swelled through the room the atmosphere grew bright, and to my amazement the ceiling seemed to recede then disappear. I found myself staring into the sky - a daytime sky, although outside it must have been pitch dark. Then all at once Rose stopped playing, her fingers still resting on the keys. She began speaking in tongues and then interpreted. "My son, you are in the centre of my will. I am leading you by your hand. Look not to the left nor to the right, but continue in the way in which you are going." As she spoke a remarkable thing began to happen. Although still on my knees, I felt as if I were rising - leaving my body - moving high above the earth, able to see the entire country, from west to east. What I saw was startling. My sight focussed on millions and millions of men standing shoulder to shoulder, lifeless, miserable faces set, eyes staring straight ahead, unblinking, unseeing. Then the vision changed. The world seemed to turn slowly beneath my gaze. I saw the continents of South America, Africa, Europe, Asia. Once more those startling close ups and everywhere the same: brown faces, black faces, white faces - every one of them rigid and wretched. Suddenly Rose began to speak again, not knowing what I was seeing. "My son, what you see next is going to happen very soon." The earth was turning a second time. Beneath me again were those millions upon millions of men, but what a difference this time! Heads were raised. Eyes shone with joy. Hands were lifted towards heaven. These men who had been so isolated - each in his prison of self - now were linked in a community of love and adoration. "Demos Shakarian took this as a sign that God was calling him to continue this work of evangelising working and business men. Funds began to come in, the Voice magazine which had testimonies of men in them began and FGBM chapters began to mushroom all over the United States. Today FGBM fellowships are all over the world and up to 20,000 men can attend some of their big conventions. Their aim is to hold evangelistic gatherings in secular venues like hotels and clubs, where those who don't go to church will feel at home. There with the format of a nice meal, people are given the chance to hear testimonies of the amazing things God can do in people's lives and be prayed with for healing and other issues. For further details of FGBMFI contact PO Box 11, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QP. The Happiest People On Earth (the full story of FGBMFI) is available
from Goodnews Books www.goodnewsbooks.net. Price £5.99 plus
75pence postage and packing.
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The
Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International was founded by
an Armenian American businessman called Demos Shakarian in 1951. He
felt drawn to set up something that would bring businessmen together
to share their faith, as he felt they would be more open to listening
to their peers than preachers talking about God. With the help of
a charismatic evangelistic called Oral Roberts, he set up the first
meeting. It did not get off to a good start and so by the end of 1952
he decided to dissolve the fellowship.The night before he did so,
he decided to stay up all night praying and seeking guidance from
God what to do. At three o'clock in the morning his wife Rose, knowing
his anguish came to join him and sat at the organ and began to play
for him.
