Here we present an Interview between Pastor Lewis Nelson and Sis Marilyn White from our Newsletter Archives.

Sis Marilyn/ Pastor Nelson what church did you attend before you came to the Message?

Pastor Nelson/ I learned about the Lord Jesus Christ in the Christian Brethren Church , that’s when I gave my life to the Lord Jesus Christ at the age of 16 years old.

Q/ How long were you fellowshipping at the Christian Brethren Church before you came over to the message ?

A/ Well, I left Christian Brethren Church and I was Interdenominational. I was with the Church of God of Prophecy. I was the Pastor of the church when I was 19 years old. I was not a member of that church because I believed it was wrong to join denomination. Then I left Church of God of Prophecy and remained independent.  I heard about the message around 1964/1965, I can’t remember the exact date right now. However, I had believe in water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and that there’s only one God manifested in three offices, Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.

I heard about the message through a brother by the name of Jerry Rowe from North Carolina. He brought the message into Guyana, and I was in the first group that heard about it. When I heard about the message I thought it was the same thing that I had believe, but then the Lord showed me that this was a different message so I accepted William Branham as the Prophet to the twentieth century.

Q/ You said that God told you this message was something different, could you tell me some more about that?

A/ Well the difference is this, God showed me that it’s not just water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; William Branham came to prepare a Bride for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and that was different from what I was preaching. I was only emphasizing on water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the Godhead.

Q/ After you came to the message, did you belong to a church in the message or did you just keep preaching independently?

A/ I never pastored  a church when I came to the message, I just kept preaching around. I was a member of one church in a place called Kitty, Guyana. But I never pastored any church in Guyana.

Q/ I suppose the brother from North Carolina brought books and tapes with him.

A/ Yes, he brought books and tapes .

Q/ The Word must have been different to what you were teaching and I am sure that God must have shown you something more and taught you more. What I would like to know is this, how did you feel ?

A/ Well that’s a very good question.  I remember when I accepted this message it was like I just had been converted.

Q/ You felt like a whole new person?

A/ Yes, it was a whole different atmosphere when I accepted this message in it’s Fullness.

Q/ You said you received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost before you came to the message.

A/ Yes I received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost before I ever heard about the Message of the Hour.

Q/ Did you always know that you were going to be a preacher?

A/ No, I never knew that I would be a preacher.  My father always told me I am going to be nothing, I was always shy and by myself. I never thought I would have been a preacher.

Q/ Are you still shy?

A/ Well I still am, but when the Spirit of the Lord comes upon me it makes the difference. When the Spirit of the Lord anoints me in the pulpit I don’t feel shy anymore.

Q/ When did you migrate from Guyana to Canada ?

A/ I left Guyana in 1969, traveled to a few places in the United States of America, and finally to New York city. Then I returned to Guyana, and on May 5th 1974 left to take up my permanent status in Canada.

Q/ How did you come to decide on Canada and making it your permanent residence? As the word says the footsteps of the righteous are ordered by God. Did you pray about it?

A/ Well I didn’t really want to come to Canada; I didn’t want to leave Guyana.  I told my wife that if we get our permanent status in Canada then myself and the children will be traveling together.  If this happened I would take it as God’s will, but I didn’t really want to come.

Q/ So it happened, because you are here.  Did you search for a church to attend, were you still interested in preaching?

A/ Well, when I first came my desire was to have a church here in Canada that believes the Full Message of Malachi 4. I met a minister brother I knew from Guyana and we started a work and we both would preach but neither of us was the Pastor.

Q/ Did you have a vision in your mind as to what kind of a church you would have?

A/ I wanted a church that would believe the Full Word, live the Full Word and also the emphasis is on “Let the Love of Christ be manifested among the believers”, that was my greatest desire.  Also to see the signs and wonders and miracles according to the Bible in St. John 14:12 and Hebrews 13:8 be seen manifested in the group or the church that I had in mind.

Q/ How soon afterward did you start your own church,  because you said the brother that you were preaching with, neither of you assumed the role as the Pastor?

A/ Yes, one time the people were asking who was the Pastor because none of us was the Pastor. I went to pray.  I asked God who was the Pastor. God gave me a dream and in that dream I heard an audible Voice saying “ You are the Pastor and the burden of the people will be on your shoulder”.

In Part 2, Sister Gail continues interviewing the Pastor.