They called it the “Canvas Tabernacle.” Lester and Howard set up the large tent in Brisbane, Australia, for their first outreach to the lost in their travels together. Night after night, Lester preached the gospel, speaking of the saving power of the blood of Christ, and hundreds of people came to the altar to receive salvation for their souls and healing for their bodies. What an exciting way to begin the new ministry!
One night, a man approached the altar in a great deal of pain and with many questions concerning supernatural healing. The pain in this man’s side and back had confounded his doctors for years. When Lester explained God’s healing power, the man reacted with fear and uneasiness. “The pain may appear to be gone, but it will return tonight,” was the gentleman’s response, revealing his inner conflict of faith versus fear. With conviction, Lester reassured him that God had done a complete healing.
Roberts Liardon tells us that the next evening, the same man arrived at the revival meeting, grinning from ear to ear. “Preacher, I am healed! I have not had a pain in my body since last night!” he announced.119 As a result of this and other healing testimonies, the faith of the people grew each day. A young woman with a cancerous sore on her nose approached the altar for prayer; within days, the sore was healed completely.
The time seemed to pass swiftly, and Lester and Howard’s last evening in Australia was filled with praises to God for His blessings on their ministry there.
