It happened on a Friday, around ten o’clock in the evening. The meeting went as normal. Despite the room being large, 30 people nearly squashed in.

Assessing the performance of the evangelistic work, Pastor Samuel, leader of the church, said to me, “Edir… I think you were not called by God. Your ministry is very weak. You should dedicate yourself to your job. From tomorrow on, I am going to take care of that church and you stay only with that special work at Ridan Cinema.

Those words struck like a bomb inside of me; once more, I felt the pain of rejection, despise, shame and humiliation. For many years, I had pursued the dream of serving only my Lord. But now, before those pastors, auxiliary pastors and assistants, my passion for souls was being violently taken away.

I was not a pastor, but only an assistant thirsty for souls. Nevertheless, I was respected by others.

The words of the senior pastor were so harsh that he became embarrassed. Soon he called upon everyone to pray.

My pain wasn’t in losing the special work I was doing, but in being considered unable to win souls. It hurt a lot.

Deeply disheartened, I got down on my knees and spoke to God, saying, “My Father…”

The pain was so intense that I didn’t know what to say or ask. So, I repeated the phrase, “My Father…”

At that moment, I felt great joy, as if a fountain was gushing out from inside of me. I was so happy that I began to laugh. It increased more and more each time to the point of bursting into laughter. Everyone interrupted their prayers, looking at me puzzled. They wanted to know the reason for that happiness. They’d never seen anything like that—nor had I!

Nobody dared to ask, for they knew the Spirit of God was responsible for that.

But what drew my attention was that that laughter began when I said, “My Father…” I remember like it happened yesterday. It was like He had taken me in His arms and said, “Don’t be afraid, I have chosen you…”

Two years later, the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) was born.

Only those who are born of the Spirit have the privilege to call God Father and receive His attention.

Please, read Isaiah 41.9-13 and you will understand my experience with God better.