Michael Stoelting's Personal Testimony

It was a blessing to grow up in a Christian home.  My mother and father were active in the Bicknell Pilgrim Holiness Church.  My father was one of my Sunday school teachers.  I was glad when I got to graduate from his class.  Now I realize he was one of the best teachers I had.

My first day on Orleans Camp grounds was as a boy of about 10 years old.  It is one I will not forget, my first fist fight took place.  I am pretty sure we both got saved before the end of camp.  I have been blest to be a part of Indiana South District for 58 years.   

While attending a revival at Sullivan Wesleyan Church it seemed God was speaking to me every night about sharing the good news.  I believe in the call of GOD.  A short time later District Superintendant C.M. Swayzee asked if we would pray and consider going to Fort Branch to be their pastor.  We felt GOD leading us that direction and we were there for three years and then went to Orleans Wesleyan Church for 10 years.  The following 5 years we filled in at Otwell, Mitchell, and Bicknell.  While filling in at Bicknell they asked us to become their pastor and we consented and stayed for five years.  In 1997 we were called to Forest Hills Wesleyan Church where we just completed 20 years.

Marlys and I have been married for 48 years this August.  She has faithfully served by my side.  Her ability to play the piano, her hunger for GOD and her prayer life has been a blessing to our ministry.  We have two children; Michelle & husband Patrick and they attend Greensburg Wesleyan Church.  Chris & his wife Rachel and they attend Forest Hills Wesleyan Church.   We have seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

I remember a message preached by Bud Bence at one of our family camps.  He said that as children of GOD we can ask for daily bread but too often we ask for candy instead.  I don’t think I have asked for more than my needs to be met, but I do know GOD has blessed my family and I abundantly more than I could have ever hoped for.