The Journey God Chose: By Al Brock as Told to Douglas V. Jewson, M.D.

Copyright © 2013 by Douglas V. Jewson, M.D.

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ISBN: 978-1-4759-6863-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4759-6864-4 (ebk)

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iUniverse rev. date: 1/03/2013

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to God, the Holy Spirit, my Comforter, Counselor, Guide, and Helper! When I met the Holy Spirit and became filled with His Presence, Jesus, my Savior, was glorified and my journey became filled with a love, joy, and power I had never known before.

Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Acknowledgments

A Tribute

Introduction—No Repeats

My Early Childhood

The Junior High School Years

The High School Years

A Turning Point In My Life

The Navy Years

Another Major Decision

The College Years: Florida Southern College

The College Years—University Of Florida

Garrett Theological Seminary

The Arrival Of Bunny On The Scene

A Digression: Bunny’s Story

First Methodist Church Of Winter Park: Associate Pastor

Clearview St. Petersburg—My First Appointment As Senior Pastor

Lakewood

Segregation

Ortega United Methodist Church

Letters From Many Who Experienced Spiritual Renewal

St. Luke’s

Victorious Ministry Through Christ

Journeys Of Paul, And The Holy Land

Overseas Travel With Vmtc

Norland Umc In Miami

First United Methodist Church Of St. Cloud

First United Methodist Church In Zephyrhills

First United Methodist Church In Dade City

Promise Keepers

Calvary Assembly In Dade City

Penney Retirement Community

United Methodist Church In Starke

New Beginning Christian Fellowship

Lost On Mt. Pisgah

Fire In The Apartment

The Third Miracle: Under Our Car

Book Ii: Poetry

A collection of poems given to me by God during my morning quiettimes over a number of years.

FOREWORD

A Consecrated Life and Father

Those who know my Dad know him as a consecrated man of God. God began to set him apart at an early age. Even in the womb, his (club) feet were touched by God, signifying (I believe) his call to preach the Gospel. As is often the case, troubles and trials help to form our callings. His childhood was marred by the tragedy of losing his Dad at the age of nine and yet God was preparing him to be a father to the fatherless—both natural and spiritual. As a young pastor, he chose to be a father to the fatherless when he and my Mother adopted my younger sister, Betsy. And now after over 50 years in the ministry, he has become the spiritual father to many. Though painfully aware of his own shortcomings as a Dad, to me, in actuality he is a quiet monument of strength and grace—modeling a true father’s heart, always loving his wife, praying daily for his family and sensitive to needs, constantly reaching out in practical ways. He has won our hearts many times over!

A Gifted Preacher and Wise Leader

After 55 years in pastoral ministry, Grandpa Al (as his four grandsons call him) is endeared to thousands who were impacted by his preaching and prayer counseling. His Chicago Garret Seminary professor told his soon-to-be wife (my mom) that she would never get tired of hearing him preach. His Christ-centered sermons were like precious jewels to his congregations, literally stimulating them to love and good deeds. I was impacted at an early age by his sermons which were always filled with stories. In my rebellious teens his sermons were a life-line to my lost soul—sometimes the only means left to my Dad for communicating to his prodigal son.

Dad was also a disciplined, wise leader and had a gift for rallying people of all ages, in all stations of life, to find their place of service. I remember looking at my Dad as he served in a particular church for eight years, (a record length at that time in the Methodist Church) and seeing the joy in his face, beaming with wisdom, reflecting a vibrant and diverse congregation. Dad and Mom were a team, always pouring into each individual brought into their busy lives, desiring for each one to come into a fulfilled, spirit-filled life.

A Passion for Prayer Counseling

However, the greatest part of my Dad’s ministry was relatively unseen to the public eye. His passion was to heal the broken. As he experienced greater spiritual awakening through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, he received personal healing and began to devote more time to the broken in spirit—eventually equipping and mobilizing prayer counseling teams all over the world. He and Mom would spend countless hours in prayer ministry, working with the Holy Spirit uncovering and healing wounds of the heart and soul, restoring marriages and re-setting destinies. One couple (both lawyers) on the verge of divorce was restored. The husband went on to become a long-standing college president, impacting for good the whole region for decades. There are many such stories of lives changed . . . .

Just-in-Time Dad of Deliverance

My Dad has been like the wise character Gandalf (in the writings of JRR Tolkien). He comes at the most strategic times to bring God’s deliverance and direction. This happened many times, but two key times in my life. While attending a nearby junior college, I was planning to stay in the local region but just-in-time my Dad spoke into my life, expanding my vision. He said, Consider transferring to Oral Roberts University (ORU)—which I did and which greatly impacted the outcome of my life and ministry.

One key deliverance was just prior to my marriage. Melody and I were to be wed in Brooklyn, NY. In the midst of the excitement, there were certain personality clashes, challenging how the ceremony was to be conducted. With tension building, tempers flaring—threatening the entire ceremony—my Dad came on the scene (Mom at his side) and literally by his peaceful presence and wise counsel calmed the sea. His part in the ceremony was not only beautiful; it was a delivering shield of protection to Melody and me!

Following the Road Less Traveled

Dad impacted my life mostly in his unspoken acts of following the Holy Spirit. At times it was risky. I determined to never be a full-time minister. Yet, I am now in full-time ministry, following my Dad’s example of following the Holy Spirit! (I hope to likewise model such a consecrated life to my family and four sons).

While working and finishing my schooling in Brooklyn, NY, one spring night in 1987, after responding to a life-changing message on the call to full-time ministry, I was violently attacked in the subway station, sustaining a broken jaw and severed artery in my neck. While recovering at home in Florida with jaw wired shut, seeking God, I asked my Dad to go back with me to ORU to hear Oral Roberts speak at a minister’s conference—not an unusual request. However, this was not only a sacrifice of time, but another huge risk for my father. After being twice demoted in his denomination for following the Holy Spirit, I was asking Dad to explain why he was taking time off as a busy senior pastor to go hear a man (Oral Roberts) who was currently being lampooned by the media for saying that God had spoken to him. After some deliberation, Dad again chose the path less traveled and opted to spend time with his son in the midst of this controversy and during a very busy schedule. I believe this was a turning point in both our lives, beginning my journey into full-time ministry! (Thanks Dad for listening to a still small voice and choosing to risk). And yes, the Three-in-One God still speaks today through the Person of the Holy Spirit!

Summary of a Consecrated Life and True Father

Dad’s life in God was summed up in one word: Communion. His morning communion services were always centered on the Person of Christ. It was a place where God and man met and many people received physical healing. It was a symbol of Dad’s primary calling as a priest to God. Even though these meetings were usually small in earthly number, Dad faithfully enjoyed these times and I believe it was very special to God.

In my rebellious years, when I was stepping away from God, I saw my father taking a huge step towards God, choosing to walk with Him on the path less traveled, which cost him dearly in his ministry career. Yet, this path took him all over the world, bringing hope and healing to broken lives. Through his brokenness and self-perceived weakness, Dad was used by Jesus as a true father to bring wholeness to the rejected and hurting through the prayer ministry of the Holy Spirit. Today, I’m convinced that my Dad’s best friend is the Helper who has set him apart—and the journey is just beginning. Read on and maybe you, too, will be inspired to follow . . . .

Tim Brock

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Speaking of Bunny and remembering my years as a pastor, both active and retired, let me here declare what a wonderful partner Bunny has been. Someone once wrote: Pastoring is a partnership between the pastor’s wife and his or her mate. One is not complete without the ministry and encouragement of the other. God does not call any Christian to work and live in isolation. He calls us to community. We need other Christians to come alongside of us in our ministries and give us wisdom and encouragement from time to time. Bunny has always been by my side, often a step ahead of me in wanting to hear from and grow in the Lord. This has been true all through the years including the experiences I am now about to share.

A vital part of life at PRC has become the Thursday night Bible study and prayer group in our residence. Among those regularly attending have been Betty Miller, Jackie Beck, and Elsie Detweiler. These three ladies have become wonderful friends of ours. It is Elsie’s son-in-law who has encouraged me and helped me in the writing of my story. We have greatly enjoyed Elsie’s book including her narrative of her work with women at the city rescue Mission in Atlanta. She is an inspiring woman! Her son-in-law, Dr. Douglas Jewson, helped her write her story too. He is a retired medical doctor living quietly on the side of a peaceful lake near Carlos Minnesota with his lovely wife Diane. I deeply appreciate him and all his work in the preparation of this manuscript for publication and getting it into the hands of the publisher. As well, Diane has spent countless hours reviewing the manuscript and aiding in its preparation for publication.

A TRIBUTE

To my Dad and Mom by their daughter—Betsy Ward

I am very happy to have this privilege to write something about my Mom and Dad as they share their story with you.

I wrote these words on a card for my Dad’s 79th birthday April 30, 2005:

"Dear Dad.

Happy birthday. I love you so much. You are my hero. I watch you and hope my life can be half of what yours is. Thank you for picking me to be a part of this family."

I still feel this way today.

In Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) we read, For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God certainly gave me a wonderful future by bringing me into my Dad’s and Mom’s life as their daughter.

Let me begin in this way: one day in September, 1960, a baby girl was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, to an unwed mother. She was put up for adoption and that baby was me. God had plans for me. What a blessing to have been chosen by Al and Bunny Brock. It was my big brother’s idea to have a baby sister for his fourth birthday present.

Growing up as a pastor’s kid definitely had its ups and downs. I was not the perfect child, but God knew what He was doing.

I remember always being busy with Church activities and Dad in his office getting ready for Sundays.

Growing up, I remember family being of huge importance. During the summers we’d spend a week at Daytona Beach with Dad’s brother and sisters and their families. To this day we all still get together at Thanksgiving.

Mom and Dad always put God first, then each other, then us, and then the Gator’s. I can’t forget that.

We also would go to Illinois to see Mom’s family. Many summers we spent in North Carolina where I have a lot of good memories. My husband, Guy, and I, bought a house in North Carolina in 2009.

My husband also wrote this tribute to my Dad: You amaze me every day. To be like you is something that I could only pray for at any age.

There is a saying: The older I get the smarter my parents become. Well, they are really smart.

There was faith and healing and teaching of God’s great works in our family. After my Dad did a teaching on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Retirement Community where they now live (Penney Retirement Community at Penney Farms Florida near Jacksonville), a resident there wrote him these words: I’ve read many books and heard many presentations about the ‘Baptism of the Holy Spirit,’ but your presentation last Tuesday night was the best and most complete and heart warming I’ve ever experienced. Your joy in the Lord is contagious and you are a blessing to all of us. This is the way I feel about my Dad too.

In addition to Dad’s teaching, Mom and Dad have a great ministry together and also separately, too. To this day they frequently continue to minister together as a team.

What a blessing to have them as my parents and to be a part of this family.

I love you Mom and Dad

Betsy

INTRODUCTION—NO REPEATS

Of all the billions of people God has created there are no repeats. I have an identical twin named Pete. People used to call us Pete and Repeat. We do look a lot alike, but neither of us is a repeat of the other. There are no repeats. At times I wanted there to be. I wanted the gifts my twin brother had rather than accepting my own gifts. In this book I want to share my story with you of how, through Jesus, I came to accept myself and my gifts—and even to love myself—because of His great and unconditional love for me. It is my prayer that sharing my story with you, The Journey God Chose, will help you to experience His unconditional love and through that love be able to unconditionally love yourself and others. Hop on board. Here my Journey begins! The Journey God chose for me.

Romans 8:28 could be considered my life verse. It comes up repeatedly in my story.

NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

It is noteworthy here to include Romans 8:29-30 which follow immediately:

29    For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30   And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Here is a portion of a hymn, Blessed Assurance, that has often been on my lips as I made my journey. It is a favorite of mine. I praise Him that He chose me—that He guided me in the journey I’ve taken by His Grace.

"This is my story,

this is my song,

praising my Savior

all the day long."

This photo of Pete and me was taken in Charlotte NC

when we were six years old.

And here is another hymn: Joyful, joyful, we adore You. It also expresses the way I feel.

"Joyful, joyful, we adore You,

God of glory Lord of love.

Hearts unfold like flowers before You,

lifting to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness.

Drive the dark of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

All thy works with joy surround You.

Earth and heaven reflect Your rays.

Stars and angels sing around You,

center of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

flowery meadow, flashing sea.

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

call us to rejoice in Thee!

Thou art giving, and forgiving,

ever blessing, ever blessed,

wellspring of the joy of living,

ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our father, Christ our brother—

all who live in love are Thine;

teach us how to love each other.

Lift us to the joy divine.

Angels join the mighty chorus

which the morning stars began.

Father love is reigning over us,

binding all within its span.

Ever singing, march we onward,

victors in the midst of strife.

Joyful music leads us onward

in the triumph song of life

I rejoice that He always causes us to triumph in Christ. He does what He says He will do in Romans 8:28 as we love Him and fit into His plan. So now we begin my story.

MY EARLY CHILDHOOD

I, of course, do not remember my birth. I was told that my Mother, who was only five feet tall, knew that she was carrying a big baby. She was shocked when the doctor delivered a baby boy—me—and then she was told, Wait a minute, there is another boy on the way.

She delivered twins. I’m told that when she learned that she was having twins she said: Just let me pass out.

She evidently recovered right away and named me Alva (or Al) after my Dad and my brother she named Pete after my Dad’s Dad. Our birth took place in the Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina, on April 30, 1926. Concerning my birth, for some reason my Mother never told me what she told my wife, a nurse, years later. She said that when I was born I had club feet and they operated and then placed casts on both feet for the first six months of my life. Although the operation was successful, being born with this handicap may be one reason why throughout much of my life I was embarrassed by what I viewed as legs that were too skinny. My peers in elementary school and even in Junior High sometimes called me bird legs. I didn’t like that because it evoked feelings of physical inferiority. Sometimes I even resorted to wearing double socks trying to make my legs look bigger. Pete didn’t have this handicap and perhaps this is why growing up with Pete I always felt he was physically stronger than I, and