Dear brethren:

I am writing from New York City, in order to acknowledge my gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ, Who led me to the Free Apostolic Church, after almost 50 years I spent browsing outside of any spiritual and Christian involvement. Actually I was an atheist. I studied Physics at the University of Athens, Greece and I was trying to explain the existence of the universe and the appearance of life and the mankind, according to the evolutionary theory, although I had some remote doubts in my mind. In essence I was trying to conform myself, according to modernity at that time. This led me nowhere. Eventually I quit reading any philosophical book about this matter. I am now 59 years old. Despite the obstacles I faced, generally speaking, from the macroscopic point of view, I could consider my life's course smooth.

I was very self disciplined person. Never addicted to smoking and drinking. Also I did not have "night life" except in occasional circumstances with friends and acquaintances. I had not attended any church services since I was 10-12 years old, when my devoted grandmother was dragging me to, except for social ceremonies, e.g., weddings, funerals, etc. Later on in my 30's I was deeply and extensively involved in active politics (hands on) and I ended up as an elected Mayor of a town near Athens (twice). I was thirsty at that time for social and global justice. In the mid of the second half of my mayoral term, I realized that things were not going in the direction I had dreamed as a young revolutionary person. By not accepting being a conformist, I decided to quit active politics and eventually, immigrated (9 years ago) to the USA, where my wife was from, along with her and my 2 children. Here in the USA I faced difficult economical situations, as I was old enough to start a new career. Besides I was not an American educated person to penetrate into the system quickly. In the mean time thoughts about the existence of a superpower that governs the universal laws had started to buzz in my mind. Finally 4 years ago I decided to study the bible, in combination with a book titled "THE SCIENCE OF GOD" written by an MIT physics professor, donated to me as a Christmas present. My thinking was: A book (bible) that endures over 2000 years should include some wisdom. Indeed as I can realize it now, includes abundance of wisdom. Especially the New Testament. At this point I had decided to visit different religious places, churches, synagogues and mosques in order to observe their rituality and spirituality and to learn more about faith. But it happened to visit first (and last) the Free Apostolic Church Of Pentecost (FACP). In the Church of Pentecost I was driven by an unknown to me power. I had felt this power many years before. This divine power prevented me sometimes from decisions and actions that would have been troublesome if were taken and executed. I felt this power when I bypassed my life's hurdles. This power later on proved to be Jesus. He revealed it to me (by prophecy) at the very beginning, when I first passed the steps of the church some months ago. I am very grateful and thankful to HIM. Following is the story of how I first visited the church. One Saturday morning, I brought my son's car to the mechanic for a regular service. I dropped the car, in order to pick it up later in the afternoon.

In the way home I came across the FACP. It was closed but I managed to memorize the schedule and decided to visit the church the next day (Sunday). The next day I did not show up and I postponed my visit from one Sunday to another. Finally after three hesitations I decided to cross over the threshold of the church. It was one Sunday 11:00 AM. I heard the word of God, by a preacher, for the first time after 50 years. I liked it, as I liked, the full of warmth environment. Next Sunday it happened to be at the church, 5-10 minutes before regular service starts at 11:00 AM, and I discovered that my future brothers and sisters were there and prayed. I asked and was told that, they gather there for prayer one hour prior to the preaching.

So next Sunday I went there to examine what they are doing during prayer and how they perform it. I remember, it was 10:30 AM when I sat down in my chair, while all the rest were knelt and praying. At this time the first strike hit me. A prophesy started with the voice of a female prayer. The prophesy or rather revelation was addressed to me by saying, as I can recall: <<Kriton you read me for three years now, but you have doubts about ME. I AM your creator and the creator of the Universe. I am the one who led you here. I was waiting for you for a long time. Take the doubts out of your mind, open up your heart come closer to me. Ask ME any question and I will give you answers. Put in front of me any requests and you will get comfort>>. The Holy Spirit had spoken to me directly and by name. At that time I was thrilled. I felt an electric shock to penetrate my body. The next time When I had some questions and I put some requests, with my thoughts, I got the answers again by prophesy. Especially about the requests, I heard the voice saying to me: Your requests are accepted. Indeed the very next day two of them were fulfilled!!!! The rest are long term requests and as I sense it, are in the course of fulfillment. Since then, many times I got the Holy touch of our Lord Jesus Christ and I felt privileged, because many "prophesies" and admonitions, by the Holy Spirit, were addressed to me. I cannot describe the joy I have felt since then. After months of hesitation finally I was baptized in the water September 14, 2002. By God's will I might be blessed and be baptized with HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

This is a short story of my life's experience.

Glory to Jesus Christ our Lord.