Sister Barbara Ali

I did not grow up in church. My parents claimed to be agnostic. We were told that there is no way to know if God exists until we die. As I grew into my early teens, I had a lot of questions about that. My dad’s parents attended a little pentecostal church and we were allowed to visit sometimes on special occasions. My mom said to learn what they teach, but do not be gullible enough to believe everything. Then the town drunk got salvation at my Grandma’s house one night. The change was so dramatic that his family soon followed suit.

Being a teenager is just plain difficult. Navigating the waters of change and figuring oneself out can get really depressing. One day when I was 14, I cried out to God. “If You are real, please show me. I want to know You as friend to friend.” He did. A great weight lifted off me and I was flooded with joy and peace. But it alarmed my mom. She took away my Bible and forbade me to go to church. I went one way crying, and she went the other way crying. My dad struggled to calm the situation. A few years later both my mom and dad accepted their salvation.

The next three years were a lot of ups and downs as I struggled to learn all I could about God and live the life He wanted me to live. I withdrew a lot socially, sinking more into depression. One day in my senior year I walked into the forest alone. Under a pine tree I poured out my soul to God. I could not do this on my own. I needed His help. I surrendered all that I ever was or ever would be. A light came on within me. I did not realize it was dark before. That light glowed all around me. The air was fresher, like after a rain. I went to school the next day radiating and unafraid. People were astounded, but I did not have words to explain what happened.

After graduation, I went to Denver to live with my other grandma. I sought a church to go to, eventually joining Calvary Temple, the largest non-denominational pentecostal church in Denver. The young adults in the College Class became great friends. I also enrolled in a Baptist Bible College in order to focus on learning as much of the Bible as I could. It was an interesting year of many discussions between Baptist and Pentecostal ideas. I also visited other denominations and religious groups including a Bhuddist temple, a synagogue, and some Hindu offshoots. A group of us attended many big-name evangelist meetings that came through Denver. We witnessed many manifestations of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but I soon saw that not everyone who had these gifts was scrupulous. There were some unholy attitudes and behaviors expressed. I also saw miracles among my friends. One young man in particular was going blind. His glasses were getting thicker every year. Then at a meeting one night he received his healing and did not have to wear those glasses any more.

At 21 years old I met a young man from the east side of India. His country was originally a part of India, but separated when the British left. Known as East Pakistan, it went to war with West Pakistan to gain autonomy. Now it is called Bangladesh. I was fascinated by Sher and his culture. Even though his background was Muslim, he did not practice the religion. He worked in Denver as a research scientist looking for cancer cures. We dated for more than a year. I debated the idea of marriage. He treated me so well I figured I could love him into accepting salvation. 

Many of my former friends moved on with their lives, marrying, getting

jobs, often moving out of state. I worked in Inhalation Therapy at the Jewish hospital for a few years until after we married. We soon had a family. I looked around for another church to go to. After visiting a couple, I attended a nearby Assemblies of God for a time. I was not satisfied with their putting their denomination before the leading of the Holy Spirit. I felt more and more disillusioned. I was not feeding on anything but the same old stuff over and over.

We became managers of a small apartment building, while Sher still worked in research. It was there I met a lifelong friend, Helen, who introduced me to William Branham’s ministry. At first, it sounded like his followers put him on a pedestal above Christ, so I did not look into more. Later, at a dinner with her in-laws, I saw a book of sermons by William Branham. I was intrigued and asked for something he wrote about himself. Then I could know what kind of person he was. I was given the book, “Footprints on the Sands of Time.” 

I prayed after reading that book, asking God if I should continue or leave it alone. I got a warm affirmation, kind of like a smile, gentle push, and a go ahead. My husband did not like the changes he saw in me. I think he felt threatened by them. He told people I joined a cult. My family also thought so. My grandmother decided to “deprogram” me one day, but I was able to talk her out of it, saying that it was not like she thought, not like cults getting a bad rap in the news media. After that it was a long road trying to learn everything I could, and comparing it to the preaching I heard. However, Sher delved headlong into Islam, hoping to convert me. I refused to argue religion with him. God had spoken to me personally. This way was not just an ideology, a book of rules and rituals. Every religion has those things.

Eventually we moved to Georgia. Again it was trial and error trying to find a church that stayed with what Brother Branham said. To my dismay, many so-called Message churches across the country did actually make their groups into cults, saying things like, “If you leave here, you are going

hell.” I attended a church in Augusta, Georgia, for a while under Brother Mike Ultieg. I have nothing against him. The only reason I left was the two hour drive each way with young children. 

I visited the church in Lula, Georgia, a couple times, but did not like what I heard at first. After a time I realized that I did not fully understand what was being said. The church is 50 minutes from where I live, so I talked to Brother Ultieg about my going to Lula. He knew Brother Dale and told him about me. From then on I attended Spoken Word Church.

As I look back over many years, now, I am astounded how much of the Bible has opened up to me. It is a history of my own history. The more I see Jesus, the closer my walk with Him becomes. Jesus has revealed Himself to me in so many  ways It would take a real book to tell it all. The Message of the hour is not Brother Branham’s message, it is the Bible message. I was rebaptized. I questioned whether I really had the Holy Spirit since it is not based on gifts. I believe I do now. 

He really has revealed Himself to me, communicates with me as Friend to friend. I am extremely thankful to Brother Dale and all the ministry for teaching the Word, showing us how to appropriate Life. That Life is the real testimony of Jesus Christ. He makes it happen because we can’t do it of our own accord. It is no longer, “Do this and don”t do that.” Instead, it is giving up, letting go, and letting Him come inside and fill  you up with His own Life. It changes everything.