#TestimonyTuesday
from J. T. Mangan
Pentecost Today USA Council Member
We asked people to describe the changes they saw in themselves and in their lives after receiving baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Here is what J.T. shared:
If you were to ask my dad what the most impactful thing to happen to him in his life was, he’d say when he was baptized in the Holy Spirit!
When I came along my parents had already been a part of Covenant Community for years, with my dad in a leadership role. My relationship with my parents was typical. We had the normal disagreements, but our bond was filled with LOVE.
I think all of us have a “garden” within. It’s our responsibility to nurture the growth of the flowers, i.e. love, mercy, kindness, understanding, etc. It also follows that we need to trim back the weeds.
I can’t point to an exact time, but in my preteens, I allowed the seed of anger and resentment to burst forth and grow out of control. I hated the life I was locked into. I argued at every turn, was rebellious and became recalcitrant. I was a liar, a thief, and a cheat. I wanted nothing to do with my parents or their God.
While my friends could “pit” Mom vs. Dad, I could not as my parents had a partnership, with Jesus leading the way. It should be said that my mom was ever the peacekeeper and though she could never depend on me, I could always count on her.
I wish I could better describe this time to you, but even now I’m left with a lot of gaps and black holes. My family remembers the good times, the family vacations, etc. but I can’t. In an ill-fated attempt to fit in with school friends I drank, did drugs and began smoking cigarettes. I eventually moved out and limited contact with my dad.
Within the covenant community my dad had a great friend, Bill Wilson. As my relationship with my dad lessened, my friendship with Bill strengthened.
What I could no longer “hear” from God or my dad, I heard from Bill.
In 2004, at a Men’s Retreat, Bill called me out and encouraged me to reconcile with my dad. On that Saturday evening in Jumonville, the slate was wiped clean! It took a long time to get to that point, but my family, my friend and my God never gave up on me.
As we enter 2024, I’ll be celebrating 20 years of reconciliation. Don’t be fooled, it hasn’t been all “morning by morning new mercies I see”. This life we live is filled with ups and downs. And as my dad would say it’s discipline that gets us through those tough times and keeps us on track.
If you would’ve told me all those years ago that I would one day strive to be like my dad I’d have laughed in your face. But now I can think of no greater way to honor my friend, my Dad, and my God!
I am my father’s son!
J.T. Mangan’s home parish is St. Philip’s in Crafton, PA. In the start-up years of the purchase of the Ark and The Dove he was the Assistant to the Board and the Facilities Manager.
