When I was a little girl, I had a vision. I heard the Lord tell me that I would marry a man who would preach the gospel and we would be missionaries in Africa.

Well as I grew older and eventually married Jerry in 1966—he was no where near becoming a preacher. Needless to say, my goals were not the same as Jerry's goals. I couldn't even get him to go to church with me much less go to Africa!

All he wanted to do was work on cars and race hot rods! But regardless of what my natural circumstances looked like, I knew that the vision God had given me was real and it was up to Him to work it out. My responsibility was to stay focused on that vision and continue pursuing God until it manifested.

Three (long) years after we were married, Jerry eventually surrendered to the call to preach and his vision came in line with God's plan for his life. To date, he has preached all over the world and we have established nearly 50 churches in Africa. Praise God.

...I realized how important it was for me to tell as many people as I can about our wonderful Lord. - Carolyn Savelle

Not too many years ago, I had another vision. I was looking out my hotel room in downtown Johannesburg, South Africa. It was early in the morning and many people were on their way to work. I could see the traffic headlights coming and going. Suddenly, I saw myself leaning over this pit with my arms stretched out beside me. I was holding back from falling into the pit. I could hear people from the bottom screaming over and over, "You didn't tell me! You didn't tell me! You didn't tell me!"

The screams got louder and more intense each time. Suddenly, my arms began to grow. They grew and grew until they seemed miles long, holding the people back from going to hell. From that vision, I realized how important it was for me to tell as many people as I can about our wonderful Lord.

I can't let people go to hell simply because "I didn't tell them!" Meanwhile, the Lord had spoken to Jerry about starting a School of World Evangelism. The charter year was to begin in September 1994. To be honest, I was less than excited about it.

For some reason, I just wasn't as eager for the development of the school as I was for other ministry outreaches, but I was still in agreement with Jerry's vision. In August of 1994, one month before the Bible School was scheduled to open, we were in Birmingham, England in the Believers' Convention when the spirit of laughter came on the place and it hit me! Suddenly, I heard the Lord say, "I'm birthing this school in your spirit. From this day on, this school will be as your child and you will nurture it and watch it grow."

Instantly, I developed a love for the school. My attitude changed. My opinions changed. My vision changed. I could literally see what the School was going to be like. I was reminded of 2 Chronicles 5:14, "So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of God."

God miraculously changed my heart toward our school. Jerry has to make me travel on the crusades now because I want to be at home to teach my "kids."

Sometime later, a minister friend of mine heard me share the story of the vision I saw in South Africa where my arms were growing to hold the people back from hell. The Lord showed her that my arms growing represented our students. It was a symbol of our students linked together with Jerry and me! Hallelujah!

I've learned from this that sometimes God may give you a vision and you may not fully understand it. Or there may be times when God gives you a vision and you can't humanly figure out how it could come to pass.

You feel like you don't have the finances or the education or the background for it. It may seem overwhelming at first, but God starts where you're at and gradually broadens your vision.

It is so important that we develop our own relationship with God, find out His vision for our lives and begin pursuing it rather than something we want.

God's vision for your life is big, but it's not too big for you to handle. Jeremiah 29:11 says, "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

The key is not to lose focus. When your goal is to know God intimately, He'll give you the answers you need, the direction you need and the ability you need to carry out His will for your life. Don't be overwhelmed.

Pursue God, stay focused and follow His plan—not yours. You can do it!
Jerry Savelle Ministries International
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