THE CROWNING CONFIRMATION
"The gifts and callings of God are without repentance."
Just how did the SISTER PAULA public access/podcast outreach get started? Just what was it that inspired an open Trans person to preach the Full Gospel of Jesus Christ? And who was instrumental in confirming God's direction for me to produce my own public access television program in December of 1987?
In the mid 1960's, I was secretary to Jean Darnall, then an associate pastor of Angelus Temple (headquarter church for the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in Los Angeles, California). Often, Sister Darnall spoke of a "three-fold witness" when one feels led by the Holy Spirit to do something.
First, there is the "inner witness" when God speaks to one's heart.
The second "witness" is the scriptures. Regarding my call to preach, God gave me the Biblical witness at the age of twelve -- the admonition that Paul gave to Timothy. (II Timothy 4) "...preach the Word," and "...do the work of an evangelist."
On May 1,1963, I transitioned my identity and became Paula. Two months later, as I sat in the pew at Glad Tidings Assembly of God in San Francisco, the inner voice of the Holy Spirit reminded me that my call to preach was still in tact.
The third "witness" is when another person -- who knows nothing of what God is directing you to do -- tells you exactly what you already know, thereby giving specific guidance and direction It is the "crowning confirmation" that you are in the center of God's Will, and are being led by the Holy Spirit.
Following is an excerpt from the book "A Miracle Woman -- The Naomi Harvey Story", telling of the crowning confirmation of the evangelistic call on my life. This was in 1986, when I was working as an entertainer at a nightclub in Portland, Oregon, called Darcelle XV. At that time, Pastor Naomi knew nothing of my call to preach:
"We had been advertising and making our presence known for several months, when God's Spirit spoke to me, once again. I had been working to have our services televised to reach beyond the walls of the church. I was organizing the programming for our televised Fellowship In Song, when I heard God clearly say: 'Go down to Darcelles.' It was about 2:00 pm.
"When I arrived, the doors were locked, however I heard voices and knocked loudly. Several female impersonators were inside working on costumes for their show that night. 'I know this is going to sound strange to you, but the Spirit of God has sent me here with a message for you.' I watched them closely. 'God's got a message for us?' one of them scoffed 'What is it? Stay out of my Church?' He sounded bitter and hurt by some negative religious encounter. 'Just the opposite,' I responded. 'My name is Naomi, and I pastor a church where you are all welcome anytime.' I handed them flyers about our service and the location of our church. 'I want to welcome you personally and assure you that God loves you all very much.'
"I started to leave when I noticed Paula. I had met her on a previous visit to Darcelles. The Lord gave me a word of knowledge concerning her. 'Paula, the Lord has called you into the ministry. He has gifted you as a speaker and has never removed his calling, even though your life has gone in a direction you never imagined.' Tears began to flow down her cheeks. 'I was twelve when I knew I was called into the ministry,' she said. 'I've never been able to be a preacher because of my life.'
"She motioned toward all the gowns and glitter of the dressing room.
"'You can come to my house and be on our church program anytime. I believe you have a message for God's people, many of whom are working at this club.'
"Are you serious about my ability to step out in ministry?' She sounded hesitant. 'I am and I will help you in every possible way,' I smiled. 'I'll look for you at church this week.'
"Paula became a regular at LCF [Living Communion Fellowship] and later that summer she attended her 30th high school reunion. She performed her night club act in full stage drag attire. Before exiting the stage, she began to preach the gospel to her high school classmates and shared her faith as a born again Christian and transsexual. Her calling as a minister was launched at that event.
"I invited her to minister on our Public Access program and we taped two segments that featured Sister Paula. That encounter opened the door of outreach to the Trans community that I could never have done on my own. Sister Paula embraced her role as a minister, not just an entertainer. In December 1987, she launched her own television outreach that would last well into the next century! I was invited to be her first guest on the opening show. She was one of the most highly respected spokespersons to the trans-gendered community, by simply sharing God's unconditional love. Paula still has a public access television show that airs regularly in the Portland area and on the internet."
And now, here it is 20 years later. The SISTER PAULA television outreach continues. In 2004 my producer expanded the program to video and audio podcasts on the internet. People of all walks of life -- rich and poor, educated and uneducated, Straight and Gay, religious and nonreligious -- they all watch the program Numerous times people have told me that this is the only religious program they watch.
Here is an email I recently received:
"I am a transgendered female to male teenager and I listen to your podcast every week. Though I consider myself an Atheist and do not believe that there truly is a god, your podcast is gradually giving me faith that not all Christians are heartless and hatefilled. Don't stop preaching, because you are a faith-giver to those who are confused. Thank you."
"The Miracle Woman -- The Naomi Harvey Story", by Darlene Bogle, can be ordered through www.amazon.com. Darlene Bogle was a Foursquare minister as well as a counselor in the "ex-Gay" movement. Her book, "A Christian Lesbian Journey" tells of her years of struggling with homosexuality, and finally accepting her sexual orientation as a gift from God. Darlene's website is www.darlenebogle.com. Pastor Naomi's website is sharingthefathersheart.com.
Excerpt used by permission.
Copyright 2008 - SISTER PAULA NIELSEN,
PO Box 2206, Portland, OR 97208
Thursday, April 10, 2008
