How a Spirit-Filled Lady and Derek Prince Helped Turn a Theologian Into a Charismatic
Mark Virkler’s conservative Baptist background had him convinced that miracles, healing and speaking in tongues had no place in today’s church world. Admittedly egotistical and convinced he was right, Virkler says he would have been part of the Sanhedrin had he lived in the days of Jesus.
But then a teacher, a friend of his fiancee, told him a story about healing that challenged his beliefs, and he began to study Scripture on healing and speaking in tongues. A year later, Virkler, author and founder of Communion with God Ministries, became a charismatic believer and never looked back.
Through Communion with God Ministries, Mark and his wife, Patti, have taught tens of thousands of people how to live a Spirit-led life and to make disciples by the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit.
But it was the teacher’s story that helped turn his “Pharisee-like” beliefs—and his life—around.
“People respond differently to stories. Those who love the truth will let a story speak to them because they honor the story. Those who don’t love the truth will dishonor the story,” Virkler told Dr. Steve Greene on a recent episode of “Greenelines” on the Charisma Podcast Network. “So, I honored the story because she was a friend and she [was] feeding me.
“I began to explore Scripture a second time. By the time I was done, Derek Prince had taught me that there is a place for miracles, a place for tongues and a place for healing in the kingdom of God. I turned charismatic over the next year of my life because a lady loved me, fed me a meal and told me a story.”
For the rest of Mark Virkler’s story, listen to the podcast below.
