I was born in 1956. My parents were June and Walt Haniger. My father was a high school
English teacher, football coach and taught English to foreign born students at night school. My mother was everything and more to the family of ten children. She also provided child-care activities at our home. Our family was a very loving and nurturing family. We lived in Sunnyvale, CA. My parents were of the Catholic faith. They taught us to work hard and provide for ourselves. (I had a paper route at ten years old) We were active participants in church activities. We went to the Catholic Mass religiously on Sundays, my brother Dan and I were altar boys. As children, we were encouraged to attend CCD classes. We attended catholic high schools, participating in music programs, sports teams, retreats and all the other activities that the environment of a high school campus offers. (of course, some decisions were good, and many decisions were not that bright -LOL) Just ask some of my high school friends.

Around 1972, being sixteen years old, I went to a catholic mass at the Church of the
Resurrection in Sunnyvale. I remember the priest, Father Farana, handing out a short, simple
instructional prayer. He encouraged us to go home and pray that prayer. It read, “Jesus please come into my life and Satan leave”. In child-like faith I began to say the prayer over and over. To my amazement and fear, I felt the loving presence of God’s spirit in the room. The Spirit of God physically touched me, and I was scared. I remember saying, “No, I am not ready”. The presence of the Spirit of God gently and lovingly left the room. (I thank you, Lord Jesus, for remembering me)

I graduated high school, went to a junior college and played the sport of football. I received a
scholarship to attend a university. I was so happy, free education and board and room. I
enrolled and attended the university for football practice in the summer of 1977. I had worked
so hard for this accomplishment and yet, I felt empty inside. I remember seeing an invitation to attend a bible study on the student notice board. I said within myself, “If I stay here, I am going to attend the bible study”. I completed the two-a-day workouts for two weeks and made the decision to return home. (I thank you, Lord Jesus, for remembering me)

In September of 1977, I began to work at Safeway Stores. How I received this job is a testimony
all by itself. The Lord was leading and guiding me. I met two co-workers who were attending a
Christian fellowship. I would listen and ask them questions regarding their faith in Jesus. One
night I was invited to a house fellowship. I went to the fellowship and a friend of mine, Gary
Wallace, asked me a question, “Pat, have you asked Jesus to come into your life?” I
remembered my experience at sixteen, saying,” I have felt his spirit and asked him”, leaving out the part of being scared. They began to pray in the spirit and immediately I felt a cleansing spiritual fire run through my being. I fell to my knees, crying tears of joy and speaking in an unknown tongue. I was born again. (John 3:1-7) I felt the burden of sin had been lifted from me. I went home, waking up the next day and everything seemed new. The sky, the trees, his creation, everything was new. You can have the same experience. Reach out to Jesus and call upon his name. Let Him touch you and baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:1-40) (I thank you, Lord Jesus, for remembering me)

Bro. P. Haniger