Real Life Experiences

TESTIMONY OF MARK GATES

It was Spring of 1996 when I was baptized in the Spirit. I’m
Mark Gates, in Iowa. I truly had a gnawing in my mind and a
bothering in my spirit that told me something was missing in my
life. My wife would get mildly irritated with me and exclaim “You
are a great Dad, a wonderful husband and the hardest worker
I’ve ever seen, what could you possibly be missing? Aren’t you
happy?” Well, I was happy at home and at work. My emptiness

was spiritual, but she wouldn’t understand that. I didn’t
understand it myself.

So, after my first of two men’s Cursillo
retreats, two men’s seasonal CRHP retreats, I noticed an ad for a
Life in the Spirit seminar in a neighboring parish. The more I
thought about it, the more I wanted to go! So, I went.
The first night felt like a Baptist Revival without the creek.
Well, I gave the Charismatics one more night to convince me. It
worked. I was hooked on the upbeat praise music and the idea
that the Holy Spirit was exactly what I was missing in my life.
Just like a three-legged stool that was missing one leg. The rest
is history.

The Holy Spirit has opened the eyes of my soul, held my
hand and sometimes my whole self, and journeyed with me to a
wonderful spirituality. My personal quest won’t be finished in this
life, but I love God so much, that I know He is trustworthy!

I enjoy many Charisms that I previously didn’t even know
about. Gifts like singing in Tongues, Intercessory Prayer,
Laying-on of Hands, Music (singing) and a few others. I also

Lector at Mass for my parish. Since coming into the Spirit, I
actually, ‘hunger and thirst’ for the Word of God. I have also
developed an absolute passionate love and belief in the Real
Presence of Christ in Eucharist!

Finally, I’ll say, the Spirit of the Lord, that was upon Jesus, is
the same Holy Spirit that is in each of us. Like Adam, we
receive a breath of God (RUAH in Hebrew) when we are born.
My life is so incredibly wonderful! I cherish it!! God knew
that He had a purpose for me, though I couldn’t see it. Our Lord
is Trustworthy and Worthy to be praised. Amen.

Mark Gates aka: Brother BLU ccrlouisville@gmail.com 12-7-2025