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A Testimony by Jen Dutcher

Two weeks after I felt compelled to write up a specific testimony, I was in church when I just about “fell out of the pew” hearing the children’s message and sermon since both covered specific elements of my testimony. It was then I knew I had to share it.  

For as long as I can remember, I have always believed in God and loved Jesus, but as a young teen, my faith hit a stumbling block. I struggled with the credibility of the Israelites’ story in Exodus.

It made no sense to me how these people could have turned their backs on God, and only a few short months later, after witnessing all of those amazing miracles when they departed Egypt. I thought (albeit naively) , “If I had proof that God was real like the Israelites did, I would never sin again!” 

During my senior year, I attended a Christian youth retreat at some campground up north where the theme was on the occult. On the last night, there were around 20 of us high school students sitting in a circle in the middle of the lodge sharing stories, when suddenly there was a startling shift in the atmosphere. Something evil had entered the room. And when I say “evil”, it is the absolute definition and description of what evil can possibly be and feel like. It radiated a pure vile and wickedness, unfiltered hatred, absolute anger, and extreme fear. The grotesque and terrifying presence was so strong and overwhelming, it was nearly tangible. 

No one said anything, but I could tell by looking around the circle that everyone felt it. A few younger students started crying. Our counselors, Pastor Rod and Camille Henry, knew what was happening. They had once been missionaries in the Philippines and were no strangers to spiritual warfare. (Sidenote: Rod Henry, who has since gone home to be with our Lord, wrote a book titled Filipino Spirit World, a Challenge to the Church. It’s a good read.) Recognizing we were under a demonic attack, our leaders calmly instructed us to pray. 

I bowed my head and said the shortest, most desperate prayer in my life, “God, please make this go away!” I instantly felt a cool, soothing breath in my face. My eyes popped open to see who did that! But both kids next to me had their heads down. Accompanied with the breath was an overwhelming, euphoric peace that washed over me. I felt the evil presence pushed back. I sat there in disbelief thinking, “Did that just really happen?!” 

A few moments later, I felt the evil closing in on me again, and I again I prayed, “God, please make this go away!” Once more, I instantly felt a cool breeze in my face, along with an ultra-intense peace that saturated my entire being. It was an ultimate peace that felt infinite, a heightened sensation way beyond anything in the natural human experience. I felt the evil presence pushed back and forced out.

Knowing I was going to remember this experience for the rest of my life, I looked around the lodge to see if there was a ceiling fan or floor vents, any sort of physical explanation for the breeze that I felt, but there was nothing. Plus, I knew it was God because of the supernatural euphoric peace.  

I later shared this story with my pastor, George Calhoun. He smiled and asked me if I knew what the Holy Spirit’s name means in Greek (pneuma) and in Hebrew (Ruach). I didn’t. He explained that the names translate as breath and wind. That’s exactly what I felt, a breath, and a breeze.  

That night at a weekend retreat, I felt the physical manifestation of the Holy Spirit, twice, as well as his supernatural peace. (Jesus even refers to him as the Comforter!) That was my “parting of the Red Sea” moment. I got my proof. And although I no longer doubted the existence of God, did I, do I, still sin? Yup! Unfortunately. So it was a humbling experience as well.  Since then, I have had and/or witnessed firsthand, over a dozen other supernatural experiences. Having served on a few deliverance teams, I’ve seen people freed from demonic oppression (experiences that were way more dramatic than this one), and I’ve also witnessed miraculous physical healings by the Holy Spirit. I’d be happy to share with anyone who wants to hear these stories since they ultimately serve to glorify Him.  

God is real. The Holy Spirit is real. And Jesus, my Lord and Savior, is absolutely who he says he is. If you’re struggling with unbelief or skepticism, I encourage you to ask God to reveal himself to you. Please know that you are very loved by a very real Heavenly Father.