“I
CULTIVATED wonderful relation-ships
and connections in the spirit over
the last 15 years. I envisioned everyone
coming together again, it would be part
of the goal of unity in the community,
those from the north, south, east and
west,” says Hauser-Bonnett.
As the tent went up, a feeling of holy awe descended
on the church grounds, especially under the tent.
“I loved what happened with the tent,” Tom Hauser
says. “I’ve loved all the tents we have ever done. It’s
always been remarkable what happens. At first there
is a breaking away of the expectation, religiosity,
controls. There is a freedom, an informality that
comes in the midst of that, you’re out there and you’re
open. People that won’t come to a denominational or
religious setting, they will come to a tent. That’s why I
love it and why we have done so many of them.”
The opening days were not without challenges.
The city experienced nine inches of rain in a matter
of 24 hours, creating puddles throughout the
grounds and the tent. Everything moved indoors to
the church’s main sanctuary for the first three days
and nights.
Despite the wetness, those present were not
disappointed. God was in the house. There were open
expressions of the moving of the Holy Spirit and lives beautifully changed.
On the fourth day the tent was dry enough to move back outside. Those present knew
something big was happening.
“I got a word I really needed about my kids, my mom,” says Karen Pray. “It made me
reflect on my walk and relationship with the Lord. I was working that out in the tent the
times the Lord allowed me to get there.”
At all hours of the day and night, people dropped in for worship, prayer or reflection
or just to sit in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
“I felt so close to God there. Even though there were so many people around, you felt
alone with God,” says Ginny Hauser, Tom Hauser’s wife.
Hubbard with his camera was always in view, capturing exquisite moments. For him
it even became a family affair including his 14-year-old son, also named Buckley.
“There are some nights I really want to go to the tent. The atmosphere … I never really
liked to go to church, this is different,” his son says.
Hubbard discovered the Lord was leading the focus of the camera.
“He was leading me; I was being led by Him; it was not just me operating the camera.
I wanted to let the Holy Spirit guide the camera,” he says.
Not only that, he became a participant.
“Focusing the camera lens on a person receiving prayer, all of a sudden, I’d realize I
was also praying in the Spirit for that person,” he says.
Salvations, deliverance and healings were occurring. One young man showed up early,
small son in tow. His wife had asked him to check out the church’s farm and when he
did, his attention was drawn to the Tent of Meeting signs. Later, face beaming, he told of
his desperation, marriage in trouble, years as a warlock, and how he had gotten peeled,
one piece of baggage at a time. The change was dramatic. He became full of hope, joy
and love, his marriage restored. As his wife cheered with the crowd, he was one of the
first tent baptisms.
Early into the initially scheduled nine days, Tom Hauser realized this could go longer.
“Focusing the camera
lens on a person receiving
prayer, all of a sudden,
I’d realize I was also
praying in the Spirit for
that person.”
From top: Filmmaker Buckley Hubbard. One
in Christ Ministries’ Neil Blake. Global River
Church Senior Pastor Tom Hauser.
24 december 2021
WBM
CHARLA MARTIN