I got to know Kenneth E. Hagin's books through a friend in the '80s, and his books meant a lot to my spiritual development. The first experience I had with walking in faith was during my civil service, late in 1991. We were going to be at Hustad Leir for a few weeks, and after that, deployed. I answered an application for civilian work at the University of Bergen, a position I did not get. On the second Wednesday in December 1991, I asked Dag Heggset - my prayer buddy at Hustad Leir - to pray with me. We prayed that I should be led to a place where I could grow as a Christian, develop, and also accomplish something for God.
The very next morning I received a phone call from a friend who was attending Bible School at Oslo Christian Center. This was before cell phones, so I don't know how he got hold of me. He said, "Hi Levi, do you know the P22 Contact Center here in Oslo? It is a Christian reception center for drug addicts, and it needs more civilian workers. Maybe it could be something for you ... “
I still remember how God spoke to me on the inside: "That's where I want you to go." This was the first time I experienced the voice of God so clearly. I called the leader of P22, and he said I could come. After that, I talked to the administration at Hustad Leir. Unfortunately, they had to disappoint me. “We manage civilian workers in the western counties; from Finnmark and along the coast to Vest-Agder. The rest of the country is managed by Dillingøy Leir. It is impossible to transfer you to Dillingøy. You are from Hordaland and cannot have the civil service in Oslo!”
The disappointment was huge. But every time I checked advertised posts on the bulletin board I heard these words on the inside, "Levi, you're going to P22. That's the right place for you!“
I remembered from "The ABCs of Bible Faith" how Brother Hagin talked about how you can believe with your heart while still having doubts in your head. Mark 11:22-23: “And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. " That phrase helped me through the faith walk that was to follow in the next few months.
The weeks went by and I went home for Christmas. But there was a war between my head and my heart. My head said, "It's impossible", but my heart said "You are going to P22".
In February I happened to talk to a guy who was deployed as a civil worker at Hustad Leir. He was responsible for following up us "recruits" and making sure we were doing well. When he asked if I had found a placement yet, I told him about P22 in Oslo, but that the administration said it was impossible to transfer me to Dillingøy. "I'll talk to someone and see what I can do," he replied briefly.
In just a few days after this seemingly insignificant conversation, I was in Oslo and began my civil service duty at the P22 Contact Center! The time I spent there became life-changing for me. Nothing is impossible for God. He can use anyone to open doors for you!