Quote:
Originally Posted by Suannehill
Mansfield was a group before Bro Lee visited. They mostly came from the Brethren. In fact, people left when Lee came in.
They had much light due to seeking out many authors and prayer and fellowship. They met as a church with no name, but took the ground and became an LC. The group that left became Grace Haven and now is Grace Fellowship. I believe we are talking late 60's.
They became the the only LC East of the Mississippi, and the only one not raised up by Titus or Lee.
Now divided again by Living Stream, with the other group as of now unnamed.
Is this what you were asking?
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Thank you Suannehill,
I considered mentioning Mansfield but I had never been there and only knew a few of the brothers, in particular Dwight Rader. I remember well his coming to the conference in 1967 when Witness Lee became ill and had to miss several meetings. He gave a stirring memorial testimony regarding the empty chair.
During the first two meeting, there was a chair on the platform where the ill WL sat as he delivered his message. Suddenly, there was no WL only an empty chair. Dwight gave a testimony with flowing tears of how convicted he was regarding his coming to LA. He confessed he did not care for the church in LA or any of the saints at the conference but only wanted to hear brother Lee and return and then because of his being with WL he might be someone important in the church in Mansfield. After his speaking, we all were so clear that it was not about brother Lee but it was about Christ. It was the Head Christ and His members that were precious not just a gifted member. Dwight confessed that he believed it was probably due to his pride and concept of WL that WL had become ill.
I recall that Dwight was indeed a different person than he had been on the first night of the conference when someone spoke from each church represented there. He spoke for the church in Mansfield. His testimony and person over the next few days was a powerful message that what the Lord was doing was not elevating gifted members and those who might be associated with them.
Hope, Don Rutledge
A believer in Christ Jesus who is seeking to become a true disciple.
John 8:31-33, Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. "
NASB