Getting to know John S McGraw

As a young lad I grow up in Evadale Texas with my mom, dad, two brothers, and one sister.

In 1984 on November the 12th I received the Gift of the Holy Ghost while attending the Evadale United Pentecostal Church I had been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ earlier on.  Our pastor at the time was Johnny McFall. Brother McFall was one of a kind. During his time with us at the church.  He helped to lead my uncle Dillion into the church through the love he showed and provided as the Word of God teaches.  I am very thankful to Bro McFall for his dedication to God and the ministry.

When I was 16 years of age, I moved from my parents’ home and moved up town Evadale and begin attending the Apostolic Church of Beaumont Texas.   The Pastor was Marvin Cole.  There where issues that came up at the Evadale Church with some of the church family that drove me away from the church. This was the reason why I decided to make the move.

There is no need to go into a great deal of the why’s and I will say that Bro McFall is a great man and my decision had nothing to do with Him or anything He done. It was some in the church body and through being falsely judged with no love or concern over a soul through prayer I sought out the will of God in my life asking God to lead me to a church where I could grow into a much deeper love for Him.

While driving around Beaumont, Texas I came upon a little church down one of the back roads.  I had visited churches in Beaumont, but I had never heard of this one.  I did not even know this little church existed. There were a lot of cars at the church as they were already in services, so I did not go inside. But what I did and what happened in the next week is what changed my life forever.

I pulled up into the parking area and parked long enough to write a letter to the pastor of the church.  I did not know the pastor and He did not know me at the time.  But God Knew.

Just simple little letter to the pastor:

I’m not sure what to say, or what to do at this point in my life but I feel impressed by God to write this letter to you the pastor of this church.

I have found myself in a place of my life that I need God to show me His will for my life as I have found myself at a crossroad not knowing which way to go.  All I’m asking is for you to pray that God will lead me in the right direction.

Concerned and confused child of God

I did not put my name or any personal information on the letter as I just needed prayer and God’s guidance in my life.

About a week later I had checked the mail at the post office and to my surprise there was a letter addressed to me from the Apostolic Church of Beaumont.  The letter was from the pastor Marvin L Cole. At that moment I knew that would be the place for me, so I started attending; The Apostolic Church the next service and was there until I moved and took the position of Senior Youth Pastor at the Broadus Church.

While attending the Broadus church I was hurt by the Pastor and my personal family (not by the church family) for them believing rumors and lies that was later proven to them to untrue, but the hurt had already been done. I found myself not wanting to attend any church or have anything to do with self-righteous people. I allowed it to push me away from the church but never away from God.  At this time in my life, I did not know what to do or even who to talk to.  I could not talk with my family because they would only preach about the need of going to church.  I understood the importance, but I was not at a point in my life, and I did not want to go face the ones that had cause great hurt and pain through the lies and rumors.  I had done nothing.  Most will understand where I’m coming from. So, there I was, nowhere to really go and no one that would understand my current issues, just prejudgments and harsh talking.  

I would daily bump into my church brothers and sisters. You know all those church brothers and sisters, yes, the ones that were self-righteous, and full of pre-judgements.  Well, here they were.  You would hope with love and understanding!  Well think again.  I never lost my love for God because He has always seen me through times as these in my life.

So here I was labeled and falsely accused by not only the church but my family also.  Never once was I ask if it was truth, or why, or how, or if I needed help. Just pre-judgments based on lies and rumors. Something God's Word teaches His children not to take part in.

Even though I was not attending a church I continued my relationship with God. Even though I was in a dark place, I still trusted God to bring me through the darkness. During this time in my life I made new friends, no they were not Christian and did not claim to be, but they showed more love to me than my own family and church family did. Even today I have many friends that I call my brothers and sisters that do not attend church and are in need of salvation, they will always be a part of my life, they will always have my prayers that they find salvation. These people showed me more love than my own family and church family. This was how I learned the important lesson about seeing people through the eyes of Christ and our own eyes.  This has helped me with not only a strong relationship with God, but it has helped me be able to see people and help them no matter their past life or sins.  This is the way Jesus Christ see everyone according to his Word. His Word teaches me that He came to save not destroy. 

If people could only understand the true love of Jesus Christ, they would understand that He hates the sin(s) but never the sinner. I have no regrets of my life and all the things I have been through because it has made me who I am today.  A Great Minister Called by The One True Almighty God to preach and teach His Word to those that truly want to hear it and live by it.

People that want to judge, let them. That is between them and God.  I have forgiven and washed my hands from all those that pre-judged, falsely accused and pushed me aside.  I’m just glad that the love Jesus Christ placed in me was the true love of God. I understand, if we don’t reach out to the lost in this world what hope do they have?  Now, don’t get me wrong, I do not nor will every except or condone sin.  We must stand for the Word of God and its teachings, but keep in mind there are a lot of sinners in the world as well as some that are hiding in the church. They need to see the love of Jesus Christ inside us, not pre-judgements. We must reach them as Jesus taught us to do.

Sin is Sin and we cannot pick and choose which ones we want to allow because the world or the mislead churches says it’s ok.

If we are going to reach a lost world, we must first get out of the building and begin reaching, praying and converting those that are in need of restoration or salvation.  Let’s reach them with the True Love of Jesus Christ not casting them to the side.  However, we cannot do this by excepting some and not others.  A soul is a soul, and it will spend eternity in Heaven or Hell.

It is time that we sweep out own closets before trying to sweep out someone else’s.

I hope and pray that if you have found yourself in a time of trouble or uncertainty in your life that you will reach out to me. There is help and deliverance through the Name of Jesus Christ.  Don't be worried about your past or how bad you have been.  Jesus Christ will forgive you and bring you into His Family. Any person that feels they are better than God and feel they have right to reach through the Blood of Jesus Christ and judge you for your past life, let them. Move forward with God.  They will be the ones with the Blood-Stained hands.  God Help Them.

You can email me here at johnmcgraw3964@gmail.com or by summiting me a message in the Box below. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you move forward in Christ Jesus.

​If you have a friend or loved one on the streets, in jail or prison that you would like for me to reach out to please provide their information in the email and I will write and reach out to them,

May God Bless You This Day

In God's Service

Pastor: John S McGraw