Francis Anfuso and his twin brother Joseph were born one year prior to their father being elected to the first of six terms in the United States Congress. But their father’s absorbing career left little time for his family. They could merely watch from the sidelines as their Dad’s attention was wholly given to the work and prestige of being a famous, influential person.
Though Francis felt lost in his family life and Catholic upbringing, God had not lost track of him. His First Communion, at age six, took place on, May 14, 1955. Seventeen years later, to the day, Francis received Jesus as Lord and Savior. His godly mother’s intercessory prayers had finally caught up with him.
God always has a plan and a timetable. Psalm 27, verse 10 says, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take care of me.” He is truly a father to the fatherless.
As God is the “God of happy endings,” so shortly after Francis received Jesus, his mother, brothers and sisters all whole-heartedly gave their lives to the Lord. As each of us fervently cry out to God in prayer for our loved ones, He promises to draw them back to Him.
During their almost twenty years of globetrotting the world, Francis and Suzie Anfuso ministered to many thousands of people in hundreds of churches. They witnessed first hand both the Mt. Everest and Death Valley of church life. It created in them a hunger for something more . . . something real . . . something astounding . . . a church even God would want to attend.
Years before being sent out from their mother church, Glad Tidings in Yuba City, California, their cry had been, “God, break the mold! Do something fresh! All we want is Your will! What would You do if You were planting a stream of churches today? What sacred cows would You barbecue? What tables would You overturn? Lord, what would fulfill Your hopes and dreams?”
It has been over ten years since The Rock’s first meeting.
Since then, thousands have come and been touched by the Spirit of
God. Some were drawn, having seen their loved ones transformed.
Others received an invitation from a friend or acquaintance and
were not disappointed. Deborah and Havilah Anfuso’s
whole-hearted commitment to Jesus was also a compelling factor.
Perhaps, even some were smitten by the irresistible face of the
Anfuso’s dog, “Finney,” beckoning from a local
phone book. God knows! |
