2017: Brunswick, OH

At one of the first Encounter nights last year in our new sanctuary I had a crazy cool
encounter with the Lord. The beginning of the night was great, as always. At one point Joel
started speaking and sharing some things, and he said something like there were people in
the room called to ministry and unsure if it was really God, and this was their sign or
confirmation, and to come down to the front for prayer. I had recently been praying for God's
purpose for my life to be revealed and was really doubting what He is calling me to and just
that day asked for confirmation. I went down to the front and after several people prayed and
laid hands on me I just kind of sank to my knees and worshipped and prayed. As I was on my
knees I heard God say to me "I am giving you new wine" and as I heard this I physically felt a
liquid being poured on my head, as if someone just dumped a pitcher of wine over me. I felt it
dripping down my face and back. And in that moment the spirit of depression I'd struggled
with my whole life broke off of me. I've been filled with such Joy! I've been learning to process
and feel emotions without the cloud of depression veiling my thoughts. I have never felt such
freedom, in truly finding joy in the simplest of things and my mind is so free and clear now.
Even on "good days" in my depression I could feel it hiding in the corners waiting to spring
again and now it's just not there! I'm genuinely happy to be alive, even in the hard moments of
life I'm okay because the depression isn't there lying to me anymore. It was the most
incredible thing I have ever experienced.