Testimonies
A Seed, A Guitar, A Parking Lot, and the Power of God –
Last week, me and my Holy Ghost Revival Team were on a mission in Biloxi, Mississippi—to rescue the lost, reveal Jesus, and glorify God. We had spent the entire day on the streets and the strip, sharing the Gospel, praying for those in need, and leading people to Jesus. It was a powerful day—one of those days where the ministry felt like fire. We had quality encounters, salvations, and moments where hearts were clearly turning toward Christ. At times, small crowds would gather just to hear the Gospel being shared one-on-one. From the lowest to the highest, everyone I passed heard the Good News—that Jesus loves them and still saves.
In the middle of it all, a man walked up to me, pulled out his wallet, and said, “I never carry cash, but today I did. Something told me to put a $20 bill in here—it’s for you. I just feel I’m supposed to give this to you.”
As soon as that $20 touched my hand, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “It’s to buy a guitar.” I thought, A guitar for 20 bucks? Yeah right. But the Holy Spirit gently responded, “You’ll see. There’s work to be done.”
Now let me just say—I like guitars, sure. I’ve written a few books and a couple songs, but I’m not a musician. My calling is to rescue the lost and set captives free behind enemy lines.
Later that night, I was browsing Facebook Marketplace for the guitar that i was supposed to buy. I found it—it was an off-brand, blue acoustic. I’m a natural wood kind of guy. But the Holy Spirit said, “Yes! That’s the one.” I looked at the price. $70. Lord, that’s not $20. He repeated, “That’s the one.”
So I messaged the seller, asking if they’d consider selling just the guitar without the case. They responded and said yes. Then a second message came: “We’ll let it go for $20.”
Come on! When God speaks, He provides!
We arranged to meet in a parking lot. As their car pulled up, I could feel a heavy cloud of depression, despair, and hopelessness hanging over them. I stepped out of my Tahoe, with a smile. The Holy Spirit started revealing to me what was going on—and exactly how to pray.
As I stood beside them, I saw that both the husband and wife had dozens of dark tattoos—occult symbols, witchcraft markings—all over their bodies. And the Holy Spirit whispered again, “You’re here to bring freedom.”
They opened the case, and there it was—scratched, blue, with one broken bridge pin and a piece of wood holding another string in place.
I looked at it and heard the Lord say:
“How many times have you seen people just like this guitar—scratched, out of tune, broken, with a couple makeshift parts holding it all together?”
That was it. I bought the guitar and set it in the Tahoe. Then I looked at them and said, “This guitar was just the setup to get us in the parking lot. The real reason I’m here is to tell you that God sees you. He loves you. And He’s got a plan for your life. A good one. If you’ll just repent, surrender, and follow Jesus.”
They both started crying. Right there in the parking lot. They said they were desperate for change—but didn’t know how to get out.
So I shared the Gospel with them—because the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation after all.
As I laid my hands on their shoulders i thought they’d fall out right there in the parking lot. I prayed and bound up the spirits of witchcraft and oppression. I led them in repentance and a decision to follow Jesus. I spoke freedom over them, asked the Lord to keep them close, and to lead them step by step into their new life in Christ.
We hugged. I gave them Bibles and Gospel tracts. And I left that parking lot with more than just a beat-up blue guitar—I left with the sound of Heaven rejoicing over two brand new lives set free.
To God be all the glory.
Evangelist John Phillips