George was born on 28th February 1889 in a little Welsh village Nantyffylon, Maesteg. He was the eighth child of Thomas and Kezia Jeffreys. He had always been a sickly child, with a facial paralysis and a speech impediment. But in spite of this he had always felt that one day he would serve God in the ministry.
In 1904 a revival broke out in Wales, and within a few weeks George and his older brother Stephen were converted and got involved in their local Congregational church - 'Shiloh'. Their minister recognised the hand of God upon their lives and encouraged the brothers in the things of God. Others also recognised the favour that rested upon these men, particularly George. A popular Christian magazine of their day - 'Confidence' edited by the Anglican minister A.A. Boddy reported when George went to Bible College in Preston. This same magazine also commented of the many meetings where George would be speaking.
In 1910 a fresh move of God's Spirit was taking place fuelled mainly from the 'All Saints Anglican Church', Sunderland. Where the baptism of the Holy Spirit was preached and was evident by 'speaking in tongues'. At first George was against this and other Pentecostal manifestations, and openly preached against them. However, Stephen's son Edward attended one of these meetings and received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. George subsequently saw a dramatic change in his young nephew's life, and realised that this was one of those 'God experiences'. One Sunday before a morning service, George along with Stephen confessed his fault, and that same morning he began to sing and praise God in a language he had never been taught. He was baptised in the Holy Spirit.
Not long after this experience he had a mighty touch from the Lord and was powerfully healed. As a result George's ministry was greatly affected for the better. For he had not only seen Jesus Christ as the Saviour and Baptiser with the Holy Spirit but was also able to personally testify that Jesus was the healer of the body as well. This personal experience he would often refer to in later years as he proclaimed Jesus Christ to be our Saviour and also the healer of our bodies. As a result George's foursquare belief became the focus of his ministry.
A reflection of church history over this period seems to suggest that God was moving sovereignly in a number of places throughout the UK and the rest of the world in the power of His Spirit.
In 1912 George's brother Stephen was conducting meetings near Swansea. Stephen had been speaking for weeks without a break and therefore invited George to assist him. George left his studies at Bible College in Preston and joined his brother. Together they saw over 100 converts, with many amazing healings and people baptised in the Holy Spirit. As a result the brothers were flooded with speaking engagements, and were guest speakers at a large series of meetings in Sunderland (1913). After this George saw a dramatic increase in miraculous healings. From here he was invited to conduct meetings in Northern Ireland from where the Elim Pentecostal Movement commenced in 1914.
God was moving in a wonderful way wherever the brothers ministered. One unusual story which stands, is an occasion where Stephen was preaching at the Island Place Gospel Hall, Llanelli, South Wales. While he was preaching he became aware that the congregation were not really paying attention to him but looking past him. He did not understand what was happening but continued preaching. Afterwards however, he saw on the wall an image of a lamb's head which slowly turned into the image of Jesus as the 'man of sorrows'. In addition it was also noted that the 'eyes seemed to be alive and moving'. This 'vision' was clearly seen by everyone present and remained there for six hours until it slowly disappeared. The news spread and people came in off the street to see the amazing sight. This was reported by the Llanelli Star newspaper and subsequently investigated by the Anglican Minister A.A Boddy and published in Confidence Magazine August 1916 - Britain's first Pentecostal magazine.
No doubt the healings, miracles etc. had a dramatic effect upon George's ministry. People flocked to his meetings, which resulted in the largest halls in Britain being packed to capacity by those eager to witness the power and demonstration of the Holy Spirit that was so evident in the meetings and his preaching.
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