From childhood, Larry K. Johnstone was taken to church. When he got older, he joined the US Army, serving during the Vietnam era (but not in country). He was with the 1st Armored Division sent to land in Cuba during the crisis. Once released from active duty, he went to a small mission church run by two elder women. There was no pastor there, but an evangelist came preaching Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Ghost. God gave Larry the gift of His Spirit in June, 1965.