History of Niles Christian Assembly
The Beginning 2
After the prayer, Sister Nicolene asked Sister Julia to come over to her house so that the
next time Sister Julia felt led to come to Niles, she could come to Sister Nicolenes house.
The very next day after Sister Nicolene sent the children off to school she went to her
bedroom and knelt down to pray asking the Lord to help her to understand. A great power came
upon her from the lord and she began to speak in a new language. During this prayer time as
she spoke with God, she saw Heaven open up and angels were singing in the background. She was
in prayer and communion with God from 12:00 noon until 4:00 p.m. She felt a glorious presence
about her, since she was speaking something she didnt understand, but she felt so good. There
was a peace, a joy like she was walking on air that encompassed her and she rejoiced greatly
that day.
Sister Nicolene went to her best friend, Sister Raffaela Villio and told her all that had happened to her. When sister Villio heard all that had happened and saw the glow on her face, she wanted to meet this lady visitor from Youngstown. The following week, Sister Julia came to Sister Nicolenes house and Sister Nicolene told her about her spiritual encounter with God. They knelt to pray and Sister Nicolene started to speak in tongues again. Sister Julia realized what it was and told her how the Lord had filled her with His Holy Spirit.
Sister Nicolene proceeded to tell Sister Julia that she had a dream about one month before meeting her. In this dream she was praying and telling God she wanted to know more about Him. She saw a lady talking to her about the Lord. Sister Julia knew that this was the same time the Lord was speaking to her about going to Niles.
Sister Nicolene opened her house never asking her husband (unsaved at that time) whether he approved or not. She took Sister Villio along with her to witness to many people in the city of Niles and a group of them accepted the Lord. They gathered in Sister Nicolenes house to pray and sing and worship God for a period of time. There was much persecution as different people tried to stop them or get them to stop having services. There were threats, firecrackers, firebombs thrown into the house, men coming to physically harm them, stench bombs, etc. Nothing got in the way of them meeting in Sister Nicolenes house for prayer and worship.