A PREACHER from the Lone Star State will be visiting Okehampton next month to tell her extraordinary story.

Internationally renown Texan preacher Elizabeth Austin will be speaking at New Life Church, Okehampton, on Sunday, February 8. She has been invited as a guest of Inspiration (Church of the Nations) Pastor Mike Davies, with both Inspiration and New Life hosting the event.

Elizabeth is the international liaison director of Missions for Good News World Outreach based in Fort Worth, Texas.

She is currently based in Johannesburg, South Africa but travels extensively to churches around the world.

Elizabeth was the first woman to speak at a Full Gospel Business Men?s Fellowship International breakfast, being asked by Demos Shakarian, founder of the vision of FGBMFI, after she had returned from a Holy Spirit led mission to Mexico.

She was only 18 at the time and became known as the ?kid preacher?. She was called into ministry when she was only 14 years old and went on to the Oral Roberts Bible College.

During this time she stayed with the Roberts in their family home. After her ordination she worked for many years with drug addicts and down-and-outs.

In 2001, Elizabeth had a remarkable escape when a 60 ton lorry hit her car. When rescuers cut into the car to reach her, they thought she was dead as her head was resting on her right shoulder and was only held on by her spinal column. Over the next year Elizabeth was flat on her back in hospital having her spinal column rebuilt ? some 14 vertebra were fractured.

Elizabeth is known for her ministry in signs and wonders and has now established a network of ministries which continues to grow daily.

She has recently ministered in America, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, Congo, Kenya, Namibia, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Swaziland, Sweden, South Africa, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Mike Davies first met Elizabeth last year and through the resources of the Seedsowers Trust, based in Buckfastleigh, invited Elizabeth to speak in Okehampton.

Large numbers are expected at New Life Church at 6.30pm on Sunday February 8, to listen to Elizabeth speak and it is advised to arrive early to ensure a seat.