September 2000

 

 

Dear Saints,

 

Since the start of this new school year I have already preached on 11 different campuses in 6 States.

 

Our summer was going according to schedule, until the middle of June.  When, upon finishing my duties of teaching the teen class of a South Georgia Youth Camp, we received a call from one of Sister Bonnie's brothers that Sister Bonnie's mother had fallen and broken her ankle requiring her to be in a wheel chair for at least two months.  We ended up staying there for 12 weeks.  Three days after we left, Sister Bonnie's mother suffered a heart attack and is currently in the hospital where she has suffered another heart attack plus a stroke.

 

In July, I attended my Catholic High School's 20^th Class Reunion.  Before the meal, the Class Officers asked me to say the Blessing over the food.  I was totally surprised.  After conveying to them that I would not be reciting a Catholic prayer, I consented.  They turned down the music, told everyone to quiet down, announced that I would be saying the Blessing and handed me the microphone.  Afterwards, two of my old buddies complimented me on my prayer.  I thank the Lord for allowing me to consistently shine the light before my old classmates for the past 20 years.  They even asked me to pray instead of the Priest that was present.

 

Also in July, Bro. Chris Oliver asked me to come to Cleveland, Tennessee and encourage his young, fire breathing, street preachers that he has in his Church.  I was refreshed to see a Church already active in Soul Winning before I arrived.  We hit the streets on Friday and Saturday night and one young man got saved.  I was refreshed at the fact that Bro. Oliver's street preachers did not just want to watch me perform.  They were already used to rolling up their sleeves and putting their hands to the street ministry plow.  I just hope that I encouraged them as much as they encouraged me!!

 

After Sunday night service, a 33-year-old woman drove up in the parking lot drunk as a skunk.  She told us how that her brother was a big Charismatic Pastor in town, and how that he was personally appointed, anointed and positioned by Benny Hinn.  She was a vocalist that had traveled the world with all of the big name Charismatics.  Her health, wealth and prosperity world had come to a screeching halt three years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer and could no longer maintain a good stage image.  She told us that she was tired of being a hypocrite, for she had always smoked and drank during her travels.  She came to Bro. Oliver's Church knowing that they had the goods and could help her.  Pray that she finds the God of the Bible!!

 

In August, I helped preach Bro. Max Lynch's funeral in Terre Haute, Indiana.  Bro. Max, who had started preaching on campuses in 1974, was one of my first mentors.  Bro. Max was one of the most consistent people that I knew.  He was the same man three weeks before his death that he was when I first met him 18 years ago.  He was 71.

 

Larry, my 43-year-old brother, is critically in need of a liver transplant.  He was saved some 18 years ago and consistently witnessed on the streets of Evansville, Indiana.  He has not had a drop of alcohol since conversion but he had contracted hepatitis B prior to salvation.  He is in a hospital in Indianapolis and is first in line for a liver.

 

Please pray for Sister Bonnie's mother Juanita Jones and my brother Larry Gilles.

 

We thank you for your love and prayers.

 

Brother Jim - Sister Bonnie - Aaron - Gabrielle