March 2001

 

 

Dear Saints,

 

We have another urgent prayer request.  This past January, my father, Al Gilles, was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  The cancer is inoperable and he was given six months to live.  We were in Texas during January and February and were planning to stay there and preach our way into Oklahoma this spring. Since the news of my father we have changed our itinerary this spring in order to be closer to Indiana.  I do hope that you Okies understand.

 

Since the Election ended, I have noticed a calming effect amongst the students, in general, their attention span seems to have doubled overnight, their questions are not as contentious and their tempers are lower.  I talked to Bro. John Duncan and he told me that he has experienced the exact same effect this year.  I have talked to Pastors and laity and they also express the same sentiment.  Hallelujah!  Now, I do not know how long that this welcomed calm will last, but I have not seen the likes since President Reagan's second term.

 

The Lord helped me open up seven new campuses in Texas during January and February, while visiting already established campuses.

 

Preaching this year has been a pure enjoyment.  For example, at Texas A&M in Kingsville, Texas, I experienced a crowd that was as calm as I can remember any crowd being.  The Baptists were stirred a little but the Assembly of God Chi Alpha students silenced them by agreeing with me.  I was able to pull out some old campus messages that I had not been able to preach in years due to the crowd's inability to listen for long durations.  I was pleasantly surprised when the Chi Alpha students asked me to speak at their Thursday night meeting.

 

Coastal Bend College, consisting of 1500 students, in big town Beeville, Texas shall never BEE the same.  The College insisted that I not preach outdoors, but man a booth inside of the Student Center.  I told the Administration after they had insisted that I speak in a building, "Alright, if you want me in a building then I will give you what you ask for."  So, I made five posters, two "WARNINGS TO ALL," one "TURN OR BURN," one "REPENT OR PERISH," one "EVERY KNEE SHALL BOW EVERY TONGUE SHALL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD."  The "WARNINGS TO ALL" signs listed every sin that I could think of.

 

Before I could finish taping up the two "WARNING TO ALL" signs, I was swarmed by scores of inquisitive students.  Many of the students had a blast trying to find their favorite sins.  They would say, "See that one, that's me."  Several students added to my list by naming sins that I had overlooked.  I preached to them from within a building for three solid hours.  Yes, this was on a Friday Afternoon at a Community College.  That College shall never BEE the same as the crowd begged me to stay longer than I did and even wanted me to give them my posters after autographing them.

 

The very same Vice President of Coastal Bend College that had told me, just two days prior, that it was unlawful for me to preach on his campus, due to the fact, that, I can not "impose my beliefs on others due to the separation of Church and State," just stood speechless in the back of the room as I turned that Student Lounge into a Church House.  Thank the Lord for the Victory!!!

 

We thank you for your love and prayers.

 

Brother Jim - Sister Bonnie - Aaron - Gabrielle