February 2003      

 

Dear Saints,

 

HALLELUJAH, IT IS OVER!!!!!!!  As of December 27, 2002, an ORDER OF COURT rendered by Judge Gregory A. Olson ended the most vicious and malicious legal attack against me by any University in my 20 years of preaching.  The ORDER OF COURT states: “AND NOW, December 27, 2002, upon consideration of Defendant’s Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus, said Petition is granted.  There is insufficient evidence to support the charges against the Defendant.  Accordingly, all charges are dismissed.”  These words came as a great relief to Sister Bonnie and I on Saturday the fourth of January 2003, when our Defense Attorney called us with the good news.  Sister Bonnie simply broke down and cried.

 

Since October 5, 2001, this black cloud loomed over our heads for 14 months.  I thank the Lord for smiling upon us and handing us a total victory.  Not only did Judge Olson issue an Order of Dismissal, but issued a 10 page “spanking” to the University Administration, Police Department and County Prosecutor for holding these charges over my head.  The language used by the Judge could not have any more direct and to the point as he shot down each of the remaining four charges against me.  I thank God for an honest Judge that took the time to examine all of the evidence that was presented.  I say the remaining four charges against me because there were at one time six charges against me.  Four misdemeanor and two felony charges were involved in this case.  The two felony charges were dismissed back in November of 2001 after the Preliminary Hearing was held.   I also thank all of those Free Gospel Bible Institute students that accompanied my family and I that day.  Thanks to the Administration and Faculty of Free Gospel Bible Institute for allowing the students to take off from class twice as some of them also joined me at the Preliminary Hearing.  Special thanks to Brother Dudley Zerbel who let us borrow his video camera in order to record that days activities.  His video camera was confiscated by the arresting officer, (Sherlock), and was not returned until last month…15 months later.

 

On the victory side of this battle, I look back with 20/20 hind sight vision and thank the Lord Jesus Christ for the chance to be a testimony and a witness to the campus police, administration, faculty, staff and students who either saw us preach that day or read about us in the city and/or campus newspapers, especially the University students from the Business Law class that attended the Preliminary Hearing.  I am thankful for the chance to be a witness to the jailers, jail guards, and prisoners during those five days that I spent in the County Jail.  The Judges, Lawyers, especially the Jewish lawyer that helped reduce my bail from $5000.00 to $500.00, the Court Reporters, Prosecutors and Court Clerks that were involved in this case that either heard or saw the video and/or audio-tapes of my preaching that day, may the Spirit of God bring His word back to their remembrance.  I am thankful for the Students at Free Gospel Bible Institute, who were encouraged, stirred and emboldened by our stand for the Gospel.  Finally, we are thankful for all of you who stormed the gates of hell for us and verbally encouraged us during this time of trial and testing, we are forever indebted to you.

 

We thank you for your love and prayers.

 

Brother Jim, Sister Bonnie, Aaron, Gabrielle and Arielle