December 2005

 

 

 

Dear Saints,

 

I recently had occasion to preach with Brother John and Sister Ellen Duncan in Georgia.  At this time Bro. John is free of lymphoma cancer.  We all thank you for your continued prayers in this regard.

 

The Gilles family would like to also thank all of you for the prayers, phone calls, and encouragement regarding our scare with Sister Bonnie’s heart.  The EKG, Stress test and Angiocardiogram provided the conclusion that there is no more than five percent blockage anywhere in her heart and for a forty year old woman that is just about perfect.  For this we are very grateful.     

 

We have moved to 1681 State Route 1949 Symsonia, KY 42082 (270) 851-1569 home, (270) 705-9668 cell.  This is our new address for any and all correspondence.

 

We had two recent legal victories, one with Xavier University, a private Roman Catholic University in Cincinnati, Ohio and the most recent with Goshen College, a private Mennonite College in Goshen, IN. 

 

At Xavier, the campus security told Dr. Rick Bradley and me that they owned the city sidewalks between the city streets and the campus.  Dr. Bradley and I obtained copies of the plattes and confirmed with the City Engineer that the sidewalks were indeed City owned property.  We went back and spoke with the Chief of Campus Security who became most indignant insisting that Xavier owned the sidewalks threatening to arrest us if we resumed preaching.  Dr. Bradley and I turned the matter over to Attorney Nate Kellum with the Alliance Defense Fund who fired off demand letters demanding Xavier to stop interfering with our right to speak on public sidewalks.  Xavier would not back down until well into a federal lawsuit.  They finally admitted the simple obvious and settled before trial.  I traveled back to Xavier University, with my two oldest children Aaron and Gabrielle, video camera and tape recorder in hand, where I preached unhindered by Xavier Security.  Even though the Xavier Security came out they kept their distance and never approached me.

 

At Goshen College, the Goshen College Dean of Students failed to keep the students from gathering to hear me preach so he called the Goshen City Police who sent out Captain Sandra Snyder.  Captain Snyder threatened to arrest me if I would not leave the City Bike Path/sidewalk.  Again, I turned the matter over to Attorney Nate Kellum who fired off letters demanding the City of Goshen Police Department to back down.  They would not back down until well within a Federal law suit where they finally settled before trial.  This is the most recent victory and I have not had the time to return but I eagerly look forward to my Goshen College Victory Tour.

 

Special thanks to fellow church members, Skip and Karen Boyer, Dwayne Culbertson, Indiana licensed surveyor Reggie Timberlake and Attorneys Nate Kellum and Jeff Shafer for all of their time and labor in helping to bring these matters to victory. 

We thank you for your love and prayers,

 Brother Jim, Sister Bonnie, Aaron, Gabrielle, and Arielle