Do you know God divided light from darkness? 

“And God saw the light, that it was good. And God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4 NKJV

Darkness disappears when God’s light shines.

Invited to join the staff of Word Records, in July 1963, my wife Mary and I moved to Waco, Texas. 

We soon put together contests for Youth for Christ directors, producing “Teen to Teen Around the World.” Jim Groen, director of Denver YFC, won in 1965. Invited to speak there and present the award, the next day, I had lunch with Jim and Dottie Groen and Paul and Jeannie Cedar (in Denver coordinating the upcoming Billy Graham Crusade), and shared with them that we were expecting a baby. Mary called, asking me to try to fly home quickly.

Our lives were altered immensely. The birth announcement said: “Meet the world’s newest world changer, Tami Leigh Dooms.” 

Jarrell McCracken, Word president, asked me to represent Word to Christian bookstores in Illinois, Wisconsin, and the St. Louis area, informing that Word Records was now also in the book publishing business. 

A bookstore owner/pastor greeted me, asking: “Are you an evangelist?” I said: Yes, and also representing Word.” He informed me the evangelist booked for meetings had canceled. He asked for my phone number. 

When I returned to our apartment, Mary said I had a phone call to return as soon as possible. The pastor asked to meet the next day. Accepting his invitation for evangelism, my request was: “pull out the stops” and advertise the forthcoming meeting to the students at the two high schools nearest the church auditorium. God blessed abundantly, and many students from both schools responded to the invitation to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Meanwhile, I was asked to consider becoming editor of Christian Booksellers Magazine. 

After the successful evangelistic meetings, John McCarty asked if I would prayerfully consider directing Tri-State Youth for Christ, because he had decided to resign. 

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV

After much prayer, counsel, and reading God’s Word, I drove down Highway 41 to one more time knock on the door of the house I had seen 2 1/2 years previously. A sign by the mailbox said: “For Sale.”

Immediately, I went to Camp Reveal, praying and pacing around “Old Bethel,” claiming the property for God’s glory, asking God to provide. 

“Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to prayer …” 2 Chronicles 7:15 NKJV 

Calling the realtor listed on the sign, I met a representative and viewed the house. The asking price included 2 1/3 acres. Explaining that we had no money for the project on my heart, showing him a Kansas City Youth for Christ yearbook, he replied, “Call my boss, Mr. Curt Huber.”

Returning to my Aunt and Uncle’s home in Mt. Carmel, I tossed, turned, and prayed, asking God for ideas and miracles until about 3 AM, awakening at 8 AM to make the phone call. 

Driving to Evansville to meet with Mr. Huber, I said, “I have a ‘kooky’ idea that would require miracles. It’s December. Why not give half of the down payment now, and the other half in January. He replied, “I’ve been in the real estate business most of my life, and that is by far the kookiest offer I’ve ever heard. But why don’t we go out and talk to the owner and see what he says.” 

Showing the Kansas City Youth for Christ book to Mr. Gay Lockwood, he replied, “I don’t know what I can do. You’ll need to talk with my accountant.”

Mr. Huber called the accountant, arranging to have lunch at the Evansville Country Club to share again the “idea requiring God’s miraculous intervention.” 

Leaving our meeting, I prayed, “Thank you, Lord, he didn’t say no. Work out the details.” I drove immediately back to Camp Reveal, paced and prayed at Old Bethel, reading aloud Joshua chapter 1, and quoting: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6

At 7:27 PM Saturday, February 1, God willing, TTT Christian Youth Ministries will celebrate our 59th birthday on the 30-acre campus God miraculously provided.

“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 NKJV

Let’s pray, think ahead, and give the light.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top