“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NKJV
The past is prelude to the future. October 1929, the stock market crashed, causing the Great Depression. Families were devastated. Fortunes and lives were lost.
The intertwining of personalities … the crisscrossing of circumstances … putting the key players together could only be God ordained and Holy Spirit directed. The need to “Keep Evangelizing Youth” is ongoing!
Bob Jones, Sr. founded Bob Jones College in 1927. In March 1931, he started the Young People’s Fellowship Clubs, and graduates from the first class of Bob Jones College in 1931 were invited to begin or expand the clubs.
Victor Cory, by faith, in April 1931 opened a print shop in Chicago. The sign said: “The Scripture Press, Inc., publishers and printers … called into existence by the need for more Bible in the Bible schools of America.”
In Bradford, Pennsylvania, C.G. Taylor and W.T. Piper built a small airplane powered by a two-cylinder Tiger Kitten engine. Their accountant suggested, “Why not call the plane ‘The Cub?”. On June 15, 1931, the Cub was licensed for manufacture by the United States Department of Commerce.
Ultimately, hundreds of thousands would learn to fly in Piper Cubs. I was one. In 1945, my very first airplane ride was in a Taylorcraft. And to qualify as a member of the Christian Airmen Missionary Fellowship (later renamed Mission Aviation Fellowship), I began flight instruction on my 15th birthday, August 29, 1946, in a Piper Cub J-3, and later in an Aeronca Champ, soloing at age 16.
The Piper family were fundamentalist Christians. They were non-smokers and non-drinkers, as was Mr. Taylor. W.T. Piper‘s brother Arthur became a missionary to the Congo. Piper aircraft would later be used to transport missionaries across jungle territories in Africa, Central and South America, Australia, New Zealand, across the Caribbean, and other remote places.
Serving many of his final years as a missionary in England, China, India, and Africa, C. T. Studd died in Africa July 16, 1931. C. T. penned a poem, which he left behind: “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; Only what’s done for Christ will last.”
July 20, 1931 in Chicago, Torrey Johnson and Ray Schulenberg formed an evangelistic team (with no knowledge of C.T. Studd’s passing). They conducted meetings in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin through the fall of 1933.
Percy Crawford was born in Ontario, Canada. Coming to Los Angeles, he stayed at the BIOLA (Bible Institute of Los Angeles) Hotel and was converted at the Church of the Open Door. He immediately enrolled in BIOLA, and later continued his education at Westminster Seminary.
Crawford began the Young People’s Church of the Air with a radio broadcast from his Philadelphia church October 4, 1931.
All during the 1930s, ministries to young people accelerated. Bob Jones, Sr. and Percy Crawford effectively used radio. They not only presented the Gospel, but they promoted causes: Bob Jones, his college and the Young People’s Fellowship Clubs; Percy Crawford, his Pinebrook Bible Conference in Pennsylvania.
After serving together as student leaders of Mount Carmel Youth for Christ, pastor’s daughter Mary Greer and I were married June 18, 1950, and I immediately enrolled in the flight training program at Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina.
Across the years, God has opened door after door to “do the work of an evangelist.“
Mary was promoted to her heavenly home October 12, 2014. Our daughter, Tami, is now TTT’s President, and I serve as Founder and Ambassador at Large.
Remembering those things God has done … since founding TTT Christian Youth Ministries (formerly Tri-State Youth for Christ) in 1966, we’re continuing to reach forward Together Toward Tomorrow using multiple means and media – including radio, newspaper editorials, billboards, printed and online resources, public meetings, internet and social media, and one-on-one sharing – toward the ongoing vision: Every youth, before turning 20, to hear the Gospel with an invitation to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
You are invited to TTT Saturday, August 15, at 7:27 PM, for a Fair Share Celebration report rally – climaxing with complementary Papa John’s pizza and soft drinks and a personal American and Christian flag desk set for those attending in person.
Will you be a truth-telling connector? Invite everyone you can to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Let’s work Together Toward Tomorrow.