“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” 1 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV
When you personally “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” God’s Word works in you. God’s Word is quick and powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).
When I was two weeks old, my parents began taking me with them to church virtually every time the doors were open. But when I was two years old, my Dad, W. Lawson Dooms, was “born again.”
He was singing in the choir and would greet and shake the hand of each person who responded to the public invitation. But the pastor’s preteen daughter approached him, kicked his shin, looked him in the eye, and said, “You big hypocrite.” Dad was stunned, and confessed to my mother what happened.
My mother approached the pastor and said, “Lawson needs to talk with you.” And that night at choir practice, Preach Blackburn shared the Gospel, prayed, and led my Dad to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus.
Later, Pastor Blackburn resigned and another pastor replaced him.
Soon Dad was ordained a deacon, and the chairman asked Dad if he would host a deacons’ meeting at his home. He consented, not knowing that they were going to try to “fire the pastor.” Dad was chagrined, and said he would never host another meeting like that at his house. And from that moment forward, he became the pastor’s friend.
The next pastor and his wife, Albert and Alma Fauth, almost immediately became close friends with our family.
Dad designed a display to hang behind the pulpit: “Christ died for our sins.” I watched with fascination as my Dad painted and constructed it, and was thrilled when the white glass neon cross turned blood red the night of the dedication. It was an awesome moment for me.
Soon, during an evangelistic campaign, I responded to the Gospel, kneeling at the altar with my parents and pastor by my side in front of the message “Christ died for our sins.” I made the personal decision to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The following week, the majority of the congregation reorganized under the name “Grace Memorial.”
Meanwhile, Dad constructed a duplicate of the “Christ died for our sins” sign, arranging to place it facing US 41, just south of Terre Haute, Indiana.
For nearly 20 years, Dad continued praying, pondering, serving, searching scriptures, seeking counsel from his former and present pastors, and then followed his heart’s desire.
Early in 1951, my parents moved to Greenville, South Carolina where I was a student at Bob Jones University. Together we established Gospel Advertising Association, designing and constructing “roadside missionaries” sharing “Christ is the answer” alongside US 25 and US 29; and along US 41 between Macon, Georgia and Miami, Florida saying “Believe on Christ.” Dad developed and used his God-given artistic talents to point people to Christ.
Warren Wiersbe wrote: “The Word of God within us is a great source of power in times of testing and suffering. If we appreciate the Word (the heart), appropriate the Word (the mind), and apply the Word (the will), then as a whole person we will be controlled by God’s Word and He will give us the victory.”
Across the years, there have been many TTT TIGER*Team IMPACT! evangelistic youth efforts in Mt. Carmel, Illinois and other communities, including Fair Share each summer. Last summer, teams went to 9 county fairs and street festivals, giving bottles of cold water and sharing God’s ABCs with over 2,100, sharing one on one with 131, with 62 of these making the personal decision to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Meanwhile, TTT Saturday nights continue at 7:27 every week (13000 Highway 41 North at Boonville New Harmony Road, midway between the Evansville Airport and Interstate 64) reaching and teaching teenagers and preteens for Christ.
November 2 is to be “South of the Border Nacho Night”; December 7 will feature Jesus’ birthday cake, sharing the Gospel using the “wordless book” concept; January 4, 2025 – New Years happening; February 1, TTT turns 59, God willing. March 1 through May 3 is Hosanna Highway.
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your King is coming to you; He is just and having salvation, Lowly and riding on a donkey, A colt, the foal of a donkey.” Zechariah 9:9 NKJV
It predicts God’s Word in the Gospels: “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Are you following God’s Word?