” ‘Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,’ which is translated, ‘God with us.’ ” Matthew 1:23 NKJV
Checking on what seemed to be an ideal location for a Christian communication center at the corner of US Highway 41 North and Boonville New Harmony Road, I inquired if the house and property was for sale, and was told, “Nope. Not now, and probably never will be.”
2 1/2 years later, God was nudging me to go back to that same intersection. Driving south on Highway 41, I saw a “For Sale” sign at the mailbox.
Immediately, I headed for Camp Reveal, and began walking around Old Bethel, where I had prayed with Dr. Ernest I. Reveal years before. And as I walked and prayed, I said, “Lord, it’s for sale. You know we have no money, no resources, but it’s for sale. So Father, I claim this property for you.”
As I prayed, I read Joshua 1:8-9 aloud: “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
The owner, Mr. Gay Lockwood, suggested that his realtor, Mr. Curt Huber, make contact with his accountant to discuss possibilities. Meeting at the Evansville Country Club for lunch, the accountant said, “The idea sounds interesting, but I don’t know if we can do anything or not.” I breathed a silent, “Thank you, Lord, he didn’t say no.”
God continued to open doors to present the Gospel and the possibility of establishing the proposed Christian communication center.
As we continued asking people to pray, my parents invited us to bring our ten-month-old daughter Tami Leigh to have her first Christmas with them in Bradenton, Florida. I shared that plan with Mr. Huber, and he asked me to call immediately upon our return.
Mary and I were driving a Pontiac Tempest convertible, and we set up a bed for our daughter where the convertible top folded behind the backseat, and it worked wonderfully. Together with my parents and friends, we presented the need for God to work the miracles necessary to establish a Christian communication center at that ideal location.
Returning to the outskirts of Evansville, I put a dime in the first telephone booth possible and called Mr. Huber. He said, “Mr. Lockwood has a major problem to talk with you about. Call him as soon as possible.”
Inserting another dime, I called Mr. Lockwood. He asked us to “meet him at the place” so he could show us his problem. With my heart pounding and praying intently, we arrived at the property. Mr. Lockwood said, “I want to show you my problem. See all this furniture? I have no place to store it. See this tractor in the garage? I have no other place to keep it.”
My reply was, “Mr. Lockwood, we don’t have enough furniture to fill these rooms. You can just keep it here, and the tractor too.”
He said, “Problem solved. Let’s work with Curt Huber on the details.”
Later, when I was with John McCarty at the Youth for Christ office in Fort Branch, Mr. Huber called, asking, “Can you write a tax-exempt receipt?” I answered, “Yes.” Mr. Huber then asked me to sign a note for $2,000 earnest money, due in 90 days, and to get a co-signer. John McCarty agreed to co-sign the note.
So we rented a U-Haul truck to move our belongings from our apartment in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and Paul Cedar, who was establishing a new local church ministry nearby, volunteered to help us load the U-Haul.
We moved in to occupy the house situated on 2 1/3 acres, and announced that the TTT doors would open Saturday, February 5, 1966. We began with two teenagers and a few adults attending. That night, I stated that we would meet every Saturday for the next 30 years. The Gospel would always be presented with an invitation to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Through every step, God has been with us. That hoped-for 30 years is now nearly 60, and the 2 1/3 acres is now 30, and God continues to be with us.
February 7, 2026 – Rendezvous – 60 years (God willing) and counting. You are invited to bring your family and friends.
Jesus Christ is Immanuel – God with us. Let’s celebrate!