“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matthew 6:33 NKJV
The Reverend J.C. Greer lived from July 27, 1908 through March 10, 1998.
“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV
That scripture helped keep J.C. Greer from becoming discouraged and giving up.
Converted at age 16, married at 20, and called to preach at 24, his ministry began with 4 quarter-time churches. At age 31, he started college while pastoring 2 half-time churches. At age 38, he graduated from Southern Illinois University – the first in his family to graduate from college.
Motivated by Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” J.C. Greer had a real passion for seeing people, especially teenagers, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.”
June 18, 1950, he performed the wedding ceremony for his daughter Mary and me.
It was my personal privilege to be invited to lead evangelistic crusades in each of the last 5 churches he pastored – First Baptist Churches of Mt. Carmel, Casey, Sparta, Patoka, and Kell, Illinois. In every situation, teenagers and adults surrendered to the invitation, publicly professing their personal faith in Christ.
Pastor J.C. Greer wrote: “The Lord has a plan for every life. He expects everyone to find that plan and develop every talent which will bring about successful completion of the plan.”
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV
Between 1933 and 1974, J.C. Greer conducted 55 evangelistic meetings outside his own congregations.
Pastors have been a vital part of my life since I was two weeks old, when my parents began regularly attending a local church. When I was two years old, Pastor Leroy “Preach” Blackburn led my Dad to Jesus. Dad began serving as a deacon, and became the friend of every pastor he served. Virtually all my life, it was “commonplace” to host pastors and their families, sharing meals and fellowship together.
Following D.L. Moody’s example, I chose not to be ordained by any particular denomination, but to serve the Lord as a layman, so that my ministry could be interdenominational – serving with Bible believing congregations everywhere God opens doors.
Since 1966, we have shared God’s glorious Gospel with and through more than 300 Tri-state congregations.
To perpetuate his outreach, Pastor J.C. Greer donated his study desk, commentaries, selected Bibles and books, and photos of the churches he pastored to Mary and me, now located at TTT.
Leading Youth Resource Information Connections to “Keep Evangelizing Youth” are ongoing.
The second Saturday of each month is “Leading Youth” day at TTT. Evangelism training for students and adults is made available from 3 PM through the rally (7:27 PM – 8:30 pm).
“The Thirsty Tooth” snack shop, game room, and other interactive options are available when the doors open at 6 PM and “post-rally.”
Complementary TTT NKJV Bibles and copies of God’s ABCs of salvation are presented to first time attendees.
TTT continues to be aggressively evangelistic, Bible believing, and church connected.
The final words every Saturday are: “Tomorrow is Sunday. Get up and get ready to go to your favorite Bible believing church, Sunday school, and youth group. And don’t just sit there; get involved. Christ through you can change the world!”
J.C. Greer’s memoirs include Ecclesiastes 3:1-10 (NKJV): “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain, And a time to lose; A time to keep, And a time to throw away; A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak; A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace. What profit has the worker from that in which he labors?”
Where are you in God’s plan for you?