“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 NKJV
Two Christian businessmen stopped by Gospel Advertising on their way to the Christian Businessmen’s Crusade in Lakeland, Florida. Inviting me to go along, they said I would have to get ready immediately because they were on their way. Asking my wife Mary to get a suitcase and clothes ready, within a matter of moments I was headed to Florida.
Shortly after we arrived, the former director of Charleston, West Virginia Youth for Christ asked if he could interview me on radio about the roadside missionary ministry of Gospel Advertising Association. During the interview, a tall gentleman was standing by to be interviewed next, listening intently. When we were finished, Henderson Belk, son of the founder of Belk Stores based in Charlotte, North Carolina, introduced himself and said he was very interested in what I had to say.
He invited me to ride with him to Orlando, where he was to meet with the Lindsey brothers, co-owners of Belk Stores there. Henderson went with them to fly over the vicinity of the burgeoning Space Center under construction, near Cocoa Beach Merritt Island, and Titusville.
On our return trip back to the Christian Businessmen’s Crusade in Lakeland, Henderson peppered me with questions, and his interest in the roadside missionary project increased.
Attending a pre-rally prayer time back at Lakeland, Henderson said, “I want to help get the Gospel by the side of the road, and I am pledging now to make a gift for that purpose to Gospel Advertising Association when I get back to Charlotte.”
Also attending the Lakeland Christian Businessmen’s Crusade was Roger Malsbary, founder of Indianapolis Youth for Christ, now serving as chairman of the board of Fort Lauderdale Youth for Christ.
Explaining that I had been at the fifth anniversary rally of Indianapolis YFC at Cadle Tabernacle and watched him as he emceed the rally, it was a delight to meet him personally.
My friend Jerry Burleson had left Cincinnati Youth for Christ and was working to set up crusades for Lloyd Bardowell and others through Gospel Advertising. Jerry asked me to go with him to Kansas City, where the national YFC Directors School was in session, so that he might meet with the leaders and become a YFC director again somewhere. I consented to go with Jerry, if we would go on to Lincoln, Nebraska to visit friends with Back to the Bible Broadcast.
Roger Malsbury called later, asking if I could recommend a director for Fort Lauderdale YFC. It was a privilege to recommend Jerry Burleson, and he soon invited me to speak at a rally there.
Meanwhile, we had moved Gospel Advertising’s headquarters from Greenville, South Carolina to Bradenton, Florida. Immediately, God gave me a burden to establish Tamiami Youth for Christ along the Tamiami Trail from Tampa to Miami, with headquarters in Bradenton.
Soon I was invited to fly to Chicago to meet with the Youth for Christ International magazine committee regarding becoming circulation / advertising director.
After much soul-searching and prayer with my pastor, my parents, and other trusted friends, we made the decision to accept the offer. Mary and I moved to the Wheaton area Halloween weekend 1960.
God used His Word, especially Romans 8:28: “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.” … And Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.“
“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 NKJV
“Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna! “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”‘” Mark 11:9 NKJV
Hosanna Highway is continuing at TTT Saturday nights through April 18: Jesus’ trial, the Cross, the burial, the Resurrection, and His challenge to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” Mark 16:15 NKJV
Jesus gave the message: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 NKJV
When you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, having admitted that you have sinned, it’s time to confess Christ publicly to every possible person: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 NKJV
Will you be a Truth-telling connector today?