Call to Commitment

Jose speaks in the chapel at the inaugural service

Hotel and Bible School, "The Great Commission"

 Last Sunday, he and Marga, along with the students and staff, held a special inauguration on the new property. Here, I will let you read Jose´s report of the event: 

Below is a song that I learned as a boy, one that since has often brought tears to my eyes. My voice would often break as I sang it, as the wonderful news of the gospel would vividly come to my mind.

 TELL IT AGAIN

1. Into a tent where a Gypsy boy lay,

Dying alone at the close of the day;

News of salvation we carried, said he,

“Nobody ever has told it to me.”

As I prepare and share radio programs on the Old Testament kings, I am made aware, once more, of man´s inability to handle power, no matter how great his character and spiritual maturity. We need constant reminders of the propensity of a common fault in human nature. David fell and a long line of Israel and Judah´s kings followed him. I just studied good King Uzziah, of whom it was said that “he became exceedingly strong… he was marvelously helped till he became strong.” But then, “When he was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction.” He became furious, when the priests tried to advise him for his own good, and ended his life alone and in disgrace.

 The apostle Paul understood this defect in human nature, even in those born again, and was humble enough to write of his own personal experience: “Lest I should be exalted above measure… a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  

 Don’t think that Tozer chose this text, looking for a sermon for his Sunday morning service in his church, or that he prepared it for preaching in one of the annual “Councils” (as they called them) of his denomination. That is, he wasn’t motivated by an urge to have an interesting text to catch the attention of the thousands of people attending from all parts of America and representatives of various parts of the world.

 We lived within 300 miles of Chicago, where Tozer was pastoring a church. I was only 19-years-old when Tozer died and I don’t remember ever hearing him in person, but I have read every book I could find of his and listened to dozens of his tapes. My dad heard him on various occasion in these “Councils”, that I mentioned, or in pastoral conventions, because he belonged to the same denomination. Also, I communicated for at least ten years personally, by letters and by telephone with a good friend of Tozer, Leonard Ravenhill. Len preached in Tozer’s church, prayed alone with him and considered him his mentor.

 No, from what I know about Tozer, he didn’t write this chapter because its theme would fit nicely into his book. He wrote it because he knew personally some of these “kings¨, just like the one described in Ecclesiastes, and I suspect that he found some of them in the organization that he belonged to. Tozer had enemies, who didn’t like him, because he brought to light the situations that he knew on his back doorstep. I had a friend, who was a student at a Bible school under the same denomination. Tozer came to talk to the students at the school’s “spiritual life week”, and afterwards was severely criticized by some of the professors.  

Recently a fascinating documentary has been filmed about high school basketball in Chinli, Arizona, a village on the Navajo Reservation. Chinli was Herman Williams’ hometown, which he left to explore the “Land of the Cowhide”. An educated Navajo youth explained the geography of the US to Herman, as a cowhide thrown over a fence, when he was lost in an Arizona city, . The neck was New England, the front foot, Florida, the belly, Texas, the backside, California, and the backbone, the border with Canada. Unable to read or write, he couldn’t find his way home for years.  

 This article was first published on February 29, 2012. It was an attempt to write in a few pages a story which could easily fill a large volume. The life of Herman Williams has been a great inspiration to me personally. I don’t know of any other person, to whose story and testimony I have referred more often, when I am speaking publicly. I hope you will be able to grasp a little of the wonder of a most fascinating world… the world where God is at work in the lives of human beings.

Ilze & Matt in prayer (note Jesus T-shirt)

 I think that this is the most exciting of all the segments we have presented so far of Matt Luneau with the story of Brandon Gleason. This is the final segment, republished from articles in 2013:

 It seems that the people who are experiencing what is happening in the Swanton-Enosburg, Vermont, area, are having a difficult time putting it into words. It is something unique... something that just does not happen anymore in America. A high school is a dark place, a habitat for demons. Many teachers are godless and teach evolution religiously. It is forbidden to bring anything about God into school. Laws have been made to prevent that. Many young people are given over to their pleasures, do not attend church, and have no time for God. But now this small high school has been confronted with the reality of death. The boy who died was a star basketball player and very well-liked by students and teachers. He came to Christ only a few months ago, but he had no inhibitions about sharing his new-found faith. Through his death, it would seem, the school has responded to this boy´s faith and wants to show their support for it. And it is not contained within the walls of the school; the whole community seems moved.

 The website of the Sunday morning service at our son Dan's church is no longer available. Many of the friends, including most of the team mates, and families, who wouldn’t normally come to church, were present at the service and the coach spoke very directly to them. He called to them one by one in the meeting and begged them to turn to God. Then Daniel preached on “Life is a Vapor; Teach Us to Number Our Days”. At the close of the service they sang the basketball team’s theme song, “Victory in Jesus.” The website was shared all around the state of Vermont, I'm sure it's in answer to many prayers for that area.

 Matt writes:

 Today was the first day back to school for the students since Brandon had passed away.   I just wanted to share a few of the highlights in seeing God work in an awesome way. I first wanted to tell you that a few weeks ago, Brandon wanted to start “Wednesday Worship”, where students would wear the Believe in Jesus T-Shirts in school on Wednesdays.  So he shared this idea with me, while he was wearing his orange Jesus T-shirt in school.  I told him that the idea was great, but he was going to have to be the guy who recruits people for the T-shirts and I would supply the T-shirts. So one day he comes to me with excitement "Coach, the Cook twins said they would wear the Jesus T-shirts."  

The Brandon Gleason Story… A Little Different

The high school in a town near Swanton, Vermont, called Enosburg, is very grateful to have a coach of Matt’s caliber to coach the team. In a newspaper article, Brandon Gleason, the leading scorer on the team, commented: “At first it was a little different. Guys were like, ‘Do we really have to do all of this?’ But it has helped us.” A little different? Matt insisted that the whole team up their grades. A little different? Matt went to a boy, who had missed two years of basketball, because of drug problems; he led him to Christ, the boy stopped taking drugs, and has become one of the best players on the team. Brandon Gleason also received Christ. A little different? Matt taught the team gospel songs (although they had never sung before) and took them to different churches to sing them. After a basketball victory, Matt texted a message to Brandon, “Oh, victory in Jesus!” To which Brandon texted back, “My Savior forever!”

 Standing before their former home in Syracuse, Matt texted a friend: “Why did we leave Syracuse?” He had a promising position as a women’s basketball coach in that very sports-minded university, with a larger salary and this nice home. You are about to read the answer to his question…

God begins to take His rightful place at Enosberg High School

 You might want to review the February 13 newspaper article (see it in the May 3^rd article) about Matt and emails written by him that we posted here. Matt and his family attend the church in Swanton, where our son, Dan, is pastor. He has found a job, coaching a high school basketball team. Dan received the email from Matt that follows my comments.

 I want to take a paragraph to honor Ilze, Matt’s wife, who has stood beside her husband through thick and thin, while raising three girls. She shares the same raging passion to share the gospel and often they walk together into public parks and begin to talk with anyone, who will listen. Ilze also shares Christ through an unbelievable ability to dribble basketballs… up to six at a time! She uses her opportunities to give her testimony in little talks after she performs. She has even done feats before Jay Leno and at halftime at NBA and college games.

 I thought no one could talk about God in a public school activity, especially in a liberal state like Vermont. I thought there could be no songs that mentioned God or Christ. Apparently, I was wrong. Or maybe I’m right, but here is a Christian that ignores those phony challenges and goes after souls! Dan wrote me that Matt and his wife, Ilze, are doing everything that needs to be done, in order for him to get fired. But so far, nobody’s talking about firing him. In fact, as you have already read, he is making a thrilling impression, not only on the boys he coaches, but on school officials. Go for it, Matt!! Pray for him, people!!

From Syracuse University to Enosberg High School

 This is the first of four segments, which we will present. I invite you to read and enjoy one of God’s wonderful works, things that He is doing in our times. Matt and Ilze´s two oldest girls are young ladies now and the youngest, although I’m not sure of her exact age, must be approaching her teenage years. Ilze does basketball dribbling exhibitions, using up to six basketballs! Recently they visited Ilse’s homeland, Latvia, and have now returned to their home in Vermont. Once again, for those who haven´t read this story, allow me to introduce my friend Matt Luneau, who, along with his wife, Ilze, and family attend our son Dan's church in Swanton Vermont. Here is a story worth reading, about some people who feel it is more important to obey God, rather than men. Please follow it to the final segment...