I love telling stories of God’s faithfulness in people’s lives. When Jerry turned around Sunday morning in the lobby of our church and I saw that the color had returned back to his face, I was thrilled!

You see, Jerry, who is 84 years young, and has the most precious relationship with God, was diagnosed with Leukemia about a year ago. It was pretty rough there for a while, but he did well with the Leukemia treatment infusions and is now in remission. Thank God!

Right on the heels of that Jerry got Covid-19 and was sick for quite a while with that as well. For so many months he would come to church and sit there, looking very pale and like he was just trying to hang on. It was heartbreaking to see him that way, but we, his church family, would surround him with love and speak life over him and pray for him week after week, month after month.

Eventually, he found out he was anemic. No wonder he was so pale and had almost zero energy. Once his doctor found out he started Jerry on iron infusions which really helped.

Then, five weeks ago Jerry fell at the wood shop – missed a step and fell on his back so he’s now recovering from a fractured back which was another reason it was so good to see him standing up straight at church on Sunday.

Jerry’s wife Lonnie said, “He is still very weak but getting better every day!” And Jerry told me his wife Lonnie is his rock!

At our church, Living Word Church in Leasburg, MO, we believe in Jesus’ finished work. We believe through Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection He qualified humanity for everything He died and rose again to give them by wiping out the penalty for the world’s sin.

We also believe what Jesus died to provide for each person is appropriated in their lives once they choose to accept this gift of salvation by accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. If you’ve never done this you can say yes to Jesus today. See my “Jesus In The Driver’s Seat” article in the last paragraph of this blog post!

The finished work of Christ is what we hear preached at our church and it’s the center of our conversation. In fact, we talk a lot about wins at Living Word. “Who has had a win this week that you can think of?” Pastor Dan will ask. And wow, do we see lots of wins. So many people have been helped and healed!

Jerry’s story is one of so, so many wins and I personally believe that is because our eyes are pointed to Jesus as opposed to ourselves… week after week after week.

Now, does that mean we have never experienced anything hard and heartbreaking in our church? No, it doesn’t. We’ve seen people die that we were believing would live and we’ve had funerals that we had hoped to avoid. But even in the middle of this pain we know as a church family that God is only good according to James 1:17 and it is always the thief who comes to kill, steel and destroy according to John 10:10. Thankfully John 10:10 does not end there though. Jesus went on to say, “I came that they may have life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].”

When I sat down with Jerry after church this past Sunday to discuss his health and why he believes he’s doing so good he began to cry. First of all he told me he has never and will never blame anything bad that he goes through on God. He knows God is only good and it’s clear he believes that it’s God who has helped him through this difficult season! He told me the love he has received from his church family has also meant so much to him.

Jerry also told me how convinced he is of God’s faithfulness. In tears he said, “There have been many times throughout my life when I was told I was not going to make it.”

At the age of 13 the doctor told his parents he would never walk again as a result of Rheumatic Fever. He said his knees were drawn all the way up to his chest. After the doctor told his parents there was nothing more he could do, a group of Believers came to pray for Jerry. He did not take a step for 13 months after that but he did walk again and has been walking ever since!

Anytime Pastor Dan asks Jerry to read a Bible passage or testify to the church he always ends up choking back tears because He has seen the faithfulness of God for the past 84 years. I’m so glad I get to spend eternity in heaven with Jerry. Watching his journey has taught me so much!

If you have not yet made Jesus your Savior and received the wonderful joy that His finished work on the cross has provided for you to live in, please visit my page here titled Jesus In The Driver’s Seat. On this page I explain the good news of the gospel and you will have the opportunity to pray a prayer of salvation, making Jesus your Savior! Jesus loves you and His arms are wide open!

Sandra McCollom

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Steve

Great Story from a Great Couple!

Tonya

These two wonderful people are my in-laws and I could not agree more with what you have shared. Ever since I have known them both I have seen that tenderness that comes from hearts that have been touched by God’s spirit. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful story and I know that it will bless them and they will receive it in their humble way:).

Tonya Cape
Tecumseh, KS