Testimonies
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Kevin.
September 18, 1998
Dear Brother Jed,
I was out there with the crowd for a good while (3+ hrs), and I was one of the ones remaining when we ended. I just want to say that while I can't agree with your message, I commend you for what you're doing. To come out and preach to the college crowd, that's brave. You are helping to make college what it really should be: an open
discussion/forum of ideas, where beliefs and opinions are traded civilly (for the most part), and people are exposed to a diverse range of ideas, and sometimes drawn to question their own. Please do come back again; I'll be there. By the way, you should know that even most of the people who argued with you the most don't think you're a "bad guy".
In a different take on an age-old saying, they don't like the message, but they respect the messenger. Anyways, I wish you safe travels, and though I won't wish you success for spreading your message, I will wish you success on stimulating more thought-provoking intellectual debate and discussion.
Cheers,
Kevin.
Merry Christmas
Dear Jed, Cindy & Family,
Grace, Peace & Merry Christmas to you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!!
Jed and Cindy, you don't remember me, but I fondly remember you two from my days in Gainesville, FL in the early '80s. You were the first people to show me I was not right with God and headed for hell. God used you to wake me up to my lost condition, leading to my salvation experience on DEC 9, 1981. Thank you so much for your faithfulness. I know you were back in G-ville earlier this month, but I couldn't get away to come up and see you. Nevertheless, you were in my prayers daily that week. How is "Radical Bill?" He's actually a sweet guy once you get past the "act" he puts on.
Jed, you and I spoke a few years back, after I had returned from my 1st deployment overseas (Iraq). I've just recently returned from my 2nd deployment (Kuwait). Both times God has been faithful to give me opportunities to minister, for which I'm truly thankful. He has graciously promoted me to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which puts me in a good position to influence soldiers positively and lead (read "serve") them. Please pray for me that I'd always remember the true role of a leader.
Karen is still busy home-schooling the kids, and leading a discipleship group for young girls, called Bright Lights. I'm using my Navigator training (thanks God!!) in meeting with a few men in the area.
Well, blessings to you!
Faithfully,
John and Karen Hornberger
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Bro. Gregory
Brother Jed,
I first heard you at Winona State University, located in Winona, Minnesota. I think that this was back in the fall of 1983. I only watched from a distance. The school newspaper reported that the campus security had to request you to 'quiet down' because you were disturbing classes. They had you move over by the tennis courts.
A couple of years later, in about 1985, I talked to both you and Sister Cindy at the University of Minnesota, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Sister Cindy had a child with her in the stroller. I didn't like being told that I was going to hell, but sometimes the truth does hurt. I bought your book 'Who Will Rise Up?'. You autographed the book for me as I talked to you. Actually, I believe that America could really use your message as a 'wake up' call. Spiritually, our nation has slid downhill since I first me you and your wife.
I should mention that my Christian friends though that you were some sort of clown. And non-Christians in my classes were upset that you were calling their 'fun times' -- fornication, homosexuality, drunken sprees, etc. -- SIN. Well, the Bible commands us to 'speak the truth in love', which you were doing! I'm glad that God protected me and kept me from ever becoming involved in that SIN. Still, God sent you to help Christians, like myself, 'wake up' and see that there is more than just a religious church on Sundays.
May God bless you, Sister Cindy, and your family. Thanks for help me 'Rise Up'.
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Bro. Painter
From: GePaint2
To: bro Jed
Sent: 2/3/2009 10:12:30 P.M.
Subj: Re: today's preaching
Dear bro.Jed
I just got my pc back today. It's.been in the shop. I was proud to be with you at Sam Houston state and learned by watching you. The way you handled yourelf under attack from the kids there! There was one student that attacked you with why you are preaching hate and then got mad and walked off. He came back and started on me, telling me to quote the scripture on my banner, and saying I was a sorry preacher that couldn't even quote it.
I did, but he just wanted to try to make me look stupid. Another told me he was there two years ago when you came there. Bro. Jed, I truly was blessed to have been privileged to be there with you. It was an experence I'll never forget! Just to have been with a great man of GOD like you was a blessing!
I will never forget the hunger in some of their faces. I did go back up there Friday about 11:30, and preached about two hours. I about wore myself out, and like you I would say at times there were about 150 to 200 gathered around. It was great the first time I ever preached on a campus.
I admit walking down that hill towards the free speech place; I was a little shakey. But when I opened my mouth, GOD took over !! After 37 years of ministry I just didn't know what to expect. I can't remember when I had preached so hard.
GOD bless you bro. Jed. I really pray we can meet up again somehere before JESUS comes. I am praying for you and your family
bro. Painter
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Marty
Posted by Marty on [20 Jan 2009 05:51PM]
In Reply to: 25 YEARS LATER posted by Jed Smock on [15 Jan 2009 06:47AM]
I saw Brother Jed preaching as I headed to the LSU student union for lunch. I was moved to stay and listen once again, and to express my gratitude at the end.
I wanted him to know that at least one person who stood there many years ago listening, probably unnoticed in the crowd, was convicted and inspired, and yes, rescued, by God's true gospel and the frankness with which he (Jed)delivered it.
I've never known or heard of a church service as unapologetic and faithful to the teachings of Jesus Christ as are Brother Jed's sermons. It's a blessing to college students that he's willing to be a vessel for the Truth.
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John Modler
To: brojed@aol.com
Sent: 12/25/2008 8:29:12 A.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: YOU ARE A TRUE GENERAL OF THE FAITH!
BRO JED-MAY THE PEACE OF CHRIST BE WITH YOU. I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON YOUR WEBSITE. IT IS VERY INFORMATIVE. I JUST GOT DONE READING YOUR GREAT BOOK-"WHO WILL RISE UP" IT IS VERY INSPIRATIONAL TO PREACHERS LIKE MYSELF. I THINK YOU ARE A TRUE GENERAL OF THE FAITH. YOUR CONFRONTATIONAL-NO HOLDS BARD-IN YOUR FACE TYPE OF PREACHING IS SO NEEDED IN THESE END TIMES. WE NEED TO BRING THIS NATION BACK TO CHRIST. WE NEED A TOTAL REVIVAL OF AMERICA. I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE DOING THIS WITH YOUR CRUSADE AND CAMPUS MINISTRY PROGRAM. AND YOU AND YOUR TEAM OF PREACHERS AND EVANGELISTS ARE DOING A GREAT JOB CONFRONTING AND REBUKING THE PEOPLE OF PERVERSITY.
WE ARE IN A CULTURE WAR. YOU HAVE PEOPLE OF FAITH-LIKE US UNDER ATTACK BY A SMALL MINORITY OF PEOPLE. THESE PEOPLE ARE THE SECULAR PROGRESSIVES. THEY ARE FOR ABORTION ON DEMAND AND GAY MARRIAGE AND OF THE FORMS OF PERVERSITY. THEY ARE ALL GODLESS. AND THEY ARE PROMOTING A GODLESS AGENDA. IT IS GOOD TO HAVE PEOPLE LIKE YOU AND REV. LEROY JENKINS-REV. DON STEWART-TAKING ON THESE PEOPLE. IT IS TIME FOR PEOPLE TO RISE UP AGAINST HE SECULAR PROGRESSIVE LIBERALS OF THIS COUNTRY. IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT YOU AS A TRUE GENERAL OF THE FAITH ARE LEADING THE CHARGE. WE ARE AT WAR FOR OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE AND CHRISTIAN NATION.
I DO NOT FEEL CALLED TO BE A CHURCH PASTOR. I FEEL CALLED TO DO THE SAME WORK YOU ARE DOING. I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN JOINING YOU AND ASSISTING YOU IN YOUR CASE. I AM A LICENSED MINISTER WITH THE MIRACLE LIFE FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL. AN APOSTOLIC HOLINESS PENTECOSTAL ORGANIZATION. UNDER THE ANOINTING OF REV. DON STEWART. WWW.DONSTEWARTTV.COM
HE IS A GREAT MAN OF GOD. AND HE IS THE SUCCESSOR OF THE LATE GREAT TENT EVANGELIST-BRO. A.A. ALLEN. GODS' MAN OF FAITH AND POWER. I LIKE WHAT YOU ARE CALLED. GENERAL BRO. JED SMOCK-GOD'S MAN OF FAITH -POWER-GREATNESS AND STYLE. I ATTEND THE UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH HERE IN KEWNAEE. I WOULD ALSO BE INTERESTED IN GETTING A MINISTER LICENSE THROUGH YOUR ORGANIZATION. WHICH WOULD BE THE CAMPUS MINISTRY USA. UNDER THE GREAT BRO. JED SMOCK.
PLEASE SEND ME AN APPLICATION AND INFORMATION FOR GETTING A MINISTER LICENSE THROUGH YOU. AND I WOULD LIKE TO TRAIN UNDER YOU. I WOULD CONSIDER IT A APPRENTICESHIP. AND A GREAT PRIVILEGE. SO LET ME KNOW ABOUT THAT. AND I AND MY FRIEND JOHN LAWRENCE WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR OFFICIAL HOSPITALITY LOCATION FOR ILLINOIS. AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU COME OUT TO HEAR TO TALK.
PLEASE SEND ME SOME BUSINESS CARDS AND AN INFORMATION PACKET WITH BROCHURES. I WILL PASS THEM OUT. AND I AM LETTING PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THE BOOK YOU HAVE OUT THERE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU. GOD BLESS. IN CHRIST'S POWER,
REV. JOHN MODLER,JR FAITH WORKS.
JESUS NEVER FAILS.
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M
To: brojed@aol.com
Sent: 12/20/2008 5:52:20 P.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Bless you and thanks for your time.
Hi. I was one of the Christian girls hovering around the Indiana State University fountain area during the couple of days you preached there. I think I made the observation that you seemed to break a whole lot of the guys that spent most of the previous day heckling you and harassing your fellow preachers. I have come to believe strongly that these kinds of "confrontational" messages are the best way to make a lasting impact. I go out soulwinning door-to-door with my church whenever I can and it seems that it is much easier to convert a family living in a run-down, crime ridden neighborhood than it is to preach to middle-class university students existing in the comfort of their pricey apartments/dorms, iPods, and fancy laptops that do can everything but the laundry.
I've been at State for a while but this is the first time I had ever seen street preaching.' I actually barely noticed it because that's the kind of pastoral approach that I'm the most used to. When I returned from class, the group had become much more agitated and angry. I decided to stop for a while and see what all the fuss was about,....well, I figured it was because someone decided to preach the BIBLE, which doesn't really happen too much around here with all the watered-down feel-good ministries for students.
One thing I will always remember about the first few minutes I watched was the horrible fear. I looked around and swore I saw my classmates turn into literally demons and creatures of Hell. I had never seen such anger and frightening reactions directed towards something that I have known, loved, and understood for such a long time. I started to realize that I stuck out like a sore thumb in the group with my long skirt (and attire that covered what should be covered in the first place.) I could feel some of the angry students direct their attention towards me. Actually, some students thought I was a part of the evangelists as well. Eventually, things got so tense that I figured it might be in the best interest of my personal safety to make a quick exit.
I ended up feeling awful that I didn't stick around just because I was afraid so the next day I made sure to stick around and I had a very good conversation with the lady evangelist.
Anyway, I hope you will make Indiana State a regular stop and maybe do some preaching a couple of times a year. I think there is a lot of potential here in spite of the ugliness that can (and will) rear its head. This past year there has been a strong but small group of like-minded fundamentalist young people that are growing in confidence. I'm also thinking about starting something, but God has not put me in any definite direction just yet.
Many times I feel quite suffocated here, as I told the female preacher. I am just not happy at all in a state college with all of its politically correct, idealization of personal apathy nonsense. I do not feel as comfortable or as safe as I used to after witnessing the intense hatred directed at good Christians who are really just looking out for everyone's well-being. College has been for me nothing but a dark abyss that has tried to sap everything from me that is right, good, and essentially, what holds my sanity together.
Anyway, I'll end here because I know you've probably got a lot to do. Be sure to come back and maybe I'll get the courage to join you guys on the platform and speak about the Word as well!!!!!
M.
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Mary
From: Mary
To: brojed@aol.com
Sent: 11/28/2008 9:58:27 P.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Hello Dear Preacher
Hello Dear Brother Jed,
First let me say I praise God for you dear preacher and for the work you do to bring the gospel of Christ to our lost and unrepentant college campuses across America all these many years. It is a wonderful blessing to run across your website all these years later and see you are still steadfast in your work and I am praising God for it.
I wanted to send this letter of apology and ask for your humble forgiveness for my actions some 30 years ago. You may not remember me and I must confess that I was unsure if you were the same preacher I was thinking of when I came across your website, but the more I looked at the photos my memory started coming back to that day in 1979 at the campus of Berea College in Berea, Ky.
Although I had grown up in the Southern Baptist tradition,(and that's all most churches are, TRADITION!), I was as lost and unregenerate as I could be that day and for the next couple of decades from the day you came there. You see brother Jed, that time was the beginning of a life of filth and perversion, alcoholism, idolatry and all forms of covetousness, and it would take some doing by the Lord to bring me out of all of that damnation, but I'm praising God for His grace to bring me through.
When you came to our campus those many years ago, I remember a homosexual friend of mine ( I was in the beginning stages of experimenting with this filth), who stepped through the crowd that was gathering around you and he started screaming at you about how he thought God had "made" him that way and that God would send YOU to the flames of hell for saying anything against him or anybody that was one of God's creatures,......... or some such nonsense as that. I am repulsed and sickened at myself, but I must confess that I was screaming and shouting right along with him.
I don't remember exactly, but I think the police came and helped you to escape and get away from all of us wild animals before people got violent because we were all pushing around closer and closer and backing you back to the street. I am so appalled and ashamed of my actions and even now remembering how I went back to my friend and patted him on the back and congratulated for speaking up for himself. What shame there would be on judgment day for me, if our precious Lord had not called me to repent for such vile actions, then and even many years later.
I am repenting to you now as well, how can I ever find words to ask your forgiveness dear preacher of God. I know you have received many curses from these students over the years, but of course you know that they do not have eyes to see or ears to hear until or unless God gives understanding. And How can they hear? Unless God sends a wonderful preacher such as yourself. Praise God!!
Brother Jed,........I was not able to hear or understand those many years ago, but I am praising God for you even though I feel so much shame for what I did, because now I see how far I've come and it is so clear to me the wonderful work Christ Jesus has done in my life. I'm not perfect, but He has taken away all desire to drink, smoke or live the disgusting life I once lived. I want to send this little note as a word of encouragement to you and to let you know that our God is still in control and that He still calls some of the most vilest sinners to repentance.
Once again I want to say I thank you and praise God for you dear sir and will pray for you always, and always remember your selfless giving of yourself when you go to preach to the lost.
God Bless You!
Your sister, Mary
PS. I few years ago I discovered that guy was still living at his parents house a couple of hours from me in North Carolina. He even had the same telephone number and I called him to see how he was and to tell him that I thought homosexuality was a sin. At that time I was not even half as strong and clear in my faith as I am now, but I told him flat out that I did not want that sin in my life anymore. He just said that he was going to a Quaker church and they except homosexuality and that most of the people in his church were gay.
I did not know any more to say so I just politely found a way to hang up. He had invited me to come up and see him, cause I had gone there back when we were in college, but basically we had lost touch over the years and now I am convinced that the Bible says we are not to fellowship with unbelievers.
Please pray that I would grow bolder in telling others about my faith. I pray that God would give me the boldness that you showed to us crazy kids all those years ago and that I would have the strength to withstand the fiery darts of Satan. I know I must be a doer of the Word and not just a hearer, so please pray that I may grow stronger in the Lord.
Also,...I do not attend a church around here, I believe they are all apostate. I do receive tapes and dvds from a pastor in Hendersonville, TN. He preaches the doctrine of predestination. I'm not sure your thoughts on this, but I will read the materials you have here and possibly write you more later. Sorry this letter is so long.
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Joe B.
To: Bro Jed
Sent: 11/20/2008 8:00:41 P.M. Central Standard Time
Subj: Thank You
Dear Brother Jed,
I got your book from my brother, who is majoring in Architecture there and listened to you speak. Over the past 2 years, I have read it 3-4 times all the way through, and am in the process of implementing the major points of the book into my life. Thank the lord that I, a 16 year old boy, have not fallen victim to the sins of smoking, drinking, chewing tobacco, and fornicating that it seems nearly all of my acquaintances at my public highschool have fallen to. And, I attribute a lot of my good choices to your book's message of the downfalls of such things. Thanks again for writing your book, and continue fighting the good fight, because you ARE making a difference.
Go with Christ
Sincerely,
Joe B.
P.S.: Could you possibly come to your old home state of South Dakota and preach on the campus of USD or possibly SDSU? I would really enjoy to see you preach in person, and I don't believe you have ever been to either of those campuses too preach. Plus, SDSU especially, has their fare shares of heathens
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Chat H.
10/7/2008 2:52:18 P.M
Dear Brother Jed,
My name is Chat Hanson. I was once a student at USC in the school year of 1979-80. I saw a man who came to preach next to Tommy Trojan. He was later arrested, and then he was released. There was an article about it the next day in the USC campus newspaper.
Was that man who preached at USC you?
I want to know because I decided to become a Christian that day after seeing the preacher preach there at USC, but I never actually met that man.
Now I did not actually get saved that day. But, after seeing that man, I decided that he had more to say that those pagans at USC, and so it was only a matter of time before I trusted Jesus and was saved.
I am now an ordained Baptist preacher and my website is at http://www.fundamentalistbaptistchurch.org
Chat Hanson
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Greetings Bro Hanson,
It must have been me. I was preaching at USC during that time. I always spoke next to Tommy Trojan. I wear a tie when I preach. There were a few other preachers in Southern California at the time who also preached on campuses. However, they wear message T-shirts and carry large banners. So unless it was someone in a T-shirt and carrying a banner in all likely hood it would have been me you heard.
Thank you so much for writing. To hear of fruit from my ministry is encouraging. I am now on my 34th year on campus, five hours a day, five days a week, hundreds of campuses in every state as well as campuses abroad.
I am going to be in Southern California preaching on campuses Oct 18-Nov 1. Perhaps we could have some fellowship, or maybe I could serve your congregation. In introductory messages I usually give my testimony and encourage believers to be bold in their witness. I illustrate with stories from my campus warfare. Also you are welcome to join me on campus. I am still working on my schedule. The President of the Conservative Student Union at Long Beach State had asked me to address his group. So at LB State I will be speaking both inside and in the open air.
Jed Smock
I know Bro Wiley who has a Baptist Church in the area of Knott's Berry Farm.
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Dear Brother Smock,
Thank you so much for getting back to me on this matter. Yes, I also saw those in tee shirts and large signs while at USC. I saw them between the Coliseum and USC after the football games. I would guess that they were those associated with Bobby Bible and his "Christian Brothers" group. The preacher at Tommy Trojan was definitely wearing a tie. Some of the fornicators were so mad at him, (as my guess), that they started selling "fornicating alligator" tee shirts right there next to Tommy Trojan shortly thereafter, which appeared to me to be in direct rejection of his preaching. (They sold a lot of those tee shirts, by the way.)
I would therefore conclude that that preacher was you.
Yes, I am aware of WIley Drake's ministry, although I have never actually met him.
I would very much like to meet you. I think that it is a shame that there are not more men preaching on the campuses, (and men wearing ties like you, rather than just printed tee shirts). I was given your book "Who Will Rise Up?" by Ruben Israel this week. (I live only a few miles from his house.) I had told him about that incident near Tommy Trojan, and he said that he thought that you were that man who was preaching.
I want to evangelize on the campuses of Orange County, such as Orange Coast College, and Santa Ana College. I want to do street preaching as a part of my ministry as well. (Few in OC have probably even seen a real Street Preacher before, which of course is sad.) I would love to see you, pray for you, and learn from you how to street preach. Obviously 34 years is a lot of experience, and you have had a lot of impact for one man on this Christ-rejecting world.
My schedule is as follows: both my wife and I work during the day. I work as a High School teacher at a Baptist school in Norwalk. My school work day ends at 3 p.m. each day. I would love to join you at Long Beach or some other school, but obviously it would be after 3:00, since that is when I would get off. (My daughter gets off at 3, since she is at the same school.)
Would to God that there were hundreds of preachers like you on the campuses, but as you know probably better than anyone, most people who name the name of Christ are spiritually asleep in these Laodician days of apostasy.
- Chat Hanson
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Tom D.
8/26/2008 10:59:09 A.M.
Brother Jed,
I met you once and bought your book back in the mid 80s at OU.
I think that was my first step in my walk back to Christ.
I do not think I could thank you enough for your preaching.
Your work was courageous!
Tom
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K. Grimes
08/26/08 12:12 PM
Brother Jed, I do not know if you will remember me or not but I was thinking about you the other day and decided to see if you had a website and I could get your email address.
My name is Kent Grimes and I was a friend of Ron Allee's from Greencastle, Indiana. I called on the Lord for salvation in your meeting in Terre Haute at the Church that Max Lynch was pastoring at the at time. Shortly thereafter I was filled with the Holy Ghost at a meeting your were doing north of Rockville Indiana in an Assembly of God meeting. Also, subsequently I traveled with you, Ron, Max, to several campuses around the Midwest before a short while before being called to Pastor.
Anyway, Brother Jed, I have often heard of your preaching around IU and ISU and Purdue and elsewhere, and I do admire your boldness for the Lord and praise God for the amazing testimony of how the Lord saved you. Even though I would often hear it night after night and day after day when I was with you I never tired of hearing what the Lord did in your life. It still rings with me through the power of the Holy Ghost.
I loved reading your eulogy to Brother Max and say a hearty Amen to the amazing man of God he was indeed. I was so young in the Lord at that time I don't think I fully appreciated either of you the way I should have and I regret that. However, I do give the Lord praise for your influence in my life...as well as Brother Ron Allee and Brother Max. Brother Jed, if I count all the nieces and nephews and my children and grandchildren I believe it would number over 40 or 50 who have come to the Lord since I got saved! Wow. So when you reach one for the Lord you really never know the kind of ripple effect it can have!
I know that you must have a beautiful family. I have 5 children as well...3 girls and two boys, and my youngest is 20 and oldest is 30 now. I have 4 tremendous grandchildren! My wife of 24 years passed away 8 years ago to breast cancer. We miss her dearly but know that she is with the Lord. My determination is to spend the latter years win more, reaching more then I ever have before in my life for the Lord Jesus Christ. I have asked the Lord that "the latter is greater than the former," and I am trusting Him to do it.
Brother, I thought I would write and let you know that you are in my prayers. Love in Christ,
Brother Kent Grimes
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S. Elliot
5/8/2008 11:05:10 P.M.
Sir,
I recently turned to the Bible out of a sudden interest that really just came onto me in Grace. I was not seeking the Lord, but He came to me and I actually and suddenly understood the term Lamb of God.
I began to read the scripture, and for once I could read them like an excellent novel, and the personalities and life experiences became clear and I could see it all as I read. I soon found that directly proportional to my interest in the Word, the Lord revealed Himself to me.
There was a girl who worked on my old cable TV show who I became engaged to. She and I had just decided to get married when she was brutally murdered. I have never fully recovered from that horrible experience. I have also never found any peace or understanding of His perfect plan as a result, until I rediscovered the Bible. I also discovered that observing the Sabbath made for a much healthier lifestyle and state of mind. Simple as that all is, it has so changed my life.
I think you may be interested to know that there were many times she and I heard your sermons on the University of Florida campus. In my years I have come to appreciate your efforts to bring the gospel to the young minds of America's campuses, and how truly lost this generation seems to be. I feel you have represented a challenge to know the scripture to be able to understand your position. I think for all the blank faces that pass through your life, you need to know that you touch the hearts of some, and challenge all of our personal understandings of the Word of God.
S. Elliot
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Follow up email from Steven:
I cannot escape the irony that I came to Hollywood and in the midst of Babylon, found my faith.
I do custom car and motorcycle work. I am a licensed dealer, but we mostly do motor scooters and mopeds. Pretty much any more if you see a moped in a TV show, it probably came from me.
I actually got quite far in the film industry and ended up working on over 187 feature films. I ended my film career as the senior applications engineer for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I started my business when the war began because I firmly believe that Americans waste too much of everything, and that our oil use had put us in peril by having us in parts of the world we didn’t belong, and that Americans are giving money to our enemies which use it to attack us and our values.
Interestingly enough, the experience of Hollywood made me MORE Christian rather than sucking me into the life of sin so many succumb to here. I was blessed with the tools to defend my soul from the evils that abound in this town. I ran my first shop right in the middle of Hollywood proper and I saw some of the worst human behavior you can imagine.
Now to my delight, my business blossoms. As motorcycle businesses painted themselves more and more with dark brush, with tattoos and piercings and such, we focused on being the good guys, clean cut, veterans, married, Christian, etc. I still draw people to my website with sexy girls, but never ever show nudity. Granted, I cannot really say I am the least conservative compared with you, but in the motorcycle world, I am pretty much the total opposite of West Coast Choppers types of folks. Because of my Hollywood background and good guy reputation, we are very active in multiple major TV and feature film productions. I am active in civil service and volunteer in the community as well as use my celebrity connections to raise money for charities. Yesterday I got a skateboard from the very famous skateboarder and Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White, and gave it to the Police Athletic League to help raise money for a new youth center.
I am proud that I have become active in Christian service and I have become friends with Pat Boone who has a wonderful ministry out here. He is a great role model for me as he is VERY successful in the Hollywood community, but he has not sold his soul to Satan even after many years in the middle of it all. He has become a big influence on me, and has shown me that it is possible to keep core values while still staying in the den of lions.
Something I could benefit from your spiritual council is that I fear I am perhaps a form of "Fighting Christian" and I am not tolerant of evil. This is something I need to work on. I am studying the bible specifically to learn how to turn the other cheek, instead of using the sword. This is the hardest thing for me these days. After experiencing murder, I tend to attack rather than forgive. I am much conflicted as a result of my bible studies, seeing so much about the vengeance of the Lord, but I am struggling with the Lamb of God example and letting the Lord be the judge. I need work in this area badly.
Strangely, my example seems to be drawing others to seek the Word. I am not a pushover, wimpy Christian at all. I am not afraid to confront drug dealers or whores around my business, as I do not fear death. I fear most facing the Lord on the day of Judgment and having to answer for things I know I should have done. As a former US Cavalry scout, I have been blessed with a warrior's physique and training. Most bad guys around here are petty thugs and open confrontation has made them simply go elsewhere. This has made me a close friend of LAPD and they are brave people that see bad folks doing bad things daily.
If I had the opportunity, I would love to ask you about my conflicted situation. I am a veteran of the US Cavalry, so I know how to fight. I need to learn about forgiveness. Specifically, I have never been able to forgive the killer of my fiancée. I doubt I ever will. I know that this is a sin, and I pray for forgiveness. It is simply beyond my ability to find any possibility of forgiveness for something so utterly heinous. I also pray that the Lord will have vengeance for me on the murderer and he will spend eternity in Hell. He is still at large, and this is a manifestation of the world's evils that I struggle with.
I decided a long time ago to be the light to his darkness. I have worked to be as good as he is evil. Horrifically, the killer killed my true love in an apparent satanic ritual as he is a known Satanist. His very existence confirms my understanding of the active works of Satan on earth. Something else, one cannot live in Hollywood without becoming aware of the actions of Satan and his subtle manipulations.
Definitely tell Bill to contact me if you see him. It is somewhat disappointing to think he is still living the same way. He was given such potential, but he wastes it. A tree that does not grow is a dead one.
I also find it interesting that he represents a common example of people that think they are too smart for God. As I excelled in the highest levels of the Film Academy, my mind opened rather than closed. I find that many in the sciences eventually find God at the center of their quest and that a truly scientific mind must explore the possibilities of a supreme being just to get some grip on what we all find around us. The more I studied, the less I realized I knew. Rather than be confident of my world views, I discovered my own personal insignificance.
2 Samuel 22:17-25
Warmest Regards,
S Elliott
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Sergey Postnikov
Dear Brother Jed,
I'm the Russian graduate student in physics you met this May at OU.
I want to thank the God for pointing out you for me. As I'm sure he did it. The Holy Spirit spoke from you and touched my heart, but I also want to say sorry for interrupting you along.
After I left I cried and couldn't stop crying because of your challenging work and also shame as of weak Christian faith of mine to preach in any condition to anybody and in a challenging manner. Your example is of great importance and encouragement for me. And I devour your book. And you are one of many great wonders God were doing in my recent time.
I prayed and now I share my faith more fearlessly with people around me. Only personal relationship with God, and his endless mercy despite my many years of treason, daily and intensive study of Bible helps me through. I go to the New Assembly of God but I'm not sure where I belong yet. But I trust God and Holy Spirit to lead me where I should be as I follow so far the 1 John 2:26-27.
A few days later I met the pastor of the church, I had many questions to ask, but I felt that his answers pleasing my selfish mind, but didn't get to the heart as your message. And I'm not sure about them giving the spirits and speaking tongs (but I believe the Bible that it is the case to be), as I'm aware of the evil spirits and do not want tempt the God too.
All I want is to serve God and save as many people as possible by help of the Spirit. I think I have Holy Spirit in me but the things above confuses me. So if you can give any advice on this matter I'll be grateful. Also if you share your thoughts about keeping the Sabbath as part of 10 commandments.
If I can help you in anything just let me know. Or next time you come to OU I'll be glad to assist you too. Here the website that played crucial role for me http://www.wyattmuseum.com/ so you might be interested to look there too. Thank you again. God bless your mission and your amazing family.
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Delores Volk
My name is Dolores and we met one time at the Hamilton Christian Center around 1990. I told you this story at that time...
In about 1982, my husband, Hank Volk, attended Indiana State in Terra Haute. He was watching you preach with his friends and was making fun of you and blowing smoke in your face. You asked him if you could pray for him and he said "yes" and you asked Jesus to reveal Himself to him. Some time after that, he was at home and he woke one night to see Jesus standing in his room.
He fell to his knees, he repented and was saved. I also use to attend Broadway Assembly in Lorain Ohio during 1986-87. Jed use to come and preach there for the Sloans. Anyway, I am from the Cleveland area and Hank from IN. We met through the Sloans. We have two boys that are 10 and 13 and they are saved and have the Holy Ghost. We haven't attended the Sloan's church for 10 years. We attend the New Haven Church of God in Harrison Ohio.
I was wondering if you ever come back this way to minister to any churches? Do you visit H.C.C.? Can you e-mail a schedule of your travels? I will never forget your daughter Evangeline at H.C.C., she was so small and she came on the pulpit and said, "God is a consuming fire!!!" I thought that was the most wonderful thing I had ever seen. I just wanted you to know the seeds you plant blossom and another Godly generation is raised up to serve and bless the Lord.
May God bless you always.
Dolores Volk
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John Hornberger
Sun, 14 Jan 2007 7:17 PM
Dear Jed & Cindy,
It was so good to chat with you, Jed, over the phone a few weeks ago. As promised, I'd like to share a few words of testimony.
I grew up in a non-Christian home in Upstate New York, where my family attended church somewhat regularly. However, in all that time, I never heard the Gospel message. Growing up in the '70s, I bought into all the pop psychology's of the day and did all the wrong things for all the wrong reasons. Let's face it..........I was lost! Therefore, I lived like it.
In 1981, Brother Jed and Sister Cindy were preaching on campus at University of Florida. As one might expect, I was offended by there fiery delivery. I had real objections to their threats of the Lake of Fire and the need to be "born again," whatever that meant. As far as I was concerned, being born again was something the wackos on TV did. I thought I was a good Christian because I was confirmed in my church at age 14, went to church, prayed occasionally ( usually when I wanted something ) and had never done anything "really bad," like murder, etc.
Quite sure of myself, I approached Jed and told him I didn't think I was that bad. I went on to tell him what I thought about all that being "born again" stuff. You can imagine my surprise when Jed started opening his Bible and showing me, out of scripture, that we ALL were really that bad, that sin was real, judgment and wrath were coming against sin, and I needed a savior. That was NOT the positive, feel good message one was used to hearing in church, but that really got my attention! I felt I could argue with people, but I couldn't argue with the scripture.
Jed was one of many faithful brothers God sent my way to show me I was lost in my sin headed for hell. For the first time in my life, I realized I was NOT a Christian, and NOT a child of God. I had no right to call God my Father, unless I confessed my sin and invited Jesus Christ into my life as Lord, as well as Savior. I did that on December 9th, 1981 in Gainesville, Florida, and I have not been the same since. I have God's assurance of eternal life with Him, as well as His perfect peace.
Thank you, Jed and Cindy, for being faithful to share the Gospel. A lot of you may not understand; God will use different styles of evangelism to reach those in different conditions. I needed the style of evangelism God used Jed and Cindy to deliver at that time. It offended me, but looking back on those days, I needed to be offended, otherwise I might not have investigated Jesus Christ.
Bless you guys, and I hope this helps,
John Hornberger
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E.C. Atchinson
The below testimony is interesting to me, since I am often accused of preaching a works based salvation. It is not through the initial preaching of grace, that men find grace; but it is through the preaching of the law, which can prepare the heart to the Divine influence, which, if received, is then reflected in one’s changed character.- Jed
“Through the law my sin was made known to me. My wretchedness, which I hid in my heart, was brought out, brought to the surface. Dead to Christ and a slave to sin and lusts of the flesh, I was indeed a Pharisee. I was dependent on my works for salvation. I knew some scripture, I attended church occasionally, I was a “good person” and didn’t drink or smoke or curse. However, I knew nothing of faith, hope or love. Truly, I didn’t know Christ.
I thank God for your ministry and the Truth that you spoke to me. I thank God for the seed of the word of life that you planted in my heart. I shudder to think what path I would be on had you not preached the gospel to me.
God bless you and your ministry Brother Jed. Though your words my sin was spotlighted and then you gave me hope of redemption through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now I may boldly proclaim that I am indeed dead to sin and alive unto Jesus Christ! Glory to God. I encourage you in your ministry and pray that God continues to provide you with good soil.
God Bless You,
EC Atchison, University of Missouri—Columbia”
The above testimony was hand delivered to me this past Sunday by the Director of the Wesley Student Center on campus of which E. C. is an active member. He has attended our open houses twice.
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Roberta
10/05/06 10:28 AM
Dear Brother Jed:
Once upon a time, a long time ago, I was a freshman at Ohio University. And one day I was walking through the college green, and I found a large crowd of college students gathered around a group of eccentric-looking individuals, led by you, "discussing" the message of Jesus Christ. I'm not sure why, but for some reason I remember being picked out specifically, and with that long, accusatory pointer finger, you informed me that I was going to Hell.
It's one of the most vivid memories I have of college, actually. After that day, I used to walk across the campus nearly every week day, hoping you'd be there. It was a lot of fun for me actually, seeing the crowds gather, hearing the angry debates, the fiery rhetoric. Oh, I couldn't stand your message, but I really loved it when you were there. I mocked with the best of them, but I never listened. Few of us ever did. Now, twelve years later, I have come to realize I very well may have saved myself a whole lot of heart ache if I'd actually paid attention.
Don't get me wrong, I still don't agree with you on the whole "Lake of Fire" business. And I think your methodology leaves quite a lot to be desired. But I've discovered a lot of respect for you well after the fact. It takes guts to preach on a college campus these days- I didn't realize how one-sided they were until I entered the real world myself. And I understand sometimes the only way to get peoples' attention is to be "eccentric," loud, confrontational. And I hope you continue your ministry for years to come.
As for me, I've returned to the Church, and am a practicing Catholic. I'm a Cantor for the church and a member of the choir. I am also very happily married with two small children, both of whom I plan to send to Catholic school and raise to love Jesus Christ and be good Christians. It was a long, bumpy road to get here, but life is much better since I let Christ back into my heart.
Should you ever visit Houston, TX, drop me an email. I wouldn't mind saying hello.
Take care and God Bless.
Sincerely: Roberta, Ohio University, Class of 1999
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Sharalyn
Tue, 4 Jul 2006 20:31:26 -0400
Hello…I’m Clyde Swalls’ youngest daughter and I have some interesting news to pass on to you.
After reviewing your website, it seems all is well with your family. I just wanted to let you know that your name came up this week with some people from the church my husband and I attend. My husband (Beau) separated from Air Force in November 2005, and he’s felt a calling to be in the ministry since he was about 15 years old. Through God’s working, Beau was hired on as full-time pastoral staff at our church, Calvary Chapel of Melbourne, FL. He is leading a young adults group (20-30 somethings) and really enjoying it. Anyway, the pastor who has really been influential in his life over the past six months, Dave Folkerts, was discussing street preachers the other day with my husband.
He talked about how he was at Iowa State University (1981) not walking with the Lord. He said there was a campus preacher saying that people were searching to fill the void in their lives with drugs, alcohol and sex. He said those words haunted him. He did finally become a Christian and that is a big part of his testimony. Beau just happened to ask if the “campus preacher” was Jed Smock and, with a surprised look, he said yes. Beau told him of the correlation between you and my dad. What a small world! Dave and some students he went to church with actually started some street preaching of their own. Anyway, he’s now in Melbourne, FL as one of the associate pastors at our church and his wife has an incredible testimony as well. Dave just wanted you to know that you had an impact on his life, and indirectly, in ours.
We just thought it was so interesting how your influence circled around to us. I was pretty proud that we knew you and your family! Thanks for keeping true to the gospel and to your family. If you’re ever in Florida, we’d love to see you.
Love in Christ, Sharalyn
PS. Just a note here from the webmaster. For those who do not know Jed's testimony, Sharalyn's father was the man who led Jed to the Lord in the parking lot of a Burger King.
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Timothy
Thu, 18 May 2006 23:29:56 -0700 (PDT)
My Dear brother Jed,
I want to sincerely THANK YOU ! for all you and your entire family have done for me. In not only being faithful servants in the Campus ministry over the many years. But how your ministry has effected me personally.
My name is Timothy Stephens, I would like to share briefly with you how your ministry has made a wonderful difference in my life. I am now a street preacher and have been since approx. 1991.
However back around 1990 or so... I was living near ASU. One day I heard you Preaching on the college campus while your family was seated nearby on a blanket. I noticed they were all modestly dressed, the women having long hair with head coverings and long dresses with long sleeves and collars. A strange sight (I thought then) I admit I did not understand your ministry at all then Bro Jed.
I was the typical "Christian" (a make believer really) believing you were doing it all wrong! Not preaching the Love, grace or mercy (like everyone else). I believed you must had been paid by the catholic church to travel the country side making Christians everywhere look bad, I so wrongfully thought!
However I did sincerely pray that day, (silently) asking the Lord Jesus Christ to show me if I was the one who was all wrong. (I was) WOW! Was I surprised at the answers. One of my room mates at the time was a local street preacher named 'Mark John' who I also thought was out to lunch, so to speak. He reported that he had met with you at some point during your stay in Tempe and that you corrected him on many scriptural points and he came home asking 'us' (the other make believe Christian roommates and I) to pray against your ministry!
I already knew bro Mark John was wrong on the same issues and he had not read his bible through even once! Then God began to show me through a series of events and people as well as circumstances that most of what I believed was not even in the bible at all! I began to study my bible and truly seek the God of the bible! And Trust Jesus! Then I met bible Jim, Bro Ruben at the super bowl one year and became a true bible believer.
I am certain that you brother Jed were the first street preacher who truly made a difference in my life, through your ministry, by sharing the truth, openly in public, as harsh as it was to hear. I will always be grateful for what God has done for me through your awesome ministry my dear Smock family.
May God richly bless you and withhold no good thing from you and your entire family Sir, is my prayer Amen, Amen and Amen So it shall be.
Sincerely
Bro Timothy
PS- Once again thank you so much for encouraging me to search the scriptures for myself, and to do what it says. (I'm still working on that) Now I might add, I am now often accused on the streets of 'doing it all wrong! Not preaching the love grace and mercy messages, which are so needed today they say.
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Carl
Sun, 14 May 2006 09:42:08 -0500
Bro. Jed,
Yesterday, Saturday, 5/13/2006, My son John and I went to see and test drive a used car for sale by private party.
The gentleman who is selling the car, is about 30/35 years old, or so, and has been a Wycliff missionary overseas, but at the present time is working in administration at S.I.L. ( Summer Institute of Linguistics---Wycliff Bible Translators ).
I said all that to say that as we drove his car together, somehow, we got on the subject of campus ministry and the fact that I have preached on many campuses etc. etc. etc...
This missionary's name is Ken. When I finished telling Ken about preaching on campuses, he said----- "Well, I know, first hand, how effective that type of ministry is. I went to PURDUE and a couple of guys used to come there, a couple of times a year, or so, and preach open air. I personally know several students who became Christians as a result of their ministry at Purdue."
I then asked----"Was one of them Jed Smock ? "
He answered---"Yes, it was Jed Smock ! "
Be ENCOURAGED, today, Brother Jed.
Carl Giordano
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Marcia in Idaho
Thu, 11 May 2006 19:32:24 EDT
Brother Jed...THANK YOU!
God bless you! I just got off the phone with my daughter who is attending Central Washington University and I could hear you preaching the King James Bible while she held the phone out toward you! She said there was quite a crowd! We had no say in our daughter attending CWU...she is 28 and wants a degree so decided to go there. While she has been there she has been exposed to one hideous lie after another...not to mention the diversity garbage so accepting of sodomites and their agenda...Satan surely runs the college campuses of AMERICA...no doubt....but it was a wonderful thing to hear our Lord and Savior being preached so loud there! My daughter hasn't met many Christians there....this was a good day for her...to hear and see you preaching like that.
A sister in our Lord Jesus Christ,
Marcia Sanford
Garden Valley, Idaho
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Mark in Madison
Tue, 21 Mar 2006 07:38:35 -0600
Dear Jed,
I remember you preaching back in the mid-1970s on the UW Madison campus. You are still working hard at your personal mission of sharing God's love with an unbelieving world. Whether I agree with you or not, I must congratulate you on your courage and devotion and the life you have built from faith alone. If you do nothing more than make people think about the consequences of their decisions, you have done a lot -- who saves one life, it is as if they saved the whole world.
Blessings,
Mark Hazelbaker
Madison, WI
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"I Get It" - Gabe
Thu, 10 Feb 2005 19:14:27 -0600
Dear Jed,
Last night, our frat guys went out in groups of 4 or so, all over campus praying that God would bring revival and help us reach out to the lost of Texas State University. What an answer to prayer!
At first I was pretty offended at the things you were saying, then I stepped back, thought about the scriptures that were being debated and the things you proclaimed. I tested the spirit and remembered what we had prayed for in that very spot the night before. The minute I realized what was going on, I was awestruck, as only God can do. Your ministry is such a blessing! Add another person praying to your list.
My friend actually stood up next to you and attempted to "preach" the gospel by apologizing to the onlookers. I would say I'm sorry for not taking him aside and talking to him, but then where would your persecution be? I'm inspired. I think others are as well. Mission accomplished, Brother Jed.
Keep the faith, brother Jed and co. Many are praying, and God is moving minds in your incredible ministry. Thank you for your boldness. I hope I'm here when you all return.
I get it.
In Him, Gabe Hodge
PS I've officially nicknamed you "the Socrates of Christianity"
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Joe at UCF
Tue, 11 Jan 2005 15:45:19 -0500
Brother Jed,
There are not words to begin to describe the respect I have for you and your ministry. I first noticed your preaching on the way to one of my morning classes. You reminded me of John the Baptist, who preached of repentance. Later that day I ate lunch, and the Lord placed it in my heart to go where you were to hear you preach.
Automatically, I assumed it was that He wanted me to pray over you. What happened that next hour or so deeply impacted my life. It broke my heart to hear the students jeering and mocking your testimony, and that of your colleague. It scared me to my very bones how much mockery was in the audience. I know now that this taught me that in order to serve God it requires me to count the cost of serving Him, even if it means being in those situations.
Praise God for your ministry! He has used you to instill questions into the minds of the student body, and although I still have deep conflicting Biblical interpretational issues with yours I will continue to pray that God will continue to support your ministry.
In Christ,
Joe
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Tribute to Max Lynch
Thu, 18 Mar 2004 16:09:21 -0500
Brother Jed,
I know it has been several years since his passing, but I just became aware of it a few moments ago. I wanted to pass along my condolences to his family and you are the only one I knew of who was familiar with him outside of the Purdue Campus.
I was a student at purdue from 1985 til 1992 and during that time I spent many days doing nothing more than listening to Brother Max. I admittedly heckled him from time to time, but I always admired him for his faith and kindness to others. I had one opportunity to speak one on one with him after one of his preaching sessions and we spoke for the better part of 30 minutes and, while I am not a convert, I found him to be one of the most lucid, intelligent, and kind men of faith I have had the opportunity to meet.
This did not stop me from arriving to heckle him once again when he returned to campus, but it always sat in my mind that he was one of the great men who stand up for what they believe in. He did this with his religious fervor that is comical to some, but I can still remember his preaching. From the Highway to Hell to the Timeline, his preaching were some of the most memorable that I have and will experience.
My friends remember him as calling them fornicators and drunkards and most of them took and some still take offense to it. Funny thing is, he was right. We were in a serious state of personal depravity that most of us have matured out of and hopefully in our own way accepted God into our lives. I was an agnostic during my years at Purdue, but my faith was renewed years later. In part,
I credit Brother Max with that. I just recalled that the day that I spoke to Max on campus was his birthday, I believe it was his 50th but do not recall for certain. I just remember that in spite of his desire to travel to his home and in spite of the fact that I had heckled him during the day, he took the time to speak to me in kindness.
I sit here at my desk at work with tears in my eyes for a great man who has become a memory. It is a shame that my children will not have the opportunity to see him preach as it was a sight to behold and something that one will remember til the end of their days. If you can contact his family, tell them Thank You. Thank you for supporting him in his preaching, thank you for allowing him to become part of so many people's lives. His sacrifice of time will not be forgotten.
Sincerely,
Tony Vincent
*********************
A Eulogy for Max W. Lynch 1929-2000
by George E. (Jed) Smock
August 28, 2000
As a graduate student at Indiana State University in the late sixties, I first heard of Max Lynch. He was the infamous lone voice on the ISU faculty who boldly supported the Viet Nam War and vigorously spoke of his Christian faith. My comrades and I considered Max Lynch to be some kind of right wing religious fanatic.
I am a former socialist college professor, who became involved in the drug, radical and revolutionary movement of the sixties. However, in 1972 I experienced a dramatic conversion to Christianity. One of the first persons I sought after my new birth was Max Lynch, who was teaching math at the ISU Laboratory School. I visited him during his office hours and we would pray together for the campus and he would usually give me a short Bible lesson.
Max shared his testimony with me. He had been a successful engineer who traveled extensively as a trouble shooter for the General Electric Co. In the Spring of 1961, he suddenly realized that he had never sought the perfect will of God for his life.
As a step of consecration, Max fell to his knees and asked, “God, what can I do for you?”
God answered, “Go to Farmersburg, Indiana, and join the Friendship Baptist Church.” In obedience, Brother Max quit his job with GE and went with his wife and five children to live in Farmersburg. He was soon hired by Indiana State, but took a big cut in pay. Later, he became the pastor of a Baptist church and continued to teach at the Lab School.
From 1961-1968, Max had the freedom in the classroom to read the Bible, pass out tracts and even preach from time to time; but the radical elements began to grow in strength, and in 1968, the university president ordered him to stop these practices. This action provoked Brother Max to research exactly what his legal religious rights were inside the public classroom. He discovered that in 1963 the United States Supreme Court had outlawed prayer and virtually outlawed Bible reading in the public schools. Realizing the freedoms that Christians had lost, Max was shocked and enraged.
In the Spring of 1970, in defiance of the state, he started opening his classes with a short Bible reading. The next Fall the president gave Brother Max the choice of either discontinuing his Bible reading or taking an administrative position. Because he felt it important to keep some contact with the students in order to be a witness to them, he chose to stay in the classroom and to curtail his Scripture reading. Max had the reputation even by those who opposed his Bible reading of being an excellent teacher and had received outstanding teacher awards.
Three years later, God awakened Max from a sound sleep to dictate a letter to the president that Max must obey God rather than men, and if God instructed him to read the Bible to his students, he would. Shortly thereafter, upon God’s orders, Max resumed his two-minute Bible reading at the beginning of class. This action caused an immediate stir on campus. Considerable pressure was put on Max to recant, but he stood firm. Eventually, he was given an ultimatum: The Bible or your job. Max choose the Bible and was fired from his job.
Max later said, “It was one of the most difficult things I’d done. But that’s what the Lord wanted me to do and I’m glad I did it...I’d rather preach than anything else in the world.” Max and I soon joined forces to preach on campuses throughout the country.
Ironically, twin girls in his class, who had complained to the administration, were later converted to Christ. Max’s stand for Truth had made quite an impression on them. Later, when they attended Indiana University, the girls regularly listened to Max preach in the middle of campus.
Why would a highly educated, skilled, intelligent, tenured man like Max give up a secure and prestigious position with good benefits at a university to preach the Word of God open-air to unappreciative college students? I am sure that this was a question on the mind of many of his family and friends back in 1974.
Perhaps a young man by the name of Paul Stamm can best answer the question for us. Paul was a freshman in business aviation at The Ohio State University when he heard Max preaching on the campus lawn in the Spring of 1986. Paul was wavering between atheism and theism. Paul was amazed that an educated man in his late fifties would spend his time preaching to a crowd of jeering college students.
Paul later said with tears, “I was impressed that he was not out golfing. I remembered two scriptures that Bro Max quoted: ‘Be ye holy for I am holy,’ and, ‘Except ye repent ye will all likewise perish.’” Max had a way of quoting scriptures so that they would forever be impressed upon the hearts and minds of students. One of his favorites was Rev 20:15: “And whosoever is not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire.”
Paul recalled, “I knew that if what Bro Max was saying was true then I was in trouble.” In February, 1987, Paul professed faith in Christ and claimed the salvation experience. After his graduation from college, he followed Max’s example of preaching on campuses for three years before taking a position in the business world.
Cindy Lasseter was a junior at the University of Florida in 1977, who used to make fun of my preaching. One day she was laughing at me almost hysterically. I pointed her out of the crowd and said, “Repent of your sins you wicked woman.” The next year I returned to the University of Florida with Max. I discovered that this girl, Cindy, had had an attitude change and was open enough to the gospel to go to church with me on a few occasions, but she refused to respond to any altar calls. One day after preaching on campus, I invited her to have coffee with Max and me. I said, “Max, perhaps you can reach this girl I have tried everything I know.” Cindy later testified that she was fearful of Max because he preached like this, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” But Max’s witness made the difference that night and he convinced her to pray a sinner’s prayer. Soon she also started preaching on campus. It so happens that this girl is with us this morning, she is now my wife, Cindy. We have been married 17 years and have 5 daughters. Very likely without Brother Max’s witness, she would not be saved today.
Yesterday, I received an email from Leland Ray which read, “I am one of the many "sinners" to whom Brother Max preached at the University of Illinois in the mid-eighties. While Max never succeeded in converting me to Christianity, he did become a constant sparring companion to me and many others. Off the podium, I found Max to be a warm and compassionate human being, always willing to chat about that latest sporting events or whatever else was going on. He was a man who knew what be believed, made no apologies for it, and would never abandon his principles. Please convey my condolences to his family and friends.”
Jesus said in Luke 6:26, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” This is one admonition that Max never had to worry about. He was not a man pleaser, but diligently sought to please God. He was never ashamed of the Gospel. He had his enemies and even his friends sometimes did not understand his complexities. Once Max was convinced that he had heard from God, neither family, friend or foe could deter him from his course; nor could all the demons of Hell. Max once said, “If I wasn’t stirring anyone up, something would be wrong with my relationship with God.”
But Max had a tender side. On a number of occasions I saw him weep before a crowd of raging students as he warned them of God’s impending judgment and hell fire. He was a consummate story teller who could enthrall the students hour after hour. Once after a long afternoon of preaching at Purdue University with Cindy, they were invited to a fraternity house for dinner. After dinner the brothers invited Max to speak. Cindy testifies that the boys seemed spellbound as they listened quietly to Max speak for over an hour. Perhaps this was the first time many of them they had ever heard a godly man speak to them in such a profound manner.
In one of Max’s favorite stories I had the privilege of playing a part. It was October, 1976, a presidential election year. When Max and I arrived at the Southern Illinois University free-speech area, a crowd of thousands had gathered. Upon inquiry, we found out that the democratic candidate, Jimmy Carter, was scheduled to speak at noon. An open-air platform had been built for the occasion. We circled the crowd, praying, and finally stopped under a big oak tree behind the platform.
Max who had always been athletic said, “Here, Brother Jed, hold my Bible.” Then he began to climb the tree. Soon he was high in the tree, mostly covered from sight by the foliage. Soon, the Carter entourage, with some of the top state and local politicians, drove up in limousines. They took the platform and, when Jimmy Carter opened his mouth to begin his speech, a voice from the tree top cried, “REPENT!”
Carter was startled. I could imagine the secret service reaching for their guns.
Carter addressed what he considered the issues: inflation and unemployment.
Brother Max yelled, “What about abortion? What about the rising crime rate? What about drunkenness and dope addiction? What about divorce? Max knew that these and other sins were leading to the breakdown of American society. He wanted the professing, born-again candidate to address the sin issue. Jimmy Carter had nothing about sin in his notes and, becoming very frustrated, he cut his speech short. He and the other politicians then sped away from the scene.
Hundreds of people then gathered under the tree to see who had interrupted their political rally. Several were so irate that they climbed the tree, determined to get him down. One woman got out on a limb and grabbed Brother Max’s coattails, attempting to pull him from the tree. He became concerned about the woman’s safety, so he agreed to come down if she would stop pulling.
When Max dropped from the lowest limb, the police had to form a wedge to whisk him away from the angry crowd. They took him into a room in the administration building until the crowd dispersed. The next day, Max’s feat received the main headlines in the newspaper, VOICE FROM THE TREE TOP CRIES “REPENT!” A photograph pictured him with a broad smile as the police were escorting him away from the mob. Candidate Carter took a back seat in the news.
Max was a master of the soundbite, that is the one-line sensational statement which would proclaim truth in a memorable manner and would sometimes be televised on the evening news or published in the next day in the student paper. When the feminist movement was at its height, Max would ask the students, “Do you know what ERA stands for?” “The equal rights amendment,” the students would reply in unison. “Wrong,” responded Max, “Eve ruined Adam.” Another one of Max’s favorite soundbites was, “This campus is a three-dimensional cesspool of sin: decadent, depraved and degenerate.”
Max had many originals such as this, and I quickly made them part of my repertoire, as did other preachers that followed me. Usually, I did not take the time to give the credit to Max for his many pithy sayings, but today I want to make sure that you understand that Max has inspired two generations of campus preachers. Not just by his one-liners, but Max was a sound apologist who earnestly contended for the faith that was once delivered to the saints.
When Max and I started preaching regularly on campus in the mid-seventies, there were just a few other campus preachers. Today, to a significant degree thanks to Max’s influence and steadfastness, there are scores of campus preachers from coast to coast. Many of us have more of Max in us then most of us would know. Without Max’s example, dedication and persistence there would be significantly fewer voices of righteousness on the campuses.
In the Sermon of the mount Jesus said, “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. {11} Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. {12} Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
If there are any Biblical type prophets in our day, I think Max deserves that title as much as anyone. Few know the heavy persecution that he came under, even sometimes suffering jail for the sake of the Gospel. A prominent Bible teacher, Norvel Hayes, who speaks to audiences of thousands in some of America’s largest churches, once said of Max, “Many men travel the church circuit teaching on faith, but I know of no one who is actually living by faith to the extent that Max Lynch is.”
Max sacrificed much for the Kingdom. I know that his family sacrificed as well because when Max began campus preaching he still had three young children living at home. It was not easy getting the bills paid, but Max stood firm in his calling. Max once told a Tribune-Star reporter: “The Lord takes care of our needs. I receive donations from Christians, and my wife works part time at a local hospital. She has been my biggest supporter.”
Through all of Max’s difficulties he was able to maintain his joy. Daily he would break into song while preaching on campus. One of his favorites was “I feel good, I feel good, just to know that I have been redeemed, makes me feel good.” As Max was singing he would break into a little dance. As we are mourning our loss and remembering his life here on earth, I can imagine Max in heaven dancing and singing, “I feel good, I feel good, just to know that I have been redeemed, makes me feel good.”
Max’s ministry had an international impact. Years ago at the University of Illinois a group of Iranian students said to Max, “Brother Max, you and Brother Jed are very well known in Iran. Max responded, “How so, we have never been in your country.” One of the Moslems replied, “Iranian students study on campuses all over America when we return home from school breaks you and Brother Jed are a common experience we have all had and your ministry and message is always one of our main topics of conversation.”
In his later years after some of Max’s physical strength began to wan, he did less preaching on campus, but still made his regular rounds to Purdue, Illinois, IU and ISU passing out tracts which he had written. Max also sent packets of his sermon outlines throughout the continent of Africa.
Max had the hand of a ready writer. He wrote stinging letters to every president from Nixon through Clinton, sometimes he would write and address a letter to every congressman and senator. Supreme Court Justices regularly were rebuked and condemned by Max after the passage of Roe v Wade. His letters were often published in the Terre Haute Tribune-Star.
Many of you will fondly remember that Max liked gardening, basketball, ’76 Monte Carlos, playing piano and showing off pictures of his grandchildren. I would like to conclude my remarks by suggesting how Max would most like to be remembered.
For years as a math teacher Max tested his students. Later as a campus minister he daily tested college students to see if they were Christians. Bro. Max would open his well worn New American Standard Bible and turn to 2 Cor 13:5 and read: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test?” On Thursday, August 24, Bro. Max passed his final exam. I pray that everyone here today, his family and friends, will examine yourselves to make sure Jesus Christ is in you--that you might not fail your test.
Amen
Brother Jed
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"Heard you on NPR" - Matthew Nelson Mason
Fri, 17 May 2002 23:38:16 -0500
Brother Jed,
I was a college student at Tennessee Technological University. I Totally agree with your way of teaching and preaching. My first semester, I had a sociology class. Our teacher told us that we all have to be open minded to other ways of thinking, that it would make us better people, and make the world a better place, I guess. There were a wide variety of people in the class, Catholics, Jews, Homosexuals and a few Muslims. It seemed to me that everyone would get to have their time to share their viewpoints on all the different topics we discussed in the class, except when it would come to me, she wouldn't want to hear what I had to say, because she knew that I see things from a Christian viewpoint, and if I was to start, everyone would just get to arguing, and nothing would get accomplished. Also, she was backwards on every single subject, for example, Abortion was right, Sex outside of marriage was too, Drinking, partying. ! ; I guess what I'm saying is, I really Like what you are doing, and I know how college students can be, but I also know that people like you have made a huge difference in the past. I have a lot of other things to discuss with you, but I will save them for another time, thank you for your ministry
Matthew Nelson Mason
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"Not There... yet" - Tod
Tue, 26 Feb 2002 09:50:27 -0500
saw you over 20 years ago at BGSU and enjoyed the show.....
now an old man working in Atlanta, and by coincidence got into a discussion with a coworker who was saved through your ministry...
you'll be hearing from him as we just looked at your website. Nice to see you're still trucking....
enjoyed exchanging discussion on the Lord (though I'm still a heathen, definitely a whoremonger, and decidedly quite a drug addict.)
Nonetheless, still wanted to send you kind wishes and a thank you for igniting memories of long ago through your work in the lord...
Tod
********************
Tod,
Thank you for your letter. We won't give up hope for the conversion of your soul. The seed of Truth is still evidently in your heart so I will attempt to water it with some prayer to see if it might yet germinate. I would like to post your letter on our website if that is OK?
Jed Smock
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Russell Hale
Thu, 18 Feb 1999 08:42:08 -0600
Bro. Jed,
I heard you preach at the University of Oklahoma in 1985-86. I was one of those students who gathered around you at first because of curiosity, but my curiosity soon grew to anger. To make a long story short, I was a whitewashed sepulcher on the run from God. Well, God has a great sense of humor. I am now a (Fundamentalist) Southern Baptist youth pastor about to graduate from seminary (The Criswell College). God bless you as you continue to share Christ with lost students.
Thanks & God bless,
Russell Hale
FBC Moffat, TX
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Jeffery Cox
February, 2001
Dear Brother Jed, I wanted to write to you and let you know what a pleasure it was to meet you. It was a privilege to watch you minister on the campuses. As I told you before, you challenged me more than most people I have met, including most of my NCU [North Central University] professors.
I told Mike Leisner one night while watching your video that you make more sense out of God, the Bible, and Christianity than anyone I have talked to. I can now make sense of parts of Bible that before made no sense.
You have shown me that Christianity is indeed rational. Many people read unexplainable passages in the Bible and reason that "God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and God's ways are different than ours."
Meeting you has challenged me and changed my ministry forever. You have inspired me to do more open air preaching. I just got back from the east coast where I spent 3 weeks campus preaching with Steve White. Tomorrow I plan on taking one of my friends and going back to the U of M to preach.
Jed, thank you so much for being who you are and obeying the call of God and not giving up, no matter how difficult the opposition from sinners you have to endure.
May God Bless you richly.
Jeffrey Cox
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Phil Seeberg
Dear Jed and Cindy,
I was both saddened and filled with joy when I found your "Eulogy for Max Lynch" on the Internet yesterday. You three were my first Christian teachers. I had often wondered what became of you and was so happy to learn that you are still doing God's work. I had been trying to find information on you for the past 2 years. I had even written to the U of Illinois campus newspaper asking about you, but never heard back. Then yesterday, I typed "Max Lynch" in my Yahoo search engine and there you were! I had forgotten how Max loved to tell his Jimmy Carter
story !
I got to know you in August, 1979. I still have a calling card that I got from Cindy. On one side it's got her name and phone number near the U of Illinois campus. On the other side it says [something like] "If we meet and you forget me, you have lost nothing. If you meet Jesus and forget him, you have lost everything." Believe me when I say that I have not forgotten any of you.
Cindy bought me a Bible that I still cherish. The following is the inscription:
Dear Phil,
I give you God's Word being confident of this very thing, that he who hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. (Phillippians 1:6) For you are a NEW MAN and a NEW CREATURE, Continue to seek Jesus with all your heart. That's the most important thing. Read his word and Pray, Pray, Pray.
He promises to make your joyful and to give you the abundant Life. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. Jesus said to deny yourself daily and pick up your cross and follow him. There will be trials and tribulations but Jesus will always be there to help you weather the storm. He loves you very very much. He loved you so much that he drew you to him and opened
your heart to receive him.
You are very special to my heart because God used me as one of the ways to draw you to him. God always gives me a special love for the few he allows me to lead to Jesus.
I Love You,
Cindy
9/12/79
Phillippians 1:2-4
You taught me the three step process to salvation.
1.Salvation - Acts 2:37,38
2.Repent - Luke 13:3
3.Born Again - John 3:5-8
My original testimony follows.
********************
THE TESTIMONY OF PHIL SEEBERG
9/4/79
The Lord said to me recently, "Publicize yourself, and let people know that you are a Christian" So I am writing this paper to let people know who the Lord Jesus Christ used to convert me from the road of sin that is headed toward hell and certain damnation, to the narrow path of deliverance in the belief in Christ.
As a child, years ago, I was taught in the beliefs of Judaism. I was told that the Jews don’t believe in Jesus being the Messiah, but never was told why. I developed a curiosity about Christianity. I felt that since more than ½ of the country’s population was what I considered Christian, I should find out what it was that turned them to Jesus in the first place.
Being from a Jewish home, I didn’t have access to a New Testament, so my curiosity about Christianity diminished, and I forgot about it until the fall of 1978, when I came down to this campus [University of Illinois Urbana Champaign] from Chicago as a freshman. By chance I happened to hear brothers Max Lynch and Jed Smock preaching in the Quad.
I listened to them preaching, and to the crowd that was constantly heckling them, and found much amusement in the remarks that the crowd shouted at them. Although I didn’t believe in what they were saying, I stayed out there listening because it kept me from spending the time playing pinball in the Illini Union.
On Ash Wednesday, 1979, I received a Bible from the Gideon people, who were passing them out on every street corner. After a while I started believing in some of the things that Max and Jed were saying out on the Quad, and if I had a question I could ask them for an answer or I would look for an answer in the Bible.
If I couldn’t find the answer that I wanted, I would ask one of my friends, Bob. I discovered that Bob was a Christian last semester, when I walked into his room while he was in the middle of a Bible study with some other believers. After that day, he was willing to help me in my struggle for the truth. He suggested that I read the book of John, and I did getting some powerful meanings out of it.
Summer came, however, and I succumbed to more sin, drunkenness, lust, and drugs. Coming down to school again in August, I discovered that my roommate Jeff was a ‘born again’ person. The presence of the Holy Ghost on his side of the room seemed to rub off on me, as I decided to give up drinking and drugs. My trips through the Quad started again, and I became acquainted with sister Cindy Lassiter. I started becoming more receptive to the Word of God, and began to ask questions of her. She began to connect the two Testaments of the Bible together, by showing me where everything about Jesus was prophesied in the Old Testament.
I was still unsure about the validity of Christianity, so I began to pray to God to tell me what was the true path. I reached the point where I thought that I believed, but wasn’t ready to make a commitment for Christ. In a further attempt to find the truth, I went to a Bible study on August 28, led by Jed Smock. Near the end of the Bible study Jed started to pray for our souls, and when we joined him in prayer I had a weird experience. I became tense, and felt as though electricity was flowing through my body, not letting me move my joints. I knew that something was going on in my body, but I wasn’t sure what it was.
Later that night I decided that I should be born again. I was unsure about how to go about it, so the next day I talked to Cindy on the Quad, and decided to go through with it. So at 8:30pm that night I sat down in the middle of the Quad and prayed for forgiveness, and asked the Lord Jesus to come inside me, to guide my ways, and to keep me from straying. Immediately after I got up, a feeling of complete contentment and peace came over me. Later that night I was going to smoke a cigarette, because I knew of nothing in the Bible against smoking.
But I heard a voice in my head that said, "Would you rather save some money, than keep the body that I have given you from being destroyed?" This was connected to the fact that I had not wanted to throw away the cigarettes because I thought that that would be a waste of the money that I paid for them. I found out that if I wanted Jesus to come inside me, that He didn’t want to live in a smoke filled room. Needless to say, I threw away my cigarettes that night, and haven’t had one since.
The next night, I was baptized with water in a swimming pool, and today as I write this, I am a new man. I can’t think of an ending for this paper, for it is not over yet. I am still learning and growing spiritually. Actually, I have updated this paper a few times over the past 20+ years. If you are interested, I can fill you in on the gap.
I wish you continued good luck in your ministry, and I pray for you every night !
Philip Seeberg
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Laura
Fri, 20 Aug 1999 17:22:57 EDT
Bro, today I received the following testimony I thought you would want to post it on the website.
Greetings! I last saw you preach on the campus of Ohio University, from which I graduated in '95. Much has happened since then, and I felt led to e-mail you about it. I hope you don't mind a looooong letter from a recent convert ...
My first encounter with your ministry was my freshman year; I believe it was Bill McMillan who preached that afternoon. I remember that day as the day I rejected Christianity; what was being taught sure wasn't the God I knew, and how could I embrace a God of hate like that? One of my most vivid memories of the afternoon was shouting in his face, alleging he committed perversions with his Bible (I won't repeat what I actually accused him of), proudly declaring he couldn't shout me down. He pronounced me a rebellious woman. I took that as a high compliment at the time, especially when the crowd seemed more loving and accepting than he.
Time passed; I became active in feminist groups on campus and in the religion of Wicca; I accumulated various sexual sins; and although I never got into the whole bar scene, I certainly had my share of drunken nights while in a friend's room or home. And I continued to come watch "Brother Jed's Traveling Circus" when it came to campus, although gradually, I was less and less amused by it and more and more often provoked into thinking. My conscience and/or my sense of reason was touched by various considerations, never enough to turn me to Christ, but enough to make me reevaluate some beliefs, although always in the context of Wicca.
Last year, things seemed to be going well for me -- I had a well-paying job; I was engaged to a man with whom I'd been friends for many years beforehand, and we were planning a Wiccan wedding; we were involved in a church of Paganism in Akron, so we had a religious community surrounding us; and even my mother was showing less resistance to my religion. Yet there was growing dissatisfaction in me; my fellow Pagans seemed to be content and strengthened by their faith; why wasn't I? I still believed the answer lay with the Goddess, but my devotion was in fits and spurts.
Then, one night last October, I was reading an article on Y2K which discussed the possibility of social unrest and violence stemming therefrom. I found myself fearful of death, which morphed into the knowledge that hell was real and I was headed there. I wrestled with it for a few weeks, during which I was immersed in a profound depression that made even previous low points of mine seem pleasant -- I didn't want to give up my religious community, my fiance, sex -- yet I knew I had to. Finally, at the beginning of November, I broke up with my fiance and prayed a sinner's prayer.
I cannot yet claim perfection; I still have moments in which I lack faith, or in which I stumble, yet I am confident God is working in me. As an example, the other night I reread portions of _Who Will Rise up?_ and was left weeping at how my attitude had changed toward that book. Sister Cindy first gave me a copy one of those days on campus, when a friend and I sat with her and admired baby Priscilla. I remember reading it in subsequent days and writing objections in the margins. There have been times since then but before my conversion when I have been fearful to pick it up, lest I feel a sting from it. But I now thank God that he had turned my heart so I could read it with a spirit of wanting to learn from it.
Laura
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Eddy Holtsclaw
Mon, 1 Mar 1999 22:15:30 -0500
Subject: Ephesians 1:4
Jed,
I was one of your prime hecklers at Indiana State University between 1982-1985. The scripture verse in the subject area says it all. Coincidentally, today is my 7th spiritual birthday. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior on March 1, 1992. I would have staked anything that it would never happen! I will refer you to 2 Thessalonians 3:13. See you in heaven!
Eddy Holtsclaw
Cincinnati
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Craig Rader
06-29-98 02:59:53 EDT
Brother Jed,
I have seen you many times while walking to class here at the Ohio State University, and at first my sentiment was much like my fellow classmates. "Uh oh, here's another religious fanatic shoving propaganda down our throats", but after a while, I stopped and actually listened to your words. At times students would confront you verbally, with questions about homosexuality, or masturbation, and while the crowd cheered them on, you gave answers which usually shut them up. It was then, that I realized that you knew what you were talking about.
Since then, I have quietly sat and watched you witness to the students. Because of you, I have stopped drinking beer, because I now realize that it made me want to sin. Too many times I have been at parties drinking, and have been tempted to take girls home with me, just to "fool around". Also, I have been going to class more, and staying away from the party scene all together. I started going to a local non - denominational church (Church of Christ) every Sunday morning. You should have seen the look on my now ex-girlfriend's face when I told her I didn't want to have sex anymore until I was married. Well, she promptly left me for a guy in a fraternity, and last I heard, she's an alcoholic now too.
Thank you for my life back Jed,
Craig Rader
rader.45@osu.edu
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Brooks Hartzell
98-07-17 16:47:57 EDT
I met you in the Spring of 1976 at Wright State. It was a fantastic day, and I was very encouraged by your preaching. I could really relate to your testimony since I'd been converted just a year and a half prior in California as part of the end of the Jesus Movement and was discipled at the Kent Philpott houses, etc. I seemed to be about the only one supporting you that day and passed out your materials. That day is what made me decide to leave engineering and go to Cedarville College. I've had many adventures since, as God has taken me from one thing to the other. I've even done some open air myself with some fantastic fruit. At least one is with the Lord now because of all this. I have been re-encouraged lately reading these things on the net. Would like to know whenever your at Wright State so I can help and maybe follow-up.
Anyway, the alt-brojed site claims that I can buy an autobiography, but I couldn't find it at your site. How do I buy?
God bless!
Brooks Hartzell
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Erik Johnson
11/20/98 3:59 PM EST
Brother Jed:
You probably don't remember me. Last year, while you were preaching at the University of Illinois, I was the lucky winner of an autographed copy of your book. I owe you a great debt. You were the first to force me to think about my beliefs and what they mean to me. You forced me to come to terms with all my doubts and misgivings. I'm still searching for what I believe. I don't know if I'll ever really find it. But you are the man who started me on my journey, and for that I thank you. I may not agree with your methods, but I salute your courage and perseverance.
Erik Johnson
"To see as a god sees, and take the depth/ Of things as nimbly as the outward eye"<
John Keats, The Fall of Hyperion
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Alex Knapp
11/23/98 6:07:26 PM EST
Brother Jed,
First, I would like to thank you for your ministry here at ASU this year, because of it I have become a Christian That ministry influenced me so much that I read three of your works: "Grieve not the Spirit" "Who will Rise Up" and "Walking in the Spirit". I agree with you wholeheartedly in what is said in these books. I have even professed to two student run Christian organizations here on campus of how you placed the seed of Christ within me. I thank you.
I also want to express my grief to you about how others react to the Christian faith. I myself have been persecuted, although not physically, but ethically. I'm sorry that had to happen. And I hope you heal quickly and continue ministering to colleges for many years to come.
Brother, I also wish to ask you a question, when will you be attending ASU?
Take care and God bless.
Alex Knapp
Religious Studies
Junior
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Marion
Tue, 24 Nov 1998 20:26:46
Bro. Jed,
Greetings in Christ. It has been some time since I visited your web site. Things have truly changed, but in reading some of the comments on your web page I see that the hearts of men aren't generally one of them.
It is most unfortunate that there are so many who fail to recognize the importance of addressing sin for what it is instead of trying to feed people spiritual placebos to make them feel comfortable with their sin. When we're confronted with sin it may make us feel uncomfortable, but unless we're brought to realize the ramifications of our sin we'll never turn from it. We'll just keep making excuses for it. People need to realize that Jesus didn't come to save unrepentant sinners in their sin. He came to save repentant sinners from their sin.
If we truly want to see people set free from the condemnation of sin the message of salvation can't be a watered down version of the gospel. It has to continue to call adultery what it is. It has to continue to call homosexuality what it is and the list goes on.
I, for one, pray that this ministry continues to speak out to a lost and dying world and if some toes get munched in the process, so be it.
May the Lord continue to bless your ministry Jed.
In Christ,
Marion
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John
Thu, 19 Nov 1998 00:09:11 -0500
Bro Jed,
I have been fortunate enough to be present on many occasions when you have spoken at Eastern Kentucky University. I was converted by your preaching about four years ago. When I first heard your preaching I was a sophomore with a GPA of about (1.8). I drank to EXCESS!!! frequently (Every other day). I was overweight, easily angered, and generally not a nice person.
Today; I have a BS in chemistry, I'm married to a Godly woman who gave me a beautiful daughter ( the only child SO FAR), I am two semesters away from publishing my research and obtaining a M.S. in Chemistry, I am gainfully employed as a chemist and have great opportunity for advancement, and I am much less overweight.
I have found that living for Christ not only provides eternal life at the resurrection, but also leads me to make good decisions that provide a peaceful life in this dispensation. I really never have had a chance to get to know you. I have read your books Who Will Rise Up? Grieve Not The Spirit, and Walking in the Spirit, but they do not provide a comprehensive Christian discipleship training.
Thanks,
John
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Bob Reid
Sun, 15 Nov 1998 12:53:52 EST
Dear Brother Jed.
I have just finished reading through your Web Site and am praising the Lord for such a location on the Internet. I'll never forget a few years ago when you called me on the 'phone and told me that you were coming to Michigan State and wanted me to go out on the campus with you and preach. I almost panicked at the thought! But I went out with you (I had never seen you do this) but stood about 30 feet away, behind a tree, praying for you.
Gradually I worked my way within about 20 feet of you when you turned suddenly and introduced me to the crowd and ask me to come and preach. Horror city! My legs walked me to the center of the crowd and then the Holy Spirit took over! All fear was gone and the Word of God began to roll out of my mouth and as the Holy Spirit gave the utterances. By the time I had spoken for about an hour and turned it back to you I realized the position and power that God has given to you all of these years!
This was a ministry that I was completely ignorant of and now I saw exactly what it was the God was doing with you and others like you. I met Holy Hubert back in the 60's when he came on the campus at So. Cal where I was the Head Basketball Coach. He spoke at the chapel but I did not see him in his "environment" in front of unsaved students. So now I knew what it was to have this calling from the Lord that he had given you. Later you took me with you to the University of Michigan (Hell's best kept secret) and finally to work with you at Ohio State.
Your allowing me to work with you on these three campus' changed my life once again! What a ministry the Lord has given you! You are working right down in the middle of America's youth and the community of leaders of tomorrow! Your message is uncompromising, nothing but the Word of God and heavily anointed by the Holy Spirit Himself! Thank you, thank you, for giving me this tremendous insight to one of the most demanding ministries in the Kingdom of God.
In Christ, Bob Reid,
President of Faith Tech Ministries/International Bible Schools.( faithtech@juno.com )
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Anthony M.
September 18, 1998
Dear Brother Jed,
My name will not be familiar to you, but if I were to stand in front of you, you would probably recognize my face from your 1983 and 1984 trips to Michigan State University. I remember you and Bro Cope from 1983 and your traveling companion from 1984.
The reason I write is to apologize for the behavior I displayed during both of these trips. During 1983 I denounced Bro Cope in a self-righteous fit of indignation. You would remember my antics from the next year--I tried to provoke you and your friend by pretending to be a homosexual making a pass at each of you. I must compliment you on how well you handled the provocation.
While I had (and still have) deep philosophical differences with you, what I did in the 1980's was wrong and unchristian because I was trying to force you to sin. Instead of trying to lift up Jesus Christ, I was more intent on humiliating you and your companions. I was wrong and I am truly sorry, and as a brother in Christ, I ask for your forgiveness. I also ask that you please convey this apology to Bro Cope and your partner from 1984.
Yours in Christ,
Anthony M.
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Bro Cope
I am encouraged, Brother Jed, by your faithful preaching over the years. I first saw you at Penn State sometime around 1977 or 1978. Your were preaching with a man named Max. The crowd was stirred up and so was I. You didn't know that I was also a preacher. After the day was over, I introduced myself to you. I was sure that you thought, "Oh no, not another mealy mouthed apologizer for sin." But over the years, I continued to preach; sometimes we even preached together.
I had to retire (involuntarily) a few years back, but took comfort knowing that there was someone steadfastly holding up the Lord before a God-hating generation. I hope you have much fruit from your labor. God Bless.
Bro Cope, 10-17-98
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