As we finished up the accounting for 2008 and mailed out the year end receipts, we were reminded and overwhelmed with gratitude for your support of CMUSA. Your faithfulness to our mission even in the midst of hard economic times is a blessing and a great encouragement.
scottr...@yahoo.com
receipts, we were reminded and overwhelmed with gratitude for your
support of CMUSA. Your faithfulness to our mission even in the midst
of hard economic times is a blessing and a great encouragement.
A DICKSONIAN MOMENT
January 6, 2009, Florida State University
I started preaching at 11:15 on the library mall using my “YOU DESERVE
HELL” sign as bait. I noticed that several people were taking photos
of me and the sign. One girl even asked permission to take my
picture. She said she wanted to share it with a friend. I assumed
that she meant on facebook. One advantage of having a sign is that
people are more likely to take pictures and the message then can go
out all over the Internet. I admonished the photographer about the
seriousness of considering where she would spend eternity. She was
not negative in her response.
I had a decent first hour; but never more than a dozen students
gathered at one time. One girl sat knitting and listening in front of
me for an hour, sort of a Christian Madame Defarge, as I guillotined
the arguments of sinner after sinner. I had her read 1 Cor. 6:9-10
from her NIV Bible since I knew it would pronounce condemnation in
modern language on many in the crowd. I perceived in the spirit that
I was enabling God to unravel some of their names out of the book of
death and hopefully knit them into the book of life. At 1 PM everyone
left. It may have been because at times there was very light rain.
Also the first day of classes, even the first week of a semester,
students tend to be preoccupied with getting settled in again which
makes it more difficult to get and hold their attention.
At the next class break it seemed that no one was going to stop.
Then, suddenly, a boy grabbed for my sign, which resulted in a scuffle
which went on for several minutes. Finally, two male students
intervened and informed the robber that he had no right to steal my
sign. The robber tried to defend his actions by claiming that I had
no right to hold an offensive sign. Finally, the fellow left; I
supposed he recognized that he had no support from those who
gathered. The Lord used the incident to assemble an audience of
35-50. The disadvantage to having a sign or a banner is that one has
to be constantly on the alert for those who will try to steal it.
The rest of the afternoon I fielded the usual questions and comments.
A homosexual stood beside me for over an hour holding a sign telling
everyone that he was homosexual. Many of the students seemed grossed
out as he told everyone of his first homosexual experience at a gay
night club. Others took pleasure in his perversion of licking some
stranger’s neck. I rebuked several Christians for standing against my
preaching of righteousness, but saying nothing against the pervert
broadcasting his perversion. I did have a few vocal supporters.
Unfortunately, they even confessed that they sinned every day. By
3:15, everyone had left. I went into preaching mode again; but I was
not getting anyone’s attention; so I decided to call it a day.
HOW LONG, O LORD, HOW LONG?
January 7, 2009, FSU
I preached on different mall today, the one which runs parallel to
Moore Auditorium. This mall has been under reconstruction for the
last few years which is the reason I have been preaching on the
library mall. But since the work is now complete, I returned to my
old preaching area today. I lifted up my voice at 11:50 , but by noon
a very loud band began playing not far off. For a while I attempted
to preach above the decadent noise, but I soon decided that it was
futile.
So I sat down to read, American Lion: Andrew Jackson in the White
House by Jon Meacham. Last night, I had read how Jackson tended to
turn to Scripture when troubled. So I turned to Jackson this
afternoon. After the President had been censured by the Senate, he
protested, “Never in the fire of youth nor in the vigor of manhood
could I find an attraction to lure me from the path of duty.” And now
with grey hairs and decaying frame, “the only ambition I feel is to
acquit myself to Him to whom I must soon render an account of my
stewardship.”
Jackson was a David like leader of men, he was a man after God’s own
heart, a warrior for God and Country.
At 1 PM the band had to stop so I put down my book and with my
batteries charged by Old Hickory I restarted my engines. Gradually, I
gathered an attentive audience. One fellow, who has been a regular
questioner in past years, began asking me all sorts of good questions,
which enabled me to expound on the nature and character of God and
men.
By 2 PM the homo, who stood beside me yesterday, “Sparkles,” returned
with his hand held sign which read, “Love is Never Wrong.” He wore a
football jersey with the number 69 on the back. There were several
atheists in the crowd. One was particularly vile in speaking against
the Virgin Mary against whom he made unrepeatable accusations. No one
defended her character but me. Yet there were a number of professing
Christians in the crowd.
I anticipated a larger audience today since there is more traffic on
this mall; but the group averaged only 25-30 students for most of the
afternoon. Remember, individuals within the crowd come and go,
although usually there is a core group that stays with me all
afternoon, so that I actually with such numbers have a few hundred
that listen for a significant amount of time for a three hour period.
There was a group which was egging on Sparkles which resulted in the
conversation degenerating to an extremely low level. One fellow
described, in some detail, his perverted encounter with a female. I
have heard a lot; but I decided I did not want to hear anymore, so I
left a 4 PM. The first hour, with the extremely bad music and the
last hour of depraved conversation, were vexing. The day revealed
how really debased these students have become. Romans 1 reveals the
downfall of a culture and the chapter ends by saying, “Who knowing the
judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of
death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do it.”
Not only is virtually no one on campus offended at gross sin any
longer; but they take pleasure in hearing of the despicable deeds of
the flesh.
These are very perilous times.
“Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
How long shall they utter and speak hard things? And all the workers
of iniquity boast themselves (Psalm 94:2-3)?” As you know I have been
asking these questions for three decades, and the wicked just become
all the more wicked.
“O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongth; O God to whom vengeance
belongth, show thyself (Psalm 94)!”
It will happen, my friends; it will happen. Mark my words. He will
reveal Himself. He will take vengeance. It will be a terrible day.
A HUG OR A SPANKING?
January 8, 2009, FSU
I sounded the trumpet at 12 noon. There was a long haired male
holding a FREE HUGS sign. This is not unusual to see on a college
campus, although it seems to be very strange behavior to me. I
suppose it is related to the therapeutic culture in which we live.
Very likely the individual has been in group therapy where they engage
in group hugs.
I shouted, “You young rebels do not need a hug; you need a good
spanking; you need a good spanking with the Scriptures. Now before
any of you perverts get too excited, please understand that I am
speaking figuratively. What you need is a good Bible beating.”
Soon I gathered a sizeable crowd; however, they did not stay with me
very long. I suppose that most of them had to go on to class. So I
had a small group that I addressed until about 1 PM when “Sparkles”
showed up again with his hand held sign. Others joined him;one was a
girl who had her hair dyed different colors and another girl with
purple hair. Both also held signs promoting love.
Once again, at the next break a sizeable crowd gathered; but they
mostly dispersed within 10 minutes. I still had a group to teach.
However, within minutes, a loud machine in the area made such a racket
it was very difficult to communicate. An atheist stood within a few
feet of me asking a series of questions which kept the dialogue
serious. “Sparkles” was only a light distraction with his inane and
perverted remarks.
I did not want to try to preach at the next break above the noise
coming from the machinery so I said to “Sparkles” and his gang and the
few students with whom I had been conversing, “Let’s move over to the
other free speech any on the library mall.”
A group of about eight followed me to the other area. Upon arriving,
I was disappointed to see that there was noisy heavy equipment digging
up a concrete sidewalk. We were evidently quite a sight with this
very straight looking old man in a tweed jacket and tie holding a sign
which said, YOU DESERVE HELL, and a motley crew of perverts and
general sinners holding signs and shouting to those who were passing
by, “We love you.” Numerous people took our pictures.
One serious inquirer asked, “Why do you believe in Hell?”
“If there is a loving God, there must be a Hell. If God does not
ultimately separate the wicked from the righteous, he is neither just
nor good nor loving. There must be a Hell or there is no loving God,”
I answered.
“That is a good point. I never heard that explanation,” he replied.
In debate rarely will your opponents acknowledge that you have made a
good point. So when they do, I figure you have really made some
progress.
At 4:45, only two students were left. I decided to go back to the
other mall to see if the noise had stopped since there is more traffic
there. I drew my largest crowd of the day. I was very pleased with
this preaching session since about a 100 were listening with only a
few interruptions for almost 30 minutes. By 5:15 most everyone had
left so I decided to leave.
GIVING AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN
January 9, 2009, FSU
This has been good week weather wise. Today, it was sunny and in the
high 60’s. At noon I held up my JESUS HATES SIN sign and said,
“Because God is love He hates sin. If He did not hate and oppose all
that is evil, He would not be a loving God. Love requires us all to
hate and oppose sin. Anyone who practices or condones sin neither
loves God or his fellow man.”
My voice was carrying well and there was no distraction from machinery
today. Since it was Friday, there were not as many students passing.
I quickly gathered an audience, which was never more than 35. But
students were coming and going all afternoon. A purpled haired coed
held up her, “Love Is Never Wrong” sign. I tried to engage her; but
she was generally quiet. “Sparkles” eventually showed up; but he was
more subdued than usual. A few of his gay friends that held signs
yesterday, just listened today.
The level of dialogue was mostly above the belt today, much of it even
above the neck. At one point, I refused to answer any more questions
concerning homosexuality. There was a fellow wearing a red shirt with
a hammer and sickle who admitted to being a communist. Students were
surprised when I pulled out of my brief case a copy of The Communist
Manifesto and began reading and refuting it. I was in apologetic mode
for most of the afternoon. Students really seemed to be listening as
I defended Christianity’s basic truth claims and contrasted it with
other religions and belief systems. I expounded on the points of the
Apostles’ Creed. I was in top form, the edge of my sword was razor
sharp; and I plunged the sword deep into the hearts and minds of many.
Late in the afternoon when the crowd had dwindled to about ten people,
a Young Republican gave an intelligent defense of the faith and
addressed some of the Church-State issues. I was impressed when he
brought up Frederick Bastiat, a French economist who wrote The Law,
which is one of the books that has influenced me the most in my
political philosophy. He may be the first student that I have met who
has even heard of Bastiat, much less read his work.
Two Mormon missionaries listened attentively for about an hour. One
of them wanted his picture taken with me holding my TRUST JESUS sign.
I do not make it a practice to confront the Mormons on their peculiar
doctrines. I commend their dedication and hold them up as an example
of what young Christians ought to be doing, taking at least two years
out of their schooling or career, paying their own way, not dating,
not watching TV, but spreading the "word" throughout the world.
Christians could take from their example!
I left campus at 5:15; it was the best day of the week. I gave many a
lot to think about and I am confident that several that listened today
will eventually get saved.
Bro Jed
We Need You!
Below is Bro. Jed’s tentative schedule for Spring Semester 2009. His
goal is to spend at least five hours each school day declaring the
glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the multitudes on the
“Highway to Hell.” We can not do this without you. How can you
help?
1) Prayers and intercessions—this is vital!
2) Financial gifts—travel expenses are extremely high. Your gifts,
small, and large, are much needed.
3) Church and home meetings—If you do not know a church in your area
that would have us, please consider a home meeting.
4) Lodging and/or meals—If you can provide lodging in your home or
even one meal is a great help.
5) Join us on campus—your witness can make a difference!
Important: This schedule is still open to changes. Please email
(bro...@aol.com) or telephone (573-999-0347) before coming to campuses
since sometimes there are last minute changes because of weather or
guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Jan 6-9 Florida State University
Jan 12-16 Louisiana State University
Jan 20-21 Lamar University
Jan 22-23 University of Houston
Jan 26-27 Sam Houston State
Jan 27-30 University of Texas (Sister Cindy also)
Feb 2-3 Texas State, San Marcos (Sister Cindy also)
Feb 4-5 Texas A & M
Feb 9-13 New Mexico State
Feb 16-17 University of AZ
Feb 18-20 ASU
Feb 23-Mar 13 LA area, Central Coast of CA and Central Valley and
Sacramento and Davis
Mar 16-20 San Diego St. and San Marcos State
Mar 23-April 3 University of AZ and ASU (Sister Cindy,
Martha &Priscilla)
Mar 30-April 30 Missouri campuses
May 4-June 5 Washington and Oregon campuses
I Recommend Bro Cope
Bro Cope and I go back to the beginnings of campus preaching as we
have come to know it today. In the fall of 1977, Brother Max Lynch
and I took our first mission trip to campuses in the east.
While we were preaching at Penn State, students informed us that the
campus already had another evangelist called, the Willard preacher.
Later Max and I introduced ourselves and we went to dinner with this
preacher, Bro Cope. In subsequent annual missions to Penn State, Bro
and I became fast friends. When Sister Cindy joined the team, she
also became friends with Bro. In 1982-83, Bro traveled and preached
with me for months in the western states.
Bro has a B.A. in computer science from Penn State and served in the
U.S Marine Corps where he was a computer specialist.
In 1984, financial obligations required Bro to leave the full-time
ministry. Despite having been away from his field of undergraduate
and military training for a decade, Bro soon became a well paid
computer consultant for major corporations. Bro is a renaissance man
who can do about anything and expound on virtually any topic.
Before leaving the preaching field, Bro trained one of his disciples,
Gary Gattel, to continue his ministry on the steps of Willard Hall at
Penn State. After all these years, Gary continues preaching at Bro’s
old pulpit. Bro financially supported Gary and his family including
providing them a house in which to live. At the same time, Bro was
also one of the better financial supporters of our ministry.
When Cindy and I incorporated our ministry in the mid-eighties, Bro
served on the board of directors. He rotates the Vice-Presidency of
The CMUSA with Ruben Chavez and Dave Coke. He is also the webmaster
of brojed.org.
Last year, the Lord directed Bro to return to preaching whatever the
cost. In April and May, Bro and I preached together on campuses in
Missouri, Kansas and Kentucky. This fall he preached in the south,
but spent most of his time working with Gary at Penn State. Gary and
Bro are even faithful to preach on the very cold winter days at PSU.
Bro is willing and wanting to travel throughout the U.S., especially
as the Lord provides the funds. I want to recommend Bro to my
friends. At the very least, I would suggest that you request his
weekly email updates (jba...@prodigy.net ), that you may become better
acquainted with his ministry. His testimonies should be an
encouragement.
You also might want to offer hospitality to Bro in his travels. He
would be a blessing in your home, Sister Cindy can testify that he is,
unlike her husband, a big help in the kitchen. Bro has not been just
a personal friend to Cindy and me; but he is considered as a beloved
uncle by all the Smock girls. From their earliest childhood he
fascinated them with bed-time stories of his character creation,
Detective J. Baber.
Bro was for many years pastor of a home fellowship in State College,
Pennsylvania. He is a knowledgeable Bible teacher, who has the
capacity to move in the gifts of the spirit and would be a blessing to
any church. Bro is the leading expert I know on creation vs.
evolution issues. He has a thorough understanding of the doctrinal
and theological basis and implications of open-air preaching and has
unique insights concerning confrontational evangelism. His keynote
sermon is expounding on Matthew 10, when Jesus sent forth the
twelve.
The Lord has carried Bro through many personal trials which has
strengthened him and gifted him to empathize with those suffering from
personal tragedies. “For that he himself hath suffered being tempted,
he is able to succor them that are tempted (Hebrews 2:18). "
I commend Bro to you without reservation as a man of character and
integrity, who is always affable and inspirational company. Because
of his many ministerial gifts, he is vital to the advancement of the
cause of Christ on the campus. Your Servant in Christ,
Brother Jed Smock
Bro Cope
3598 N Atherton St, Apt 1
Port Matilda, PA 16870
814-883-9183