On March 8, 2009, a gunman walked into the First Baptist Church of Maryville, IL (in the St. Louis, MO area) and shot and killed Pastor Fred Winters as he was concluding his late Sunday morning sermon.  The tragedy became a national and international story.  When the shocked and grieving congregation looked for someone to preach the following Sunday, they secured Dr. Al Meredith, pastor of Wedgwood Baptist Church (www.wedgwoodbc.org) in Ft. Worth, TX.  In 1999 a crazed gunman walked into Wedgwood Church and randomly shot and killed seven people.  (Don Browning, the father of one of those victims, shares his unforgettable story regarding Sydney Browning in another on demand  interview on www.haroldhendrick.com.)  In this interview Pastor Meredith tells of the journey of his Wedgwood Church and offers comfort, guidance, and even warnings for the Maryville Congregation.  He received much favorable press in St. Louis and around the country for his sensitive and wise counsel at Maryville.  With his frequently being asked to make appearances in both local and national media, it is further interesting to hear of his ministry with the media.  (We both observed how fair and sensitive the press had handled the Maryville tragedy.)  Media people frequently ask him, “What can we do for you?”  Pastor Al responds by saying, “You can let me pray for you!”  And he does.  Hear the very insightful, helpful and interesting comments Pastor Al Meredith offers to the Maryville Church for, not just surviving but, for overcoming.  *** See Pastor Fred Winters quiet but powerful 5-minute video Why do we Exist presenting God’s Biblical plan of salvation at www.fbmaryvlle.org.

Kerry Messer describes a fascinating scene in the Missouri State Capitol.  In mid March of 2010, a group of lawmakers – Democrats and Republicans, Senators and Representatives – “summoned” the Missouri Family Network President (www.missourifamilynetwork.net) and 26-year Traditional Values Lobbyist Kerry Messer to a “behind the scenes” meeting of leaders in the State Capitol Building.  These key lawmakers made a plea for much prayer throughout the state.  Facing a $1.5 Billion state budget shortfall, they in essence asked, “Can you create a network of churches in MO to pray for us as we deal with this huge budget shortfall?”  As a result Messer, National Day of Prayer leader Sue Stoltz, and other key prayer leaders began to mobilize a statewide, non-partisan prayer effort.  These elected officials of both parties have agreed to stay behind the scenes to avoid the appearance and accusations of “grandstanding” for personal political benefit.  40 Days of Prayer will be initiated with a time of sincere prayer in the MO Capitol Rotunda in Jefferson City on Monday, March 29, 2010 from 12:00 noon until 1:30 PM.  All are invited.  Many other Christian entities are getting the word out.  Bringing a prayer message, calling us to repentance and to seeking the Lord God in the Capitol Rotunda on Monday noon of March 29 is Anne Graham Lotz (www.annegrahamlotz.com), daughter of famed Evangelist Billy Graham.  The 40 days of Prayer will conclude on the very day the budget is to be -- according to Constitutional requirement – finalized and approved by the legislature …which is also the National Day of Prayer!

After nearly 63 years of marriage, Jim Bounds said: “I respect Doris more now than the day we married!” Just a few months after a radio interview with Doris Bounds (available for on demand listening on this website), this precious lady went to be with the Lord she loved so much and served so well. Doris was amazed once she stopped to count the number of home countries of the internationals that she and Jim had hosted in their home: 46 that she could remember! Indeed, especially upon her “Homegoing,” her large family and many friends, including scores of international, all “…rise up to call her blessed!” During the interval between Doris’ death and her funeral, Philippines’ native Ed Moncada -- Minister to International Students for the Missouri Baptist Convention -- and I reflect on the beautiful, very-Jesus-like life of Doris Bounds. Within a week of her death, as she lay on her bed, Ed went to her home in North St. Louis, MO, County. They joyfully shared a one-on-one experience of worshiping Jesus. They had “church” together. – This interview ranks right at the top of the most moving radio experiences of which I have ever been a part.

Jeff Moody has pulled together a most unlikely group of men who once were shattered and hopeless but now are full of hope and love.  The offer is for many individuals and audiences, including hopeless youth in juvenile detention centers.  More is available at www.uboutreach.org, the source of most of the material below:  

• Jeff Moody’s music career was nearly destroyed.
• Chris Keith: What do you do when, as a 5yr old, you wake up in a hospital bed and are the only surviving member in your family? What do you do when the person you trusted most tries to kill you? 
• Brryan Jackson  --  An Infant Injected with AIDS by His Father, Now a Messenger of Hope.  Brryan’s remarkable story is of survival. When he was 11 months old, his father injected him with AIDS infected blood to avoid paying child support. At age 5, doctors believed they had done everything they could to save the young boy’s life. Without hope, he was sent home from the hospital to die. By God’s grace he defied the odds. Now 18, Brryan recently graduated from high school.  Rejected his entire life, Brryan’s story of God’s embrace will inspire you. After making national and worldwide news, you will be moved by the faith of this young man who loves Jesus.
• Kenny Crease…From serving a life sentence in prison to serving God.
• Shawn Huckaba … Thursday, July 28, 2005. Shawn’s family was on their way to Six Flags, St. Louis, MO when the minivan his wife, Angi, was driving was rear ended by a dump truck. A day that began with expectations of fun and excitement turned deadly less than a mile from their destination.  Everyone in the minivan was killed when, in that moment, Shawn lost his wife, Angi, his two youngest sons, Jacob (9) and Joshua (7), as well as Angi’s younger brother Brett (15) and sister Amy (17).  His oldest son, Alex (10), was attending a week of church camp at the time of the accident and was the only surviving member of his family.

Again … read more at www.uboutreach.org and listen to the radio conversation with Jeff Moody here.

The story of 24-year-old Megan Moss and her need for a new heart received great media attention in the St. Louis, MO region.  She and her dad, Wayne (principal of the elementary school of North St. Louis County Christian School), talk about the gripping story: awaiting a donated heart, the medical people finally told her parents that even if it came, it would be too late to save Megan’s life.  The parents and friends prayed.  Within hours a heart arrived and the operation occurred.  Listening to Megan Moss in this radio conversation, recorded just a few weeks after the surgery, is compelling proof that Megan Moss and those who prayed for her were graciously granted a miracle from God.

Megan is herself a graduate of the very fine North County Christian School (www.nccsedu.org).  They are hopeful and prayerful that parents who want their children to daily receive biblical values in their education will take a good look … and seriously, prayerfully consider … North County Christian School.  They invite your call and/or visit.

12-year-old Eric Joshua Munoz serves as Spanish to English translator in his pastor-father’s church in Guatemala.  He was my youngest radio guest to date other than my granddaughter (who read the Christmas story on air).  Eric warmly and clearly shares the Gospel of Christ as he tells of his own spiritual journey under the loving leadership of his parents.  Already he senses a “call” from God for special ministry service.  You will be impressed as to how well he handles himself in our radio conversation.  Eric was in the United States as a guest of Bryan and Vicki Brand, founders of the Jesus Name Project (www.jesusnameproject.com).  He would be delighted to receive an email from you and can be written at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

From www.zambiahope.org: “Zambia is an African country hard hit by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, with almost one million of its residents infected by the killer virus, and some 90,000 already having died from it. Suffering is widespread, exacerbated by the poverty that affects eight of ten Zambians, but none suffer more than the children made orphans when their parents die of the disease. These children face a bleak future, without parents to care for them and little if any assistance offered by the state. The United Nations estimates there are some 1,250,000 orphans in Zambia.

“In 2001, Adamson and Anne Musonda decided to do something to help the children made orphans by AIDS in their native Zambia. They started by providing the basic food, clothing and school supplies needed by 400 children in a poor area of Lusaka, the capital, but soon realized they would have to develop long-term programs to help the children build productive and successful lives. In order to organize and expand their activities effectively, the Musondas set up Zambia Hope International with a base in Lusaka and an office in Missouri to facilitate international support.  See www.zambiahope.org.”