Egyptian Amani “Amy” Sipos tells a compelling story of Jesus appearing to her in a vision “…while I was awake!”

Becoming a follower of Jesus eventually led to her working with Egyptian Coptic Priest Father Zakaria Botros, World Magazine’s 2008 Daniel of the Year – see www.worldmag.com) with his picture filling the cover .  His loving and effective ministry to Muslims, with so many of them coming to Christ, led to his being exiled from his native Egypt and Islamic extremists placing a multi-million dollar “price on his head.”  His ministry impact has been greatly multiplied through the use of the internet and of satellite television.  A few hundred of his TV presentations are recorded, some of which are aired on satellite daily, mostly in the Middle East.  He also conducts a weekly live show that receives call-ins from around the world.  The callers ask their questions of Zakaria, with some of them praying to receive Christ during the show!  Amy Sipos appears with him in some of these telecasts, interacting with Zakaria and sharing her testimony as a follower of Christ.  It is reported that, in recent years, millions of Muslims in the Middle East have become followers of Jesus.   When I informed Amy that Father Zakaria had been recognized by World Magazine (www.worldmag.com) as their 2008 Daniel of the Year, she was ecstatic!  In this interview with Amani, we briefly talk about this whole story.  An interview with Father Zakaria Botros can also be heard here on www.haroldhendrick.com by clicking on “Brief Radio Conversations” and scrolling down.

Kim Smith has become a leader in her church and beyond in helping churches begin and/or advance ministries in the areas of serving needs regarding orphans, foster care, and adoptions.  The Holy Spirit is leading, burdening more in the body of Christ to express Jesus love in these Matthew chapter 25 kinds of ways.  Much helpful information can be accessed at www.openarmssupport.com. Kim welcomes your calls for information and your questions at (636) 688-0166. An upcoming one-day conference should help you determine if God may be leading you and your church in any or all of these areas. It is Saturday, April 25, in Calvary Church in St. Peters (west edge of Greater St. Louis), MO.  Conducted by Family Life (www.hopefororphans.org), it is one of a very few such conferences conducted by Family Life in the United States this year.  You will learn much, and be able to see first hand a church currently operating a foster care, adoption, and orphan ministry.

Felix Snipes is a friend of mine from Jr. High days in Jackson, MS.  We went on “Hi-Y” trips together and Saturday night Youth For Christ.  We stood side by side in the Billy Graham choir in Tiger Stadium in Jackson.  The last night of the extended week of the series of meetings, Felix said to me: “Harold, Come go with me.  I want to rededicate my life.”  But in reality that was when he really received Christ into his life. 

In one of Felix’s ministry meetings out from Forrest, MS (at the time he and I were students at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS), he met Patsy in that small country church, and soon fell in love. I was pleased to be in their wedding.  Felix ministered extensively in music evangelism.  In later providing music leadership at Percy Ray’s Bible Camp in north Mississippi, he met Charles Stanley.  Charles invited Felix to lead music in ministry events in which Charles would preach.   The friendship blossomed.  When the Snipes moved to Atlanta and were invited to First Baptist Church, Felix was to eventually serve on the search committee seeking an Associate Pastor.  His  recommended Charles Stanley. The committee moved forward, and Dr. Stanly accepted the church’s “call.”  In moving to Atlanta from Florida, Charles, Mrs. Stanley, Becky and Andy lived with Felix and Patsy Snipes for two months while looking for a house.  In later becoming senior pastor, God further “raised up” Charles Stanley into his world-wide ministry through radio, TV, and print.  Doxology! --

Before being limited by MS, Felix led nearly 1,000 weekend meetings in churches through the USA wherein he would present an expose of the occult on Friday night and perform an old fashioned “slight of hand” magic show on Saturday night (he was a great magician, very amazing and entertaining … and, of course, he concluded his show with a clear presentation of the gospel).  On the final Sunday he did more traditional preaching.  A high percentage of people without Christ were drawn to such “entertainment” evangelism.  Many thousands came to Christ in this great ministry.

In this radio discussion Patsy Snipes -- just four days after the June 11, 2010 death of her husband Felix Snipes -- reflects with much grace and clarity compelling stories of their remarkable life together. She includes a tender experience the last full night of Felix’s life on earth.  With Patsy at his bedside and hearing his “death rattle,” the nurse asked her if she would like to get in bed with Felix.  The nurse moved Felix over a bit, and Patsy got in bed with him, comforting him … and herself … in a last expression of love and devotion in their lifetime.  The nurse pulled up the “covers.”  Patsy remained there the next several hours.  Felix Snipes was to go “home” to Heaven the next evening.  Hear Patsy Snipes share in her own words.

(The narrative below was written in 2008 in a previous radio conversation that I had with Patsy Snipes.)

Felix & Patsy Snipes … “How Charles Stanley got to Atlanta….” June 2008

Felix Snipes is a friend of mine from Jr. High days in Jackson, MS.  We went on “Hi-Y” trips together and Saturday night Youth For Christ.  We stood side by side in the Billy Graham choir in Tiger Stadium in Jackson.  The last night of the extended week of the series of meetings, Felix said to me: “Harold, Come go with me.  I want to rededicate my life.”  But in reality that was when he really received Christ into his life.  In one of Felix’s ministry meetings out from Forrest, MS (at the time he and I were students at Mississippi College in Clinton, MS), he met Patsy in that small country church, and soon fell in love. I was pleased to be in their wedding.  Felix ministered extensively in music evangelism.  In later providing music leadership at Percy Ray’s Bible Camp in north Mississippi, he met Charles Stanley.  Charles invited Felix to lead music in ministry events in which Charles would preach.   The friendship blossomed.  When the Snipes moved to Atlanta and were invited to First Baptist Church, Felix was to eventually serve on the search committee seeking an Associate Pastor.  His  recommended Charles Stanley. The committee moved forward, and Dr. Stanly accepted the church’s “call.”  In moving to Atlanta from Florida, Charles, Mrs. Stanley, Becky and Andy lived with Felix and Patsy Snipes for two months while looking for a house.  In later becoming senior pastor, God further “raised up” Charles Stanley into his world-wide ministry through radio, TV, and print.  Doxology! --

Before being limited by MS, Felix led nearly 1,000 weekend meetings in churches through the USA wherein he would present an expose of the occult on Friday night and perform an old fashioned “slight of hand” magic show on Saturday night (he was a great magician, very amazing and entertaining … and, of course, he concluded his show with a clear presentation of the gospel).  On the final Sunday he did more traditional preaching.  A high percentage of people without Christ were drawn to such “entertainment” evangelism.  Many thousands came to Christ in this great ministry.

Project Hannah (PH), a ministry of Trans World Radio (www.twr.org), is reaching out with compassion and hope to suffering women across the globe who live in spiritual darkness. In 1997, PH was founded by Awareness Advocate Marli Spieker. Having ministered to women in her home country of Brazil, Marli expanded her outreach in 1983 to lead women's ministries in Canada and the United States. Later, when Marli and her husband were Trans World Radio missionaries in Asia, God impressed upon her heart the many women who are trapped in spiritual, cultural and physical bondage. A burden grew in her heart to reach out to those sisters of hers living hopeless, unloved, forgotten lives, and let them know they are precious souls. But how?

Since radio isn't hindered by geography, religious barriers or cultural traditions, it is an ideal method to meet women where they are. In 1998, PH's 30-minute Women of Hope broadcast began airing in English from the island of Guam. The missionaries who volunteered to create the program initiated a ministry to women by women, unique from anything TWR had ever pursued. Beginning in 2000, Jennifer Hayden Epperson began producing the English version. Originally at TWR's Miami Ministry Center in Florida, Jennifer was later joined by PH English team members Tammy Stores and Rhonda Barker; in 2003, Claudette Rifenberg, a native of Jamaica, added her voice as Women of Hope co-host. Editor Ros Atkinson of Australia provided English as a second language (ESL) script adaptation for ease of translation and comprehension. Experienced volunteers from around the world provided fascinating topics, scripts and interviews on a variety of health and spiritual matters.

Pastor Ken Spilger was the only one of four pastors to survive a small plane crash in West St. Louis County, MO.  He tells about the moving experience that took the lives of three of his brother pastors.  He and his wife Beth have given birth to seven children, five of whom were born after the near death experience of their father.  Unwelcomed efforts are being made to force a casino into his North St. Louis, MO County neighborhood, the proposed location being on the Mississippi River but a half-mile from the church property he has served as pastor since 1977.  Pastor Spilger articulates his concerns for resisting such a predatory casino invading the area, noting, among other reasons, that the area is already plagued with six casinos within a half-hour of this location.  Amid his concerns Pastor Ken shares a very inspirational story of his journey of faith in Christ.

Nearly four decades ago Pastor Byron Spradlin had a fire in his heart regarding the important role of Christian art and artists. He was concerned that the body of Christ.  His own musical skills and wide range of experience help fuel vision.  The coordinating and encouraging ministry supporting every kind of art is blossoming now more than ever.  The ministry’s website (www.actinternational.org) provides this mission statement:  Artist in Christian Testimony Intl is an evangelical, interdenominational Christian Ministry that Mobilizes, sends out, equips and supports artistic ministers and missionaries who carry out works of the New Testament Church.  Hear Byron Spradlin tell the remarkable story in his own words.

Perhaps living in the Middle East half her young life helps her do it. But Brianna Stack, daughter of missionaries John and Julianna Stack, functions as a warm and unapologetic influence in her own St. Louis area high school. She takes seriously what Jesus commanded: “And you shall be my witnesses unto me…” The annual “See You At the Pole” focus provided Brianna one more opportunity to “let her light shine…” Listen to her enthusiastic and compelling short story.

Prayer Force One (www.prayerforceone.com) is both a unique means of encouraging prayer…and a bus!  It tours Missouri August 23 – 26. It concludes with a Capitol Christian Concert at the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City on Sat, August 29th.  During the day visitors are invited inside Prayer Force One.  Enthusiastically providing insights on this “Spiritual State of the Union Tour," -- inviting us to “plug in” along the way -- are former Oklahoma State Senator and Prayer Force One founder Ed Moore; and Sue Stoltz, serving as  both a six-state coordinator of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and as Mid-Missouri Manager of Bott Radio Network.  People of prayer should love the Prayer Force One website, www.prayerforceone.com … which says: 

“This ‘Spiritual State of the Union Tour’ is part of a nationwide effort to encourage Christian believers to unite in prayer for our nation and to promote special prayer for our nation at the State Capitol during the United As One, Capitol Christian Concert. Come and be a part!”