Special Forces | Matthews, NC | March 21-26, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Pastor Ron Allen of Bible Baptist Church and I graduated in the same class in 1982. It was great to be with him again. I am thankful for what the Lord is doing there! Our team has also been with his principal, Brad Parker, before when he was a principal up in Maryland. The Lord gave us a great week … Read More

Special Forces | Spartanburg, SC | March 14-19, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Back in early 2021, we had a late cancellation for the second week of March. I sent an email to Pastor James Wooten at Westgate Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC. Although our team had been at Westgate before, we had not yet been with Pastor Wooten. Pastor Wooten graciously asked the team to come at the “last minute”. In fact, … Read More

Special Forces | Greer, SC | March 7-12, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

March opened with our team in Greer, SC at Calvary Baptist Church. We have come to love and appreciate Pastor Nathan Thomas and his staff. The Lord gave us a wonderful week, and we had some record attendance. There were 135 different teens who came to the rally nights with a high night of 107. Brendan, the Seal team captain, … Read More

Special Forces | Deltona, FL | February 7-12, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Over the years we have had the privilege of coming to Faith Baptist Church and Deltona Christian School often with the War of Special Forces every two years. Each time is always a blessing. We have come to love the leadership and people. There are many good memories of working together, and this year was no exception. We had 120 … Read More

Special Forces | Orlando, FL | January 31-February 5, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

When one thinks of Orlando, most folks will think of some well-known vacation destination, but I think of Tabernacle Baptist Church and Heritage Prep School. The Lord has given us many weeks of ministry here over the years with Pastor Markus Secrist, the youth pastor, and Pastor Steve Ware. Each year we are thrilled with all the Lord does. This … Read More

Special Forces | Land O’ Lakes, FL | January 24-29, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

I always enjoy going to First Baptist in Land O’ Lakes. Pastor Peterson has been there for years, and I appreciate the spirit in the church. Over the years, we have had the privilege of going there several times. This year in addition to conducting the War of Special Forces, we also were able to have some revival services. We … Read More

Special Forces | Tampa, FL | January 17-22, 2021

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

I think it was 14 years ago our team came to Westgate Baptist Church for the first time. Each visit since then has been a blessing. This year was no exception. I believe God was working all week even though there were not a lot of ways to tell. However on the last day, there began to be a responsiveness … Read More

Special Forces | Kirksville, MO | October 24-26, 2020

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Over a year ago, Pastor Aaron Rodgerson from Kirksville, MO asked me to come to his church for a meeting. My schedule was full so I had to tell him it was not going to work out. Well, then came COVID and some meetings cancelled in the fall. I saw Pastor Rodgerson in August and told him that I might … Read More

Special Forces | Lisbon, OH | October 10-12, 2020

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

This summer my wife and I were out on the road in a journey of faith. The Lord had opened up a couple of weeks of ministry, and I had a week open after those meetings and before another opportunity. Pastor Matt Phillips had asked me in the past to come to his church in Ohio, but we could never … Read More