Special Forces Week #1 Des Plaines, IL

Jim Van GelderenSpecial Forces Updates

Des Plaines, IL is right near O’Hare airport. Since I grew up in the Chicago area, I have known of Brentwood Baptist in Des Plaines for many years, but I have never been here until this week. Pastor Hines has been at this church for 50 years. Now Pastor Daryl York is pastor and is doing a fine job. I knew Pastor York when he was an assistant at the Martinsville Baptist Tabernacle in Martinsville, IN.

The team ministered all week in the Christian school. Several teens responded to deal with bitterness and hidden sin issues. I was so encouraged when they stood to give testimony on the final night. Josh Swanson gave his testimony on Friday as well and the Lord worked particularly in one young man who knew he needed to talk to his parents. What a blessing when he decided to do that. Most of the teens were very responsive to the preaching of the Word all week.

There were several students who were from China and were just learning English. I do not know how much of the preaching they understood, but I trust that some things got through and that they will eventually get saved. We did have a few visitors from the community. One was a Muslim boy who I could tell was very unsettled while I preached. He did not come back, but I trust the Gospel seed got in his heart.

About the Author

Jim Van Gelderen

Dr. Jim Van Gelderen is president of Minutemen Ministries, vice-president of Baptist College of Ministry, and evangelist out of Falls Baptist Church. He and his wife, Rhonda, travel the country in evangelism. They have three daughters.