How It All Began

How did “Standing In The Gap” become a reality? Our church was having a Fall Festival and I thought it would be a great idea to invite the children on my bus route to the event and pick them up in a school bus. Two obstacles had to be overcome to accomplish this idea. (1.) How do I get the invitations to the event to the parents without mailing them? (2) Access to a school bus.
(1.) How do I get the invitation to the parents? The assistant superintendent for the district is also the person that oversees the transportation department. I told him I had something I wanted to discuss with him. I realized that combining school district policy and an invitation to a “church event”, was a gray area. My plan was to take the flier from our church for the event and attach a letter from me explaining the event and telling the parents I would pick the children up on a school bus. After listening to my request, he said as much as I think it’s a great idea, and as much as I want to let you do it, I can’t take the chance of getting you and me in trouble. I told him I understood and appreciated his time. After leaving his office and walking down the hall, I heard him call my name. I went back to his office and he said – let’s do it, and if we get in trouble, we’ll go down together. I was thrilled with his decision and that weekend I prepared approximately 85 invitations to give the children on Monday as they were getting off the bus in the afternoon. The invitation stated that I would pick up the children on the date of the event on a school bus. One obstacle overcome, one remaining, you guessed it, what about a bus? (2) The place where my granddaughter takes gymnastics had a school bus sitting in front of the building. While I was putting this plan together, I asked the owner of the gym if I could rent the school bus for an event? She said yes or I’ll sell it for $2500 if you want it, the only problem is, the bus will not start and I didn’t have $2500. I did have the money to rent the bus which would allow me to keep my commitment of picking up the children on a bus. My son and I began on Wednesday working on the bus trying to get it to start, but it wouldn’t start. My wife and I had made a prior commitment to attend a wedding of a close friend on Friday and wouldn’t return until late Friday afternoon. Thursday afternoon my son worked on the bus again, but it still wouldn’t start. He decided to contact a friend who is a diesel mechanic asking if he would bring his equipment to determine why the bus wouldn’t start. He said he would, but he couldn’t come until Friday morning. “Remember, the event is Saturday”. It was determined Friday morning there was a computer problem with the bus and it would involve a lot of time and money to make the needed repairs. That was when my son called me and told me the results of the test. I was thinking, now what? He told me, I’ve got a plan, he said, I’ll get back with you. During this time my son contacted a friend of his and told him our plan and asked if he would donate the money needed to buy the bus, he said yes. WOW, answered prayer. At the same time my son’s girlfriend searches Craigslist and finds a bus in Jacksonville, AR. My son contacts the person and gets information about the bus and calls me Friday morning before the wedding sharing the details. He sent me a picture and said the person will be home that Friday afternoon waiting for me to look at the bus. During our trip back to Hot Springs, we took an alternate route to Jacksonville to look at the bus. The bus was in very good condition. After driving and inspecting it, I talked with the person about the price. The original price was $3000, but he said your son told me the reason you are buying the bus and he agreed to sell it for $2500. I bought the bus and drove it home that afternoon. The following morning “Saturday”, I picked up 25 children on my bus route and another 20 came to the event with their parents. The following Monday and throughout the week several of the children on the bus said they had a great time, and asked when is the next event? I also had several parents express their appreciation for everything that was done to provide the children with a very enjoyable time.
The week after the Fall Festival was a time of soul searching. It was very obvious the children and the parents enjoyed themselves and appreciated everything that was done. So the question was, what’s next? I have a bus, I have an opportunity to have a positive influence on approximately 60 to 70 children that ride my bus not including their friends, parents and the possibility of many others. Once again the question remains, how do I capitalize on this opportunity? In my quiet time in the mornings after reading God’s word I began praying asking for wisdom and the ability to listen and be led by the Holy Spirit on how to capitalize on this opportunity? One morning as I was sitting in my office I looked up and noticed the aerial view picture of the Promise Keepers event hanging on the wall in my office. 

On October 4th, 1997, Promise Keepers sponsored a men’s rally in Washington D.C. There was an estimated one million men and boys in attendance. My son and I had the privilege of attending this rally. The focus was on men dying to self and recommitting their lives to Jesus our savior. To accept their responsibility as the servant leader in their home and to “Stand In The Gap”, by being the intercessor, the person who prays for protection of his family and others from Satan. Being a person who fills in the gaps in each person’s armor as they mature and become stronger in their faith. In Ezekiel 22:30 - “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap. After reading the verse I realized that was it. My Lord wanted to use me as an instrument to “Stand In The Gap”. To be the person described in Ezekiel 22:30 to build a wall or a hedge of protection, and to encourage the children to be open-minded and consider their present behavior, their thoughts, their way of life and to be encouraged and excited as they are exposed to a new way of thinking, a change in their behavior, with the ultimate goal of them accepting Christ as their savior and begin their journey with Him as Lord. The next step is How? In my quiet time once again I find myself before my Lord in prayer, asking How? From my experience as a bus driver I knew there was a lack of character traits being taught in the home (honesty and respect just to mention a few), so I knew that by using Character as a core principle, would have a long-lasting positive impact in the children’s lives. Second, principle Hope. I wanted to be sure the children understood there is Hope. Growing up in the intercity isn’t always a place filled with Hope. Third principle, their Purpose in life. I want to expose the children to the idea of discovering their purpose because that is essential in preparing them for the future. Fourth principle Success. I want the children to understand the true meaning of success and to realize they can and will become successful. My Lord was faithful in revealing these four principles to me and will be faithful as we begin this ministry. In summary. The main objective is to “Stand In The Gap”, to provide a safe haven for the children as we bridge the gap for kids between a life without Character, Hope, Purpose and Success, to a life of True Happiness as we demonstrate, and teach these four principles and Much More.

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Finally, I asked you to be in prayer about the amazing opportunity that is before us and to consider giving of your time, your wisdom, and sharing the love of Christ in these children’s lives. In doing so, we’ll have a positive impact on the children, their parents, and the community as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

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