Greetings in the name of the Most High God, who was pierced for our transgressions and raised from the dead for our justification.  In Him is life, and this life is the light of men (John 1:4).

I am composing this report in a dark office just outside of Niles, Michigan.  My sister, Anna, lives here and works for this ministry which focuses upon revival in our nation’s churches.  My Uncle and Aunt also work here and graciously lent us their large and spacious RV for a few days of rest.  It is parked out on the grounds of this retreat center where the stars are bright at night, the sky is expansive, and the sounds of a godless society are far from the ears.  All of these positive qualities make it easier to overlook the hordes of mosquitoes that have torn my legs apart.  As I was walking over to this office to use the computer tonight, the red glow of Mars looked me from the southeast horizon.  I was reminded of Psalm 8:3-4 and Romans 1.  Men that reject God are WITHOUT EXCUSE before the Judge of all Creation.

Yesterday framed a long and arduous piece of this Coast to Coast 2003 puzzle.  After a restful night's sleep on the campus of Indiana Wesleyan University, Jamie and I left our newfound friends and headed north. After I had biked about six miles outside of town, a spoke snapped on my rear wheel.  I waited around in the sultry heat for Jamie to get back to me so I could get out the tools and do a little mechanical fumbling under the searing sun.  It was beyond my repair, so fortunately, there was a bicycle shop back in Marion.  To make a long story short, this seemingly aggravating inconvenience set up a couple witnessing opportunities.  We were able to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with two guys in the bicycle shop and a slew of Chinese folks who ran a cheap Chinese Food joint just down the street.  May the Word of the Lord not return void.

We finally got back on the road around 1:00pm.  It was very hot and the road to Niles seemed to stretch on forever.  We intentionally piddled around so as to hasten dusk and cooler temperatures.  Some really severe thunderstorms struck north of me, but thanks be to God, I never ran into them.  The sky grew ominous overhead a couple of times, but the storm never came.  I was at least thankful for some cloud cover.

On Indiana Highway 15 just south of a turnoff onto another state road, I met “Pappy" at his roadside produce stand.  He called me over and offered a nice, juicy peach for my refreshment.  That was the best peach I ever tasted.  After sharing my story and my purpose with him, he said, "Well, young man, you came about 50 years too late to witness to me.  I have been born again for half a century and was just about to share the Gospel with you."  Such a testimony was a blessing that helped counter the weariness of the moment.  When I left, he filled up a bag full of peaches and told me to help myself to any of the produce that I wanted.  The Lord is good.

After a roadside nap and attacks by mosquito hoardes, it was on through the towns of Disko and Akron, Indiana.  With regard to the latter, we enjoyed a cheap dinner at a local food joint where the Lord gave us a couple more witnessing opportunities.  By the time this was finished, it was twilight, and I had 60 miles to pedal before reaching Niles.  We decided to keep going until we got there.  In a little town called Bourbon (I biked through at about 11:00pm), there was a big monument to the TEN COMMANDMENTS right there in the town square.  Eat that, you federal judiciary fools (Psalm 14:1) who saw to it that such a monument was removed in an Alabama STATE courthouse.  ONLY A FOOL CAN SAY THERE IS NO GOD.  What ever happened to the 10th Amendment to the Constitution?

About 6 miles outside of Bourbon, I hit the 1000-mile point of my bicycle trek.  Only Jamie, the planet Mars, the stars, and a couple of cows were there to share in this milestone.  And, the Lord God presided.  He deserves all the credit.

By this point, I was totally wiped out, but kept pedaling.  A telephone call from a buddy in California helped pass the time.  Finally, we made it to South Bend, Indiana where debris from earlier storms littered the streets.  I was dodging all kinds of stuff for several miles.  Near the campus of Notre Dame University, two punks pulled up behind me at a stoplight and saw my "Jesus Saves" Christian flag flying behind my bike.  As they pulled off, one of them screamed "@#$%! Jesus!"  This made me really upset, so I gave some prophetic words right back to them.  I cannot believe someone could utter such words.  I pray that these boys get saved, but if not, their knees will one day drop before the One whom they cursed (Philippians 2:10-11).  Shortly, thereafter, this experience was countered by a car that drove by and honked at me.  The people inside cheered the same message that those punks blasphemed.  There has been a lot of this joyful acknowledgment in Indiana for some reason.  It is always a blessing and gives me a boost of determination to keep pedaling.  The Lord has His remnant out there—TRUE CHRISTIANS, not lukewarm churchgoers.

Once I finally crossed the state line at Bertrand, Michigan, we called it quits for the day, 110 miles later.  We then drove out to the Life Action Retreat Center and the trailer that was waiting for us.  After a much needed shower, I was in the bed around 4:00am.  Needless to say, today was spent in restful relaxation.

Tomorrow and Friday, I will be leading morning devotions with some of the staff out here at the Life Action Ministries Headquarters.  Please pray that the Lord will give me the words to say and that my experiences on this journey will help spur others to intentional evangelism.  Being out here, where the focus is upon revival, has made me think extensively about the concept of revival.  Earlier today, I noticed a painting of the United States with a fire bursting out in the middle of the map.  It was entitled, "Vision of Revival."  What would this really look like?  I know what it looked like in the Great Spiritual Awakenings that went on in this nation many years ago.  The annals of history record this.  At the root of such was public proclamation of the Gospel and intentional evangelism.  And, what fomented was Christians who embraced their Great Commission responsibilities and went on to make evangelism a way of life.  After all, this is simply the model set forth in the Book of Acts.  Acts, my friends, does not conclude with an "Amen."  The work is supposed to go on.  But alas, the churches in America are so self-centered and program-oriented.  Nationwide revival will only come when local bodies of true Christians fully embrace their Great Commission responsibilities.  I have said this before, and I will say it again:  All Christian ministry should have as its foundation the evangelistic proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and as its ultimate manifestation the planting of Bible-believing New Testament churches (albeit, such may take on a variety of forms and places in the process).  Those efforts that fall short of this are not New Testament in their approach and will actually impede spiritual revival.

Well, enough preaching.  It has been a few days since I have been able to stand on a street corner and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ publicly.  Like Jeremiah, the Word of God is a fire in my bones and I just had to let off a little steam (Jeremiah 20:9).  Alas, I do believe that the general state of our nation is beyond repair.  I do not anticipate great revival before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Forgive the pessimism.  However, I do believe that we can still have a major impact on individual lives that are hurting and in need of the Blessed Hope ONLY found in Jesus Christ, the God of heaven and earth.  The absolute best way you can support Jamie and me in this journey is to go out into your communities and be bold witnesses for the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17).  This does not mean that you have to preach on the street corners.  There are people that you come in contact with everyday that are hopelessly LOST.  Get some Gospel tracts, make the Gospel the topic of conversation, look for opportunities to witness, and be intentional.  The results may be surprising.  Beware, however, such behavior is addictive.  I speak from experience.

Before I sign off (the hour is late), please pray for us over the next couple of days.  We are pondering the specifics of the route as it proceeds from here.  We seek divine guidance.  Also, on Friday, we plan to hit the streets of Chicago with the Word of God.  Pray for the salvation of souls and mass distribution of the Word of God.  My sister and a couple of young people from Life Action Ministries will be joining us.  Pray that the experience has an impact on their lives that brings glory to the Almighty.

We love you all; your prayerful support and consideration makes you fellow-helpers to the truth that we proclaim.

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30).

For the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ,
Jesse & Jamie Boyd