Dearly Beloved: Greetings and sincere apology for the lull in communication. For all of you who are wondering, let me get to the point quickly:

He that began a good work in us hath surely brought it to completion (Philippians 1:6). On Saturday, October 30, at 6:00pm (Pacific Standard Time), my bicycle rolled up onto the sand and then into the waters of the Pacific Ocean along a beach just outside Neah Bay, Washington after 4,712 total miles pedaled for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. “Coast to Coast 2003” is finally accomplished. “Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 7:12). Thanks to all of you who offered up your prayers and support over the past 16 months. This has been your ministry and now is your blessing.

Before detailing the events of the final few days on the bicycle, let me briefly promulgate where we and Full Proof Gospel Ministries go from here. Presently, we are in Yakima, Washington where we are preparing to pull the RV back across the country. Lord willing, we will be in North Carolina by Christmas. Sometime in mid-January, I will be driving back out to Yakima so as to tow our stored stuff home with a U-haul trailer—another cross-country journey. Believe it or not, this is by far the cheapest and most cost-efficient means of transferring our stuff (about half of what it would cost to pay a moving company or to fly back out here and rent a U-haul truck) and will allow further opportunity for spreading the Gospel and hitting the streets of some major cities heretofore bypassed.

Recently, I asked you all to pray for God’s wisdom and direction as to our next missionary journey. We believe that he has revealed clear direction over the past couple of weeks. We continue to seek confirmation for what I am about to describe, but we will pursue this course vigorously unless the Lord directs us otherwise. To make a long story short, the journey to India will not happen in January. Instead, we hope to undertake this excursion sometime in the fall of 2005. This timeframe will allow for better preparation, and it will be better suited for Jamie and Bethany to join me. In addition to partnering up with my friend, Russ, in India, we also anticipate a circuit into Nepal, Tibet, and China, spreading the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ all along the way. Most certainly, more details about this will be laid out for you in the future. For now, however, please commit this potential journey to prayer. In order for all this to happen, the Lord must work out some difficult logistics and make financial provision.

Before Full Proof Gospel Ministries goes international, there is more that first must be accomplished for the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ here in the United States. Although I had long looked forward to fully retiring my bicycle at Neah Bay, the Lord began to convict my heart otherwise as I was pedaling up the Oregon Coast last month. In my most recent email update, I mentioned having to replace and repair some things on my bicycle with only about 130 miles left to go. This hassle, in addition to creating some witnessing opportunities, served to confirm my suspicions and convictions: The Lord was not through with me and the bicycle. Therefore, after much prayer and pondering, we have decided to undertake another epic pedaling journey that will begin this spring and last throughout the summer. Lord willing, I will start in Key West, Florida (the southernmost point in the contiguous United States) and pedal up the Atlantic Coast to Estcourt Station, Maine (the northernmost point in the contiguous United States)—about 2,200 miles. All along the way, we will be publicly proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ on highways and byways and in towns and communities. We also look forward to hitting the streets of major cities like Miami and Tallahassee, Florida; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Harrisburg and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Syracuse, New York; NewYork City; Boston, Massachusetts; etc. Please join us as we continue to pray about “Florida to Maine 2005.” As with the aforementioned trip to Asia, there are logistical obstacles that must be overcome, spiritual strongholds that must be thrown down, and financial needs that must be met. We commit these to the Lord, for “he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself” (II Timothy 2:13). As this journey will prospectively be nearing its close in August of next year, we are also hoping and praying that Chad will be able to join us on the road for a few weeks again. The Lord’s will be done.

In the meantime, we will spend the next several weeks traveling back to North Carolina (as previously mentioned). Please pray for opportunities to proclaim the Gospel each day and boldness to hit the streets of some major cities that will lie in our path. The holidays will be spent with our families and our home church (Living Word Baptist) in North Carolina. January, February, and March will be a sabbatical of sorts as we establish our ministry’s base camp and prepare for “Florida to Maine 2005.” We also hope to use this time to revisit the streets of Hickory, North Carolina on a regular basis and perhaps start a Bible Study like the one in Mammoth Lakes, California. This time, however, we hope to see the efforts bloom into the planting of a Bible-believing New Testament Church in the midst of a cluster of communities infected with lukewarm Laodicean “churchianity.” Please pray for wisdom, divine guidance, and boldness in these matters.

All that I have described retains a tentative flavor, for all is subject to the will of Almighty God. We continue to seek his face and will be obedient regardless of where the path may lead. As a Christian song I recently heard goes: “It’s a reckless road and a sacrifice. I’m crazy, scared, it may cost our lives. Then I remember Jesus died . . .”

Now, I must share one more thing before I go into detail about the last days of “Coast to Coast 2003.” Though I have become pretty apolitical over the past couple of years, the recent Presidential Election was a source of some stress for us and this ministry. The results, we believed, would have a direct bearing on this ministry’s capacity to carry out the public proclamation of the Gospel apart from governmental persecution and ridiculous hate crime legislation that would restrict the public proclamation of the ONLY WAY to heaven (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) under the penalty of law. So, we exercised our right to vote and spent much time in prayer for our nation over the past few weeks, holding steadfastly to the truth proclaimed in Daniel 4:17, 25, 32, 25; 5:21; and Romans 13:1—The Most High God rules in the kingdoms of men, and political powers are put in place by the Lord so as to carry out his ultimate and sovereign purposes. I must say that last Tuesday’s election results brought a sigh of relief and were an answer to our prayers. The Lord was truly merciful toward our backslidden nation and stayed his hand of judgment. Now, I know that many Christians across this country were praying after the same manner, but in a weird way, I felt as if the Lord specifically answered our prayers, giving this ministry an open door, at least for the time being. In fact, the Lord brought Revelation 3:8 immediately to my mind as I pondered upon these things: “I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.” Don’t get me wrong, I believe that this nation and this society are on a downward tumble. I do not anticipate that this will change, for the Bible makes it clear that perilous times will come in the last days (II Timothy 3). And, 45,000+ miles of traveling and 4,700 miles of pedaling to and fro across this nation over the past 16 months clearly indicate to me that we are living in the last days. Our responsibility to proclaim the Gospel remains grave. While the door of opportunity lies open, the potential is vast. That door will inevitably close, and harsh persecution will arise, but we must nonetheless carry on. But, for now, the door remains open and the time of tribulation must yet wait for a little while. Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

The last email update ended with us experiencing some loneliness in Aberdeen, Washington. Chad had just returned home to North Carolina, and we were preparing to knock out the last 130 miles. On Wednesday, October 27, it dawned cold, and I spent the morning running some last-minute errands in Aberdeen. A few Gospel tracts were put out, and I ran over to the library to check my email. Enroute, I prayed that God would somehow reveal his direction about India and the immediate future of Full Proof Gospel Ministries. Amazingly, the Lord answered these prayers in my inbox through the wisdom and advice of one of his faithful servants.

By noon, we left Aberdeen and drove up to Humptulips (where I previously ceased riding). From there, I pedaled about 50 miles to Kalaloch, Washington in Olympic National Park. The day was absolutely gorgeous, and there was not a cloud in the sky. The hoary head of Mt. Olympus was clearly visible as I pedaled in view of Lake Quinalt, and it was so good to be with the ocean again as Hwy. 101 again hugged the coast. In the small town of Amanda Park, Jamie witnessed to some high school students out selling yearbook ads as well as a lady in the post office and a woman at the local deli. Moreover, some tracts were put out in various places. That evening, we rendezvoused at this sweet picnic area overlooking the ocean and beheld a glorious sunset. From there, we drove about 30 miles north up to the town of Forks. In Forks, we found a campground; it would be our final base camp. By this time, the weather forecast showed a 90% chance of heavy rain for the next several days, and the campground manager warned me that I would be pedaling to Neah Bay in wet misery. We prayed otherwise.

On Thursday (October 28), we took the truck and drove back south to resume the bicycle ride from Kalaloch. The skies were gray, and rain appeared imminent. The ride began along the edge of the continent, so I found myself gazing at the ominous storm clouds heading toward me from out at sea. I prayed that the Lord would continue to withhold the rain. The air was damp; the forest was thick; my legs were stiff. I pedaled on . . . Within an hour, the sun pierced the clouds, and I was able to pedal under a big patch of blue sky as the road wound through a dark forest of cedar. After 34 miles, I pedaled into Forks a dry man. So much for the weather forecast. Along the way, I was able to put out several tracts and witness to Stephanie, a flag-woman on the outskirts of a construction zone. She was very open and accepted a Gospel tract. While pedaling through the mess of construction, I also proclaimed Romans 6:23 to those who were working.

I did not ride on Friday (October 29). I believed that I should finish on Saturday, and from Forks, there were only 55 miles remaining. Therefore, we decided to spend the day engaged in various other activities. Things began as I was packing up the truck: a Jehovah’s Witness approached and attempted to “educate” me with her lies. She had no answer for the Scriptures that clearly delineate the deity of Jesus Christ and salvation as a free gift (things they deny). All they can do is change these Scriptures in their perverted and corrupt “Watchtower Translation.” She became frustrated and told me to have a good day; I refused to bid her Godspeed (II John 1:10-11). Early, we drove out to Second Beach in Olympic National Park. Enroute, I stopped to fill up with overpriced gas. While pumping, I was able to witness to young Earl; he was walking down the street. Earl was very open, recognizing his need for a Saviour. Please pray for his salvation.

After hiking out to Second Beach, we paused to pray and read the Scriptures, sitting upon a large piece of driftwood. The wild beauty of the place was awe-inspiring. ‘Twas a wild and rugged wasteland—a panorama of sea stacks, rocky crags, driftwood, and rough surf. We prayed for the Lord to speak to us through his Word, and he did. I was humbled by the truth given to us in II Corinthians 9:6: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly: and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.” I believe that this not only applies to the giving of ourselves and our finances to the work of the ministry but also to the sowing of the seeds of the Gospel. Immediately, I was convicted. In many ways and on many occasions throughout this epic journey, we had sowed the seeds of the Gospel sparingly. We thus reaped sparingly. Had we sowed bountifully, we would have reaped bountifully. For every witnessing encounter that we did have, there were many more that were overlooked and avoided. I was prompted to ask the Lord for forgiveness and for the boldness to sow bountifully.

From Second Beach, we drove back to Forks and the Hwy. 101 RV Park. While Jamie and Bethany were napping, I decided to take the truth that the Lord had shown me that morning and hit the streets of Forks, sowing the seeds of the Gospel bountifully. We had also been praying for several days that the Lord would give us divine appointments here at the end of the journey. I would be searching Forks for such as I used my story (i.e. at the end of a long pedaling journey) as a bridge to the Gospel. The first young man that I approached out on the sidewalk listened attentively and openly acknowledged the truth of the Gospel and his need for a Saviour. We had a long conversation, and it came down to his choice. He unexpectedly responded: “I choose to reject it because that is the way I am.” He then walked off. I stood there in the middle of the sidewalk dumbfounded. Shortly thereafter, another man rudely rejected the Good News. Across the street at the transit station/rest area, however, things took a dramatic turn. Two women in the lobby accepted Gospel tracts, and I had a long conversation with Jessie and Chrissy—two teenage girls on their way to Port Angeles. Jessie was so close to accepting Jesus Christ, but I would not push her. Only God can give the increase (I Corinthians 3:7). She was ready to accept God’s gift of salvation, but then her bus signaled its boarding call. Both of these young ladies took Gospel tracts and Bibles dog-eared at the Gospel of John. This was definitely a divine appointment, and I am inclined to believe that Jessie accepted Jesus Christ while riding on that bus or shortly thereafter.

I remained in the vicinity of the transit center for a while longer. The Lord continued to give me opportunities to sow bountifully. Soon, another divine appointment clearly manifested itself: I had a long conversation with two young teenage boys who were out skateboarding. Like Jessie, Luke and Joel were so close to accepting Jesus Christ into their hearts. They received Gospel tracts and Bibles, and we prayed together. Eventually, Joel’s mother, Julie, drove up to pick up the boys and take them home. She, too, was very open to the Gospel and accepted a Gospel tract. Please pray for these. Like Jessie, I am inclined to believe that these two boys came to Christ shortly thereafter. They were close, acknowledged their need for God’s gift, and heard a clear presentation.

For the next couple of hours, I continued to walk the streets as the rain continued to hold off. There were many more witnessing encounters, including a group of four “Gothic” teenagers hanging out behind an old locomotive engine in the city park: One girl rejected everything with hostility but finally took a Gospel tract. Another young man took a beanie in the name of Jesus Christ and a Gospel tract. James listened attentively and asked some good questions. He, too, accepted a Gospel tract. Finally, Jeremy (with a spike collar around his neck and black fingernails) seemed embarrassed and ashamed as I preached. He claimed to be a Christian and clearly confessed Jesus Christ. He knew that I knew he was not walking with the Lord and hanging around with the wrong crowd. I gently rebuked him in front of his friends and exhorted him about his responsibility to share the Gospel with others. He acknowledged this and asked if I would help him get started by giving him some Gospel tracts. He promised to hand them out, so I gave him a hefty stack. Additional encounters included two ladies walking down the sidewalk, a Native American teenager waiting for a bus, a young woman sitting in a wheelchair with an oxygen tube, and two teenagers out in front of the local high school. I even ran into the young man who I first shared the Gospel with two more times, the young man that chose bluntly to reject. On the third encounter, he finally took a Gospel tract. Please pray that the Word of the Lord does not return void.

As soon as the day’s work was done, the skies opened up, and the rain came down in horrendous torrents. I then met Jamie and Bethany at a local coffee shop for some dinner. This set up a good witnessing encounter with Mimi, our waitress. That night, it rained and rained and rained. I feared that I would be unable to finish the next day. I bedded down with a prayer on my lips.

Saturday dawned grim as band after band of heavy rain swept through the area. I started to doubt, but the Lord abided faithful (II Timothy 2:13). Everything would happen according to his timing. Around 11:00am, there was a break in the weather. Moreover, Mark and Tammy Chapman (the Christian couple who lives at the redwood ranch where we enjoyed respite in Northern California) drove up. We rejoiced that they had come to be there with us at the end. It would not be lonely after all. At 11:41am, I mounted the bicycle under patches of blue sky and piercing sun rays. It looked like more rain was on its way, but I would press on in faith. The Lord had been faithful heretofore; why would he forsake us now? Right off the bat, I was able to share the Gospel with two teenagers walking down the sidewalk in Forks. I also prayed much for Jessie, Joel, and Luke; they were so close to everlasting life the day before. But, only God can give the increase. I cannot save them, so I simply gave thanks for the privilege of having been able to proclaim the Gospel into their lives.

After about an hour of pedaling and a little bicycle trouble that was quickly fixed, I saw the first highway sign that read “Neah Bay.” I was well on my way. After following U.S. Highway 101 up the coast for many miles, I left it for the last time and turned onto State Route 113 in Sappho. A sign read: Clallam Bay = 16 miles; Sekiu = 18 miles; Neah Bay = 35 miles.

I continued to ride and was forced to pedal through a cold, hard rainstorm. The Lord was testing my faith and my resolve. Eventually, it passed over, but I was soaked to the bone and very cold. During the deluge, a Christian man stopped to give me a drink and a snack. This small blessing helped to solidify my resolve.

In Sekiu, the road began to hug the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The hills of British Columbia were visible across the water. It started to rain again, so we all stopped for some lunch at a local café overlooking the strait. One of the restaurant owners was very open to the Gospel and accepted a Gospel tract.

From Sekiu, it became apparent that the Lord had saved some of the most magnificent scenery for the final stretch. Sea stacks and rocky crags dotted the coastline, and I rode right along the water as the waves crashed with ferocity. The air was cold; the forest was thick; and the sun was piercing the clouds. I kept pedaling on through another cold shower. Eight miles from the end of Highway 112, I heard a car horn honking behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see my parents drive up in a rental car. They had flown into Seattle that morning and had driven out to be with us at the end. I rejoiced, for the Lord had sent precious people to be there with us at the finish line.

At Milemarker 0, the road kept going. I stopped to share the Gospel with a young man changing out of his wetsuit on the side of the highway. He accepted a Gospel tract and congratulated me on nearly completing the journey. I pedaled on. At 5:28pm, I rolled into Neah Bay, completely exhausted. Fittingly, I was able to proclaim the Gospel with several people out on the streets of this Makah Indian Reservation town. Some accepted Gospel tracts; but others laughed, mocked, and rejected with hostility. A group of three teenagers, in particular, was extremely rude. A boy implicitly threatened me with his knife, and a young girl had the outrageous gaul to say: “The Bible says that you are not supposed to go around and preach to others; you should keep your religion to yourself . . .” Oh, Ah, Ugh, the IGNORANCE (Amos 8:11-12).

No one got saved this day as I had prayed. I accept this, for the Lord knows best. I simply count myself privileged to have proclaimed the Word of God and the Testimony of Jesus Christ. Another cold rain began to fall, and the road continued out past the town of Neah Bay. I would go to the end of the pavement, but the Lord was testing my faith.

Jamie, my parents, and the Chapmans had driven up ahead to find a suitable finish line. The Chapmans then returned to direct me. I pedaled and pedaled, thinking the end would never come. The rain poured down; I was soaked and on the verge of hypothermia. I feared that I would be unable to bask at the finish, for it would be dumping rain. I prayed for the Lord to intervene. Moreover, I knew not what the end would look like. Would I even see the Pacific Ocean, or would I be stuck in some dreary forest? Would there be high cliffs, or would I actually be able to put my front tire in the water? I had wondered about these things for 4,700 miles. The rain then stopped. At 6:00pm, things ended on a beautiful beach. The ran had ceased, and we all beheld a glorious sunset. God was good. A makeshift finish line had been constructed between two trees, and I broke through it with bittersweet rejoicing. Immediately, everyone doused me with spray confetti. I embraced my wife, kissed my daughter, and gave thanks to Almighty God. That day, I had pedaled 55 miles, and my trip odometer stopped at 4,712 miles. The finish line was simply perfect.

The Finish Line after 4,712 Miles of Pedaling

Now, before I detail the interesting events of the very end, let me again thank you all for your prayers and support over the past 16 months. The Lord has been faithful, and thousands have heard the glorious Gospel of the Blessed God. None of this could have happened without you. In a way, I felt like you all were there with me in spirit as I pushed my bicycle out onto the sand and into the cold waters of the Pacific. Please pray for us as we make decisions and follow the course the Lord has laid before us to continue proclaiming the Gospel. This journey is complete, but the ministry carries on. Stay tuned for more adventures, and please commit the requests laid out at the beginning of this long update to prayer. From Neah Bay, we all drove back to Port Angeles and enjoyed a couple days of sweet fellowship with my parents and the Chapmans. From Port Angeles, it was on to Seattle, and then over to Yakima. Here in Yakima, we prepare to make the long journey home. So, help us, God.

Anyway, back to the finish line. For a long time, I had prayed that the Lord would give me the opportunity to proclaim the Gospel to a lost soul right at the finish. This seemed improbable, for we were out in the middle of nowhere. However, the Lord was faithful: there was a car parked on the beach with a man and a woman inside. Before packing up the bicycle for the last time, Jamie and I approached and knocked on the window. I explained what I had just completed; the man congratulated me; and I proceeded to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What followed was one of the harshest and rudest rejections we had encountered along the entire journey.

“If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified” (I Peter 4:14).

Jesse, Jamie, and Bethany