Unknown Heroes of the Faith

When I read Hebrews 11 several thoughts enter my mind. One is the Hall of Fame. Being an avid football watcher, I anxiously await as the nominees are announced as who might make it to Canton Ohio and due to their accomplishments on the field will find their way to glory. The glory of the football Hall of fame.

I often think how surprising it will be when we get to heaven and who the real heroes will be. I think will I be able to meet William Carey the father of missions of India. CT Studd I just love to say his name, Studd. Also a man who made such a difference in India and Africa. When I travel to India my mind wanders as to think that the above men maybe walked these streets at some point. The price they paid, the sacrifices they have made. It humbles me to think they were so moved by the strangers and outcast and their condition that traveled great distances to reach a people who knew not who Jesus Christ was.

I would like to introduce you to man, many of you will have never ed heard his name. He is small in stature relatively quite. Not American born. His name is Pastor James Gill. He is from Lahore Pakistan. I met James one day in a Target store in Redlands California. I approached him and asked " Are you from India"? With a huge grin he responded "No Pakistan"! "I then asked are you Muslim"? He laughed with such a laugh that I will always recall. "Oh no he replied", I am a Christian and a Pastor. I was instantly drawn to this man. I later discovered through many conversation that Pastor James Gill at the age of 73 has come to America to be a missionary. He has told me that he heard that in America people his age retire to gamble and drive RV's all over the country and chase the American dream of retirement(my words not his).


James Gill is in my Faith Hall of Fame for many special reasons. He has undying devotion to Jesus Christ. Once I gave him a small offering and his response to me was "We must send this to the suffering Pastor's in Pakistan". He preaches with fire of man dying to communicate his message. For all that you are Pastor James, when I find myself in God's dwelling called Heaven. James Gill is one man I will seek out