September 30, 2026
Dear Friends,
This week, three men prayed with me according to the pattern of Luke 18:13 & Romans 10:9.
The first is a nurse in his mid-20s, studying to be an engineer. He wrote:
“Hello Dr. James Tour. My name is ________________ from _________, USA. Currently a nurse and striving towards a degree in engineering and I have a hard time believing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That’s not to say I don’t believe at all that he existed. I only find it hard to believe a man who was sent from God down to Earth sacrificed himself for me, a sinner; a man who struggles with lust, pride, and laziness. And 3 days after his death on the cross, he arose out from a tomb he was supposedly entrapped in to many eye witnesses. There are religions that say he was the messiah, others disagree. Some say he was just a prophet of God. … Thank you so much for your time and effort.”
This young man was remarkably open to the evidence for the resurrection. He received the witness of scripture with enthusiasm and agreed to follow through on the Bible study. He is in discipleship with Chuck Lloyd.
The next is a famous computer scientist professor at a major university in the US. He is an expert in large data models. His wife, a believer, wrote, and then he himself wrote when it was instructed that he would have to make the meeting request himself, to show his own level of interest.
From the wife:
“My husband (____________) and I would like to listen to you speak to us about the resurrection of Jesus. I am a Christian and my husband is not. (He was raised Catholic, but has always struggled with belief.) We are both impressed by your great mind and humility. [My husband] asked me to see if we might schedule a few minutes with you if possible.”
From the husband:
“I listened to several podcasts by Dr. Tour, both on the technology and religious sides.
To answer your question directly, yes, I would like to meet individually with Dr. Tour.
Also, yes, I have to admit that I do not believe in the physical resurrection of Jesus. Even though I grew up in a Christian culture, I remember never being able to believe even as a child.
If the time slot tomorrow is still available, I would like to take advantage of it and meet tomorrow.
Also, I would be very grateful if my wife, ________, could join the meeting.
Thanks again for your availability.”
We met. I began with my testimony, then laid out the evidence for the resurrection. Near the end of the presentation, the professor was weeping as I spoke. His weeping continued all the way to the end. Knowing that computer science professors can be Mr. Spock-like (half-human and half-Vulcan), I was moved by watching the gospel open him up. He said that he had no idea that there was so much evidence for the resurrection of Jesus. He readily prayed and agreed to complete the homework of reading the scriptures for 15 minutes every morning and Bible study for 13 weeks. He is committed to Chuck Lloyd.
The last was a man living in the northeast. He wrote:
“I currently don’t believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but I’m not a militant atheist. I watched a woman die on my street right in front of me two weeks ago, and I have questions about what happens to people when we die? At age 56, can I have a relationship with Jesus and make a start?”
Reminds me of the comment: John 3:4 “Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ ”
Again, this man was very open. He readily responded to the evidence for the resurrection, and on top of that, the Lord was tugging on his heart. When I asked if he would follow through on the homework of daily Bible reading and 13-week discipleship, he replied, “Of course! Yes!” He has been committed to Burt Brink.
Acts 16:13–15 “Paul spoke to a group of women gathered by the riverside in Philippi,” and “...the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul.”
Acts 10:43–48 “Peter proclaimed that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name. While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon those listening.”
God bless,
Dr. James Tour
