April 15, 2026

Dear Friends,

This week, three men prayed with me according to the pattern of Luke 18:13 & Romans 10:9, and one man did not.

The first is an electrical engineer, around 40 years old, who wrote to me, claiming that the “creation myth” is a more “fantastical” explanation than the abiogenesis explanation. Further, how can I, Jim Tour, as a “rational scientific individual,” accept the stories about Jesus’ deity and resurrection?

So we met. He clearly has an analytical mind, and he listened carefully to the evidence without contest. Then he prayed aloud with me in repentance and confession, acknowledging Jesus’ lordship and resurrection. I committed him to Burt Brink for discipleship and to daily reading in the scriptures. Frankly, I was pleasantly surprised by how readily the truth was received by this stoic engineer, but I shall gladly receive the ready gift of his soul for the Lord Jesus.

The second is a custom auto mechanic/classic car restorer. I have never seen a response like this to the Word of God. I shared Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” He immediately replied, “I am not a sinner.” I have seen that many times before. But then I shared Matthew 5:28 “but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” He immediately replied, “Not only am I a sinner, but my neighbor also is a sinner, and every man I know is a sinner!” I agreed. Then I shared Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” He replied, “You mean I don’t have hop through this and hop through that to get God to be pleased with me…? I had the whole thing backwards!” When I read Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,” he could not contain his tears, exclaiming, “How could there be such a beautiful system…?” When I read Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins,” he cried even more, saying, “This is a father speaking. Not judge, jury, or executioner. There’s so much love…!” The whole experience continued like this, and he just fell into the loving arms of the Lord with a boatload of tears. This was a remarkable experience, rivaling many that are detailed in the New Testament. He is in daily reading and Bible study, being arranged by Chuck Lloyd.

The third was a videographer/producer of motorsports, living out of a camper as he follows the circuits around the country, and he’s in his late 30s. He wrote,

“Subject: Struggling with faith.

“I came across your videos on the biology of origin of life along with Stephen Myers while on my own quest for truth. I just watched your suggested bible study video posted in the last 24hrs. As the subject line suggests, I am struggling greatly with faith, and feel as though I have been abandoned, or forsaken, though I don’t fully understand that given my lack of religious upbringing. I used to feel like there was hope and light and now the world feels like a dark veil has permanently turned my life into a nightmare…Without elaborating too much via email, there was some type of upheaval of my life 12yrs ago and I was on the cusp of what felt to be inevitable death/destruction. I was sober. The desperation I felt was at an indescribable level, beyond the surface of reality. It was dire…Ups and downs until now…”

We met. He listened quietly to every word without a single question or comment, and readily prayed with me. I asked, “Will you follow through on the two assignments, daily reading of the scriptures as I taught you, and weekly Bible study for 13 weeks with Chuck Lloyd?” His reply was instant, “100%!” He was absolutely committed to seeing this through in his life.

The remarkable power of God!

The last was my secular Jewish colleague at the university. We had lunch at the faculty club at my invitation, with the expressed intent of sharing the gospel with him. He listened well, though it was clear he was only doing so because of my request, which made it awkward. But I care so much for his soul. He also asked several questions. The scripture texts shocked him at times, but we pressed ahead. We walked back to our building together, and he sent me a sarcastic email afterward:

“Jim thanks for talking to sinful me today. I learned that Jesus appeared as a roommate of yours…and you learned that my office is of the same building, just two levels up, closer to heaven. Take care of yourself; we’ll talk again.”

My reply:

“Dear _____,

“Please consider deeply what I have said. Your eternity depends upon it. I am glad to share the same with you and your wife together if you would like. I care deeply about your eternal souls. Remember, “that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9) There is compelling evidence that he has risen from the dead. And if he has, it behooves us to take notice of his claims. God bless, Jim”

I pray for his soul. I love him much.

Romans 10:1 “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.”

God bless,

Dr. James Tour