April 29, 2026
Dear Friends,
This week four men and one woman prayed with me according to the pattern of Luke 18:13 & Romans 10:9.
The first is a man from South America who has worked for us on Sundays for about three years. Shireen has served weekly Sunday lunches to about 75 college students in our home for 27 years. Years ago, she and I would set up the folding tables and chairs, and the associated serving stations. Then, as my sons got older, we would do the setup together, and Shireen could focus on cooking. Then, when my sons went to college, Shireen and I had to get some regular help on Sunday. This man has been very faithful for several years. His English is poor. But he’s been working with Ciceron, one of my former students who has helped us in the Sunday kitchen for 13 years. Ciceron gave his life to Jesus 13 years ago in our home while he was a graduate student at Rice. Ciceron has been sharing with this man as they worked together in the kitchen on Sundays. Ciceron approached me and said that this man was ready to hear the gospel. I have a copy of my slides in Spanish/English. And Ciceron was there to translate. So, following last Sunday’s lunch, Ciceron and I shared this with the man. He readily received the word of truth and prayed with us. He is in Bible study now with Ciceron. This man has panic attacks as he worries about his children in South America, and has his application for their coming waiting several years already. We trust his panic attacks will now subside. He sent me an email the next day, which I am sure came from a Spanish-to-English translator:
“Good afternoon, dear and esteemed Doctor Tour! Thank you for this email. It was—and will continue to be—an honor for me to meet with you and Ciceron, especially since I decided to open my heart to our Lord. Starting that very Sunday, I began reading the Epistles of John; indeed, I am able to understand them and find comfort in them. I intend to fulfill the tasks you assigned me, for I wish to become a new man—a man with our Lord in his heart. I have many reasons to strive and move forward—namely, my family—and I wish to share the Word with them as well. Furthermore, once I return to my home country, I would like to dedicate myself to serving others. I am deeply grateful for all your kindness and attention, Doctor Tour. Blessings to you, to Mama Shireen, and to your entire family. Thank you.”
The next is a young female graduate student at Rice. She was invited to the Bible study and Sunday lunch last week by a believing student who regularly attends. He alerted me that she was unsaved. So I sat with her during lunch. With all the visitors, I did not have the opportunity to share the gospel with her, so I invited her to lunch at the faculty club this week. We met and had lunch together as I shared the gospel. After one hour, she was praying the prayer noted above. She is now in Bible study with Lynette Johnson and in the morning scripture reading. Like the man above, she readily responded to the gospel. I knew that she would because she had been open enough to attend the Bible study and to come to our lunch. That was the sign upon which I acted. She sent an email afterward:
“Hi Dr. Tour, Thank you very much for meeting with me and for taking the time to share such thoughtful guidance. I truly appreciate your encouragement and the clear direction you’ve given me for beginning this journey! Thank you as well for sharing the additional resources, including your Bible study, audio materials, and YouTube channel. I will be sure to explore these. Kind regards,___________”
The next is a young man in the Graduate School at Rice University. His parents own a well-known restaurant firm in major cities in the US. Interestingly, he heard Dr. John Lennox mention my name and university while listening to the philosophical podcast of Alex O’Connor in the UK. Dr. Lennox, an Oxford Professor of Mathematics and a dear friend, mentioned my challenge to the online community: namely, to share the evidence for the resurrection with all comers who do not believe. This graduate student at Rice reached out to me after hearing that.
“Hi Dr Tour, I heard about your practice of meeting with people who are skeptical of the resurrection of Jesus. I grew up Christian but find this central question hard to truly believe; currently I identify as agnostic. I’m a current Rice __________ student and would love to meet with you to discuss your belief and views. Sincerely, ______________”
We met in my office, and one hour later he was proclaiming his submission to the Lord Jesus Christ and praying the prayer noted above. He is now in daily scripture reading and weekly Bible study with Mike Jackson.
The next is a college freshman studying engineering and philosophy in the US. He, too, heard about me on the Alex O’Connor podcast through Dr. John Lennox. He wrote:
“Dear Dr. Tour, I recently heard of your name and background through a YouTube conversation between Dr. John Lennox and content creator Alex O’Connor. I am currently a 1st year at the University of ______________, and have taken senior-level courses on the Philosophy of Religion and consciousness. I have been constantly fluctuating between Christianity and Agnosticism throughout my whole life, and philosophy has made me lean considerably heavier toward Agnosticism. I was wondering if you had time in your schedule to have a discussion about your views and why you are a believer in Christ despite modern-day arguments against and for God’s existence. All good things, _________________”
We met on Zoom; I shared the gospel and presented evidence for the resurrection, and he was no longer an agnostic. He prayed the prayer noted above, and he is now in daily Bible reading and weekly Bible study with Burt Brink.
The next is a high school teacher who reached out with a very short word:
“Hello! I am emailing to express interest in the private Zoom call with Dr. Tour to hear his story of faith. Thanks, _____”
When asked about the resurrection, he wrote, “No, I do not believe in it, as much as I want to.”
When I read that last statement, I knew he would get saved. Because “he who seeks shall find,” Jesus said.
He is a stoic man. Hardly any expression from him during the entire time I was sharing. Expressions or not, the gospel is unbound. The stoic man was ready to pray and receive. He agreed to daily Bible reading, slowly and pensively, for the rest of his life. And to the 13-week Bible study with Chuck Lloyd, setting him up with a weekly mentor.
Isaiah 55:11
So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
We must surely succeed with such a great promise concerning His word!
God bless,
Dr. James Tour
