I’m writing this blog specifically to honor my Father in Law, John Gillespie. We have just spent the last 2 months in England, and I felt like the Lord asked me to write this.
John is a Man of God in every sense of the word. I have seen him in his family (7 children), in relational struggles, the death of friends, the training of his children, as well as the pulpit.
It’s not uncommon for me to walk up the stairs when we are in England and find John at the top of the stairs, with bible open, contemplating deep in his soul the God who loves him.
He has taught me how to honor and love my wife like Jesus, to discipline my children so that they hope in God, and follow him. To take care of my body as an act of worship to the Lord Jesus. To open my bible and let it awaken my soul, in such a way that lead’s me to love Jesus more.
This father’s day, John Called the men in the crowd to be men of God. It was possibly the most powerful call to Godliness I have heard to men. There is a video of their response attached.
John, and his wonderful wife Tessa, were missionaries in the truest sense of the word to Cornwall, England 20+ years ago, and have truly seen transformation, from the wayward soul returning to the Lord, the provision of abundance of fish when they prayed for the fisherman who could not seem to find any fish. (That catch was so big that the fisherman were all able to pay their mortgages off), and still the transformation of even the young men who were recently hiking and were welcomed in. The one who did not know the Lord soon gave his heart to the Lord after spending time in the Gillespie house.
Thank you John for teaching me what it is to truly follow Jesus in every aspect of your life, and for teaching me the importance of feasting on the word of God. If you ever get a chance to be in Cornwall, make sure to stop by for a cup of tea and a conversation about Jesus with John Gillespie.
