Thursday, October 24: Arrival Day in Mexico City, one of the world’s most spectacular, economical and safe cities for tourist visitors. Check-in with the Bond group at the stunning Gran Hotel Ciudad de México, with its over 20,000 Tiffany-style stained glass pieces lit by sunlight and lighting fixtures, including inside its 125-year-old historic elevators, as used by James Bond on screen—twice—for LICENCE TO KILL and SPECTRE. Thursday evening, meet your fellow Bond fans for drinks overlooking the magnificent Plaza de la Constitución, aka Zocalo Plaza, the grand concourse used for the pre-titles chase in SPECTRE.
Friday: Walk in 007’s footsteps with your guides, M and J, who have hosted more than 100 James Bond authors, actors and filmmakers at their unique BondFanEvents. Our Kite in a Hurricane Tour brings us in person to over two dozen film locations from 2015’s Bond blockbuster, SPECTRE. Hear and see details of the actors and producers, the record-setting stunts and the thousands of local craftsmen and extras, that worked together to build Bond’s biggest-ever opening sequence. Later, join our group visit to the Museo Nacional De Arte as seen in SPECTRE. Friday evening features our Night of the Dead Tour as our group of fans strolls past specially illuminated buildings, including skyscrapers seen in SPECTRE, and miles of flower festival and art installations featuring folk art, huge sugar skulls, fantasy and dragon creatures, and towering catrinas de muerte (themed skeletons and figures).
Saturday comes our Our Mexico City, What Were You Doing There? Tour for more SPECTRE locations, before we take in the Día de los Muertos Parade. This annual spectacular event was inspired by the parade created for SPECTRE, and over one million people will line the streets of the city to view it in person! We’ll watch it all from our comfortable vantage point, with gourmet food and cocktails available, as more than 1,000 participants display elaborate costumes and makeup, and march, dance and play live music alongside themed floats and alebrijes, the giant marionettes seen in SPECTRE. Saturday night, we’ll enjoy the annual Día de Muertos Sound and Light Show, then join revelers in the Zocalo for fireworks and fun.
Sunday: Relax late at our beautiful host lodging, the Gran Hotel, before we depart for the Centro Ceremonial Otomí, surrounded by Otomí-Mexico State Park high on the Cerro La Catedral mountain in Temoaya. This gigantic temple complex became the Olympatec Meditation Institute, Sanchez’s lair in LICENCE TO KILL. Visit the Cultural Museum and shop at the Mercado De Artesanías around our Bless Your Hearts Tourof more than two dozen scenes from LICENCE TO KILL. After we return to Mexico City that evening, shop and dine at the exclusive Pasaje Polanco before our nighttimeChapultapec, Mr. Bond? Tour of more 007 locations, including a fun spot connected to GOLDFINGER.
Monday: Breakfast together at our hotel’s stunning buffet before our Problem Eliminator Tour, “everything for a man on holiday” with its delightful theatres, palaces and museums used for LICENCE TO KILL. From the Gran and El Presidente Hotels to the fictional Banco and Casino de Isthmus, enjoy locations, group photos and fascinating behind-the-scenes stories you’ve not heard elsewhere. Later see the beautiful Palacio de Bellas Artes and shop for local treats, including our visit to Pastelería Ideal, with its hundreds of elaborate Día de los Muertos cakes and its pan de muerto breads filled with azahar, a traditional orange blossom-infusion. Later, dinner beckons at fabulous restaurants used by the cast and crew of the Bond films.
Tuesday: Our Solid Bonds Tour takes us to heroic sculptures, monuments and museums, including many seen in LICENCE TO KILL and SPECTRE. See elaborately decorated ofrendas and traditional dancers for the Día de los Muertos as we visit the Centro Histórico with its gorgeous architecture and fascinating shops. Our final stop explores the city atop the Torre Latinoamerica from SPECTRE, for a look at all our week’s Bond locations from high above downtown.
Wednesday, October 30: Depart for home with all your souvenirs, snacks, hundreds of photos and memories from Bonding With Fans!
MISSION: DOUBLE-O SIETE is $595 U.S. per person for all 7 of our Double-O Seven expert-guided tours, the Dia de los Muertos Parade, ground transportation, Daily Trivia Challenges, games and surprises.
SPECIAL OFFER: Receive a $175 discount for referring one new paid guest (Mexico will be their first of our BondFanEvents) or refer two new guests and attend Mission: Double-O Siete for FREE! Please note: You cannot self-refer for a discount.
IMPORTANT: You are welcome to book a Mexico City hotel on your own or stay with the group at Bond’s hotel for two films, the Gran Hotel de Ciudad de Mexico.
UPDATE: The Gran Hotel de Ciudad is currently sold out in full but BondFanEvents has rooms available for a 7-day/6-night stay, arriving October 24, departing October 30, 2024, for $925 U.S. (per person, double occupancy) or $1850 (single rooms) – email us for our roommate matching service!
Secure your Gran Hotel room with us (or on your own) for October soon, since our event is nearly filled! Tour space is limited!
Which city is twice the size of New York City, with a park twice the size of Central Park where humans were sacrificed, with Popocatepetl Volcano just 40 miles away?
Drum roll please, and mariachi band, for the BondFanEvents October 2023 Mexico City Tour!
Spain’s 300-year presence built churches and palaces there, and the home to 180 museums, more than any other city in the world. A beautiful, clean, European and walkable city.
BondFanEvents scouted Mexico for you in 2018, we all loved it and took most of the photos then you’re seeing now.
Rich in sleek skyscrapers and giant heroic sculptures, Mexico City reminds us of Madrid. And there are lovely skyscrapers like this one from SPECTRE . . .
At 7500 feet in elevation, the weather is mid-70s year-round.
The city is gorgeous.
You’ll see uniformed security and this is one of the world’s safest cities.
We’ll spend much time in the Historic and Business Districts.
We saw this beautiful church shown here behind Daniel Craig and wanted to go inside, but we ran out of time. But our week together will be a longer visit to live the Bond life so you can enjoy not just Bond locations, but this amazing city . . .
Many restaurants offer full menus in English.
We will dine in these restaurants and more, some of which are also Bond locations.
Fine dining costs only about 25% of what it costs in the USA. This was a typical dinner with cocktails, appetizers, entrees and dessert, and was only about $30 per person.
Mexico City is a foodie’s paradise and don’t hesitate, there’s a lot more than Mexican food to enjoy.
Janine and I spent an hour looking around this beautiful bakery . . .
. . . and a diner is across the street from our hotel with all kinds of American and Mexican specialties.
This isn’t the Tex Mex you know. Would you believe the four of us fought over this plate of grasshoppers, fried worms and ant larvae?
Our 2023 lodging is the Gran Hotel de la Ciudad de México, seen in two Bond films.
This hotel has outstanding restaurants and lovely rooms with private balconies.
Our hotel’s brunch overlooks the helicopter plaza fight from SPECTRE.
We arrive Thursday and the food and fun begin.
We’ll tour many SPECTRE and LICENCE TO KILL scene locations.
Friday is SPECTRE locations day.
Friday we dine where Daniel Craig dined and pumpkin soup with pistachio and edible flowers ain’t your granny’s Mexican food.
Friday night we’ll tour the Paseo de la Reforma with its many themed displays and alebrijes, brightly colored fantasy sculptures. Our hotel decorates too and the streets will be electric as you play Bond and dress specially for SPECTRE’s Grand Parade.
You will always remember the Dia de Muertos Parade. Thousands of people participate as hundreds of thousands cheer them on.
We’ll watch the Parade’s finale from the terrace of this stunning restaurant, enjoying gourmet tapas and cocktails for hours.
The streets fill with revelers past Midnight as our group joins the fun.
Outside the city, Sunday will bless our hearts as we see two dozen scenes from Professor Joe’s gigantic temple complex.
We’ll tour Chapultepec Castle.
Then Monday is LICENCE TO KILL locations day in Mexico City itself.
And the whole week features amazing food stops and shopping.
Tuesday’s Bond locations include this cathedral and the breathtaking Palacio del Bellas Artes.
We’ll shop for goodies to bring home and go atop the Torre Latinoamerica to see Bond’s locations from high above beautiful Mexico City before Wednesday and departure day.
Janine and I promise to direct a great tour week, so who is all in at Bond’s table?
Our group enjoyed an astonishingly good time in London in June/July, thanks to the great hospitality of many fine individuals and the London James Bond Studies Conference.
See more at our London page and subscribe for Bond locations tours, events, conferences, galas and more worldwide.
We had a stellar time in Cairo, Egypt, this month, touring two dozen film and novelization locations from The Spy Who Loved Me!
Special happenings included a camel caravan across the Giza plateau and inside the Great Pyramid of Khufu, meals together on the Nile River at our host hotel, a two-hour exploration of the renovating, historic Al Rubaiyat restaurant at Mena House–inspiration for the Max Kalba Club–group trips to Coptic Cairo and the astonishing Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and much more, much Moore!
See more photos from our story and thank you to the friends who attended–who give us wings!
The new, exciting Fleming biography is now in print
The publication of Casino Royale in 1953 introduced James Bond to the world, and both his popularity and scholarly interest in his creator Ian Fleming show little sign of waning. On the contrary, No Time to Die, the last film in which Daniel Craig appears as 007, received its première in 2021 after a delay caused by the COVID pandemic; Steven Gerrard’s anthology From Blofeld to Moneypenny: Gender in James Bond was published in 2020; and Ian Kinane’s study of Fleming, Jamaica, and post-war politics, Ian Fleming and the Politics of Ambivalence, followed soon thereafter in 2021. Oliver Buckton’s The World Is Not Enough: A Biography of Ian Fleming thus hardly constitutes the exhumation of a cultural skeleton from the Cold War; rather, it provides a nuanced reading of Fleming (and Bond) in which fans and scholars alike will take great interest.
My use of the phrase “nuanced reading” is intended to emphasize the acuity of Buckton’s thesis about the text of Ian Fleming’s life and its influence on his writing. To be sure, the most accomplished biographical writing offers more than an inventory of facts, typically by probing its subject’s motives and assessing their larger implications: Why this decision or action? What were the consequences? Such interpretive work, however, is frequently overshadowed by the myriad details that comprise fascinating lives like Fleming’s, but not so with The World Is Not Enough, in which Buckton develops a close or, more consistent with contemporary critical vocabulary, symptomatic reading of Fleming’s early and young adult years. His argument thus expands the reach of previous biographies by outlining in considerable detail the importance of these years in understanding not only Fleming’s subjective life, but also those of his characters, including 007 and so-called “Bond girls” and women.
Buckton’s reading begins with Fleming’s enrollment at Durnford Preparatory School on the Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, where he was enrolled in 1916 as an eight-year-old, and privileges in particular his years at a private school in Kitzbühel, Austria, where in 1927 Fleming’s mother Eve sent her “errant” nineteen-year-old son to refine his language skills (35). Between these two matriculations, Fleming’s academic record was uneven at best. As he followed his older brother Peter to Eton in 1921 and achieved considerable athletic success there, it also became clear that his “sibling rivalry with Peter was one that he had no hope of winning” (29). Peter, the “golden boy” for whom teachers formerly reserved their highest praise, was a brilliant student heading for Oxford (33); Ian was not, leaving Eton early and resigning his cadetship after barely a year at the Royal Sandhurst Military Academy. Worried about her son’s prospects, Eve Fleming enrolled him in a private school in Kitzbühel where, under the tutelage of writer Phyllis Bottome and her husband Ernan Forbes Dennis, Ian could prepare to pass the examination required of candidates applying to the Foreign Office. Unfortunately, even after further study at the University of Geneva, his performance on the exam in 1931 was not impressive enough to win a position.
At Kitzbühel, as previous biographies have described, Ian benefited from mentorship influenced by the theories of Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler. As Peter Gay explains in Freud: A Life for Our Time (1989), Adler, along with Freud, Otto Rank, Wilhelm Stekel, and others, was an active member of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society until 1911 when his theoretical disagreements with Freud devolved into personal animosity. In Freud’s view, Adler advocated a “world system without love,” ignoring the “insulted goddess Libido” and discounting the pleasure principle so central to his theory (Gay 221). More important for Buckton’s purposes, Adler’s explanation of human subjectivity emphasizes an individual’s formulation of a “life plan,” and Fleming’s was both exceedingly ambitious—epitomized by “The World Is Not Enough,” an aphorism that resurfaces as the Bond family motto in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1963)—and compensatory, a counterbalance to his many “disappointments” (33). Buckton traces the plan’s preliminaries to Durnford, which has been frequently depicted as a Dickensian prison house of gruel, intimidation, and corporal punishment.
For Buckton, however, Durnford also proved “an ideal launch pad for this overcompensation characterized by a quest for superiority and striving for dominance and power” (33). Bond’s “fierce ambition for success” thus reflects Fleming’s own aspirations. The development of this reading distinguishes The World Is Not Enough from such studies as Ben Macintyre’s For Your Eyes Only—Ian Fleming + James Bond (2008). More an excursus of Bond as a cultural phenomenon than a biography, Macintyre’s book provides an abbreviated review of Fleming’s formative years, unlike, say, Andrew Lycett’s Ian Fleming: The Man Behind James Bond (1995), which lavishes attention on Fleming’s family life, including a précis of Adler’s revolutionary theories. Buckton, though, engages Adlerian concepts—a child’s “order of birth,” sibling rivalry, inferiority complex, and compensation. Of particular interpretive value is the gegenspieler, a familial rival with whom a child contends for parental affection and praise. Equally important, in Kitzbühl, Fleming was much admired by local girls and, while “playing the field or sowing wild oats,” he fell in love with the daughter of a local Swiss landowner to whom he became engaged (47).
But both his mother’s role in quashing the engagement and Peter’s rising prominence, including his bestselling travel account Brazilian Adventure (1933), further motivated Ian’s plan to invent a “fictional, idealized ‘superman’ version of himself” (49). At the risk of digression, I might add that an Adlerian perspective also proves useful in decoding the complexities of one of Fleming’s most avid readers, President John F. Kennedy. In An Unfinished Life (2003), Robert Dallek describes “Jack’s” rivalry with his older brother Joe, a star-athlete in their schooldays.
Younger brothers like Ian and Jack learn to compete early in life. In chapters on the 1930s and Fleming’s work as a Lieutenant Commander in Naval Intelligence in the 40s, Buckton adds texture to his thesis, also outlining ways in which wartime operations inform the Bond novels. The 1930s for Fleming were both exciting and disappointing, including the end of any possibility of a diplomatic career and, conversely, a successful stint as a correspondent for Reuters in Moscow and Berlin. Dissatisfied with the money a journalist earns, Ian declined Reuters’ offer to move to Shanghai and instead found employment at a bank. In 1935, he joined the brokerage firm of Rowe & Pittman, and soon thereafter the “ties between high finance and secret intelligence were strengthened” when a former official during World War I was hired by one of his firm’s competitors (74). As a consequence of his expanding network of contacts, and because Fleming may have been, as he was once disparaged, “the world’s worst stockbroker” (qtd. in Buckton 75), another professional opportunity emerged with the potential to improve his “rather aimless, desultory course in life” (86). In May of 1939, he was invited to a luncheon interview with the director of Naval Intelligence, Admiral John Godfrey, to serve as his assistant (86). This meeting facilitated entrance into an entirely new world and marked both “the turning point of his career and one of the decisive experiences that led to the creation of James Bond after the war” (88). The centrality of this meeting in Buckton’s argument also shapes the book’s narrative, as in the Prologue he presents a fictional version of the 1939 job interview complete with “speculative dialogue” (xi). The Prologue is, in effect, a one-act play with skillfully drawn descriptions of the faded “glamor” of the Carlton Hotel Grill where the scene takes place, of the Admiral’s “carefully pressed” uniform, and of Fleming’s unorthodox preferences in martinis—Russian vodka and not gin, a slice of lemon peel, and, of course, instructions that the concoction be shaken not stirred. (Like the rest of the book, this playlet originates in careful research, much of which was conducted in the Fleming Archive at Indiana University’s Lilly Library.) At the same time, the Prologue Book Reviews 136 anticipates Buckton’s later assertions about Fleming and Bond, particularly its last line when, returning from his meeting, Fleming tells his then girlfriend Muriel Wright that he got the job. After suggesting that Eve Fleming will be “so proud of him” when she hears the news, Ian responds that he was thinking more about his father killed in action in World War One: “Now I can make peace with him. You see, this is the first time I’ve ever felt worthy to be called his son” (9). Consistent with this feeling of inferiority, the chapters that follow emphasize Fleming’s role during the war and the creation of Bond as instances of compensation. Both Ian and his brother Peter’s distinguished service in military intelligence indicates their “shared desire to live up to the example of their father, Valentine” (82), in many ways an impossible goal. Moreover, because Ian’s work “excluded him from the heat of the action,” a fact that greatly “disappointed” him, he made certain that his “fictional alter ego” was constantly in the thick of it (101). In this and other ways, Bond counters Ian’s “removal from the battlefield” and “protection” from the dangers of war (110). And, more generally, as was evident in Fleming’s nostalgic return to Kitzbühel in 1961, his “fiction was a way to compensate for the shortcomings, disappointments, and failures” of life (51). This is especially true of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, which is partially set in the Swiss Alps, the site of the “broken engagement” that darkened and complicated his interior life (41). The post-war years provided several new opportunities and motives for Fleming to produce the novels and stories that made him and James Bond household names. He was afforded the time to write, having negotiated a position with the Kemsley Group and The Sunday Times that included an annual two-month winter holiday in Jamaica at Goldeneye, where he had built a home. Each year between 1952 and 1964, the year of his fatal heart attack, he completed a new Bond novel beginning with Casino Royale. And, although on occasion international crises after the war furnished sensational events for Fleming to weave into his plots—the defection of the “Cambridge Spies” to Russia, for example—other, more personal factors contributed to his first novel’s creation. One was Peter’s publication of the spy novel The Sixth Column in 1951, but there were others. In The Life of Ian Fleming (1966), John Pearson, while recognizing that Fleming had been preparing for years for life as a novelist, describes the process of his writing as “therapy” to ward off a “mid-life crisis” prompted by such factors as an unhappy marriage, impecuniosity, and impending fatherhood. As Pearson speculates, writing novels afforded Fleming an escape into an exciting world quite different from the one in which he struggled. South Atlantic Review 137 Buckton, widely read in British spy fiction, expertly maps this “other world,” one such novelists as Dennis Wheatley and Eric Ambler helped to create and Fleming revised. Later chapters of The World Is Not Enough explore this world, supplying careful readings of Casino Royale, You Only Live Twice (1964), and others. Here Buckton demonstrates the interpretive yield of reading elements of Fleming’s fiction— his rendering of the flora and fauna of Jamaica in Dr. No (1958), or his creation of complex female characters—through his biography. Buckton’s later chapter on “Fleming’s Women, ‘Bond Girls’” is thus of special interest, replacing the common assumption that Bond frequently serves as a “mouthpiece for Ian’s own misogyny” (244), with an insistence on returning to Fleming’s “early years and the formative influence of his mother” (251). But there is more to be said about this important chapter than I can relate here. The chapter ends, appropriately enough, with another woman in Bond’s life who clearly is not a “Bond girl”—Tracy di Vincenzo, all too briefly Tracy Bond, who is murdered in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service—and who serves as an avatar of Muriel Wright, a woman Fleming loved who was tragically killed during the bombing of London in 1944.
I hope these remarks suggest that Oliver Buckton’s The World Is Not Enough: A Biography of Ian Fleming accomplishes much more than its subtitle promises. This book is, of course, a fine biography and provides an incisive perspective of Ian Fleming’s life. But Buckton also utilizes the facts of this intriguing life to read the surfaces of Fleming’s fiction (and, in some cases, their filmic adaptations) as symptoms of much more complex psychical realities.
Stephen Watt
Stephen Watt is Provost Professor Emeritus of English at Indiana University Bloomington. His recent books include Bernard Shaw’s Fiction, Material Psychology and Affect: Shaw, Freud, Simmel (2018), “Something Dreadful and Grand”: American Literature and the Irish-Jewish Unconscious (2015), and Beckett and Contemporary Irish Writing (2009). His volume The Worlds of John Wick, co-edited with Caitlin G. Watt, is forthcoming in 2022 from Indiana University Press. Email: watt@indiana.edu.
We had major fun in October 2021! Join us for future cruises and events!
Nothing like a hot meal in New OrleansWe start to settle in at our private New Orleans showing of No Time to DieSpearing Vargas at Love Beach, The BahamasCarnival Cruise Casino CosplayKen assaults Atlantis on Paradise IslandBimini was a port of call for 007A windy morning atop the pretitles house from Never Say Never AgainA light bite at seaCasino night is always popularNOLA nighttime Live and Let Die tourBat cave with James Bond, from Thunderball
Our ALL TIME HIGH ADVENTURE in September 2021 was a very special tour for just a dozen lucky James Bond fans (click on a photo to see it enlarged):
Where Bond dangled OctopussyMan leaps from Arizona to Nevada!Another film locationMarina from DIAMONDS ARE FOREVERElvis sightingMusic and dance on The Strip!Omega men and womenWillard Whyte’s HouseWe’re an All TIME HighPatricia Gill, Shady Tree’s Acorn, really, a gift from Willard Whyte, upstairs playing Monopoly with real buildings, we tried to find himA view from Skyfall LoungeWint and Kidd ignore Bond and Shady TreeThey’re walking their pet ratFord. Tom Ford.Adventure? It was an All Time High.
James Bond Fan Events and friends have posted unique auction items at Heritage Auctions this month, including rare props and posters. Enjoy!
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IST/Bond Collectors Weekends “OOSailin Cruise” has returned in triumph from:
*Jamaica, and VILLA GOLDENEYE to sit at Mr. Fleming’s writing desk and to sip rum our concierge offered, as we celebrated Bond’s 60th Anniversary in print
*Miami, to explore 60 Bond vehicles from all 23 films with the DEZER BOND MUSEUM’s curator, and to visit the Doug Redenius OO7 Memorabilia Collection in person
*The Bahamas, to nurse Vespers at CASINO ROYALE’s One & Only Ocean Club and dip our toes in Emilio Largo’s Shark Pool from THUNDERBALL
*The Turks and Caicos to beachcomb and unwind from visiting 35 more Bond film and book locations (including touring the GOLDFINGER Car Crush Plant with its owner, spearing Vargas at THUNDERBALL’s Love Beach, visiting Jill Masterson’s and Bond’s rooms at THE FONTAINEBLEAU and dozens of other film and book locations)
One kind fan wrote, “Matt, thanks again from the bottom of my heart for a great, fantastic trip. You delivered far more than promised.”
**
Yes, the OOSailin fans adored our four locations tours and our bonus visit to climb Dunn’s River Falls from DR. NO. And aboard the new Carnival Breeze, they loved to shop and to attend dance, music and comedy shows, watch Bond movies and trade props and collectibles, play casino games and chat until the wee hours over smokes and drinks on the top deck.
Hours of Bond trivia challenges were also provided at sea and we watched 4D action movies, climbed a ropes course and enjoyed the Breeze’s saunas and hot tubs, swimming pools, jogging track and two billiards tables.
To be honest, despite the fact that all the BONDLIST cruisers, even first timers, said they’d sail again with me, by the last evening I’d lost my appetite. So for dinner with the group I settled reluctantly on Maryland Crab Cake, Frog Legs in Butter and the Chilled Mango Ginger Soup. Oh, and also Mac & Cheese with Bacon followed by a thick wedge of Cappuccino Pie. As one fan said, “Don’t everyone fill up on prime rib before our (second) lobster tail!”
It’s true, OO7, dining on the ship wearied us all. At one luncheon, I wondered whether The Breeze wanted “a clean kill or to send a message” as I counted 14 lunch locations aboard including Mexican, Italian and a Mongolian Grill all made to order, and Indian, BBQ, a deli, a pizzeria, and a Chocolate Decadence Buffet, each of the 14 offering different menus and unlimited dining free of cost.
Discipline, OO7, discipline! We paced ourselves all week. After all, breakfast and lunch were often followed by Afternoon Tea then The Appetizer Taste Bar and of course, five-course dinners, sitting as a group together and unwinding or tackling trivia challenges. Somehow we managed to roll away from dinner when Moneypenny invited us for late night snacks and a nightcap to watch movies under the stars, seen from the comfort of our loungers or even the swimming pool.
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One friend said it best. “The Breeze cruise and the BONDLIST group were amazing. I visited three foreign countries and Goldeneye, Largo’s House and the One & Only Club in the same week! Now we can all die happy at sea, our method of execution being fine dining!”
**
On returning again to Miami, I sadly missed our overseas adventures. My heart was at home but my behind was seated at Mr. Fleming’s desk in his $7,500 a night villa. Eggs Benedict and a Belgian Waffle topped with Strawberry Relish, Nutella and Pine Nuts, however, eaten 100 feet above South Beach on the Breeze’s Lido Deck eased my grieving process.
Overindulgence and the soft life. Now it’s Shrublands, I’m afraid, for daily herbal enemas and nightly rubdowns with Patricia. The things I do for England!
Want to see Bond’s world in person next time? Another Bond fan wrote yesterday, “Another successful mission, Matt, you made us all happy. Bucket Lists for all, a big thanks for all your effort and work, dreams do come through thanks to you.”
Rumor has it from Washington, DC that the next BONDLIST event will be held there, centered on CIA and The International Spy Museum. I’m also ready (after exercise and a crash diet) for another Caribbean cruise to see locations and Ian Fleming’s villa. How about you?
M, one of the world’s top Bond experts, draws from a lifetime of James Bond knowledge and intimate friendships with many of the Bond cast and crew. Enjoy his playful patter about Bond’s games, insider stories and games between the games. Let’s play!
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Youthful singer Billie Eilish has apparently been tapped to write and perform the No Time To Die theme song.
While the choice seems counter-intuitive (the singer with the smallest amount of vocal power/volume in pop, rather than a diva who can belt words like “Gold-fingaaaaaaaaaaa…”) we will wait and see, after all, Spectre’s and Skyfall’s themes were pleasers that the the general public and critics equally enjoyed.
“The Eye That Never Sleeps” is more than a chapter designation in Ian Fleming’s novel, “Diamonds Are Forever”. It is an expression we coin at 007Forever to refer to the watchful eyes of line producers, directors, script editors, etc. who are vigilant to check on their films in progress for “bad matches,” moments when movie continuity or logic goes awry.
It stands as a great testimony to the staff of EON Productions these last 35-plus years that the Bond films are as outstanding as they are, with few goofs, though fanatics who have seen the movie 97 times always manage to catch something…
If you see bugaboos not reported here send them along to us online.
Cheers and happy viewing!
LIVE AND LET DIE
-it takes place the year after *Casino Royale*, yet in Chapter 2, Bond wonders, “Who controlled it [SMERSH] now that Beria was gone?”, suggesting that the story is set in 1954.
MOONRAKER
-Chapters 22 and 25 imply that it`s set in 1954, even though it occurs shortly after “Live And Let Die”, which took place in 1952 (the chapters mention, respectively, the Coronation, and Malenkov being none-too-firmly in the saddle over in Russia). (See the similar note under “From Russia, With Love”. The dating in the early novels is extremely poor).
CASINO ROYALE
… says that Bond`s Bentley was purchased almost new in 1933 (Live And Let Die says that it`s a 1933 model), yet “Moonraker” claims that it`s from 1930 (Chapter 1).
FROM RUSSIA, WITH LOVE
-Chapter 19: “But Bond had never killed in cold blood[.]” This seemingly contradicts how Bond got his double-0 number.
-The novel seems to take place in 1955, yet Chapter 11 gives the date Thursday August 12th. Thursday August 12th occurred in 1954. Bonus points for those who want to sound smart: Fleming might have looked at the 1956 calendar – the year he wrote the book – saw that August 12th was a Friday and accordingly backdated it by one day, forgetting that 1956 was a leap year (leap years are also always US Presidential election years). If you subtract the same amount of days that separate two years – go double days for leap years – you`ll know when in the week a particular date occurred (i.e. Friday August 12th, 1955; Thursday August 12th, 1954; Wednesday August 12th, 1953, etc; since 1956 is a leap year, August 12th falls on Sunday, not Saturday).
-Chapter 6 claims that Moonraker took place in 1952, when in fact it took place in 1954 (however, see similar note under “Moonraker”).
THE SPY WHO LOVED ME
-Bond`s facial scar is on the right side, not the left side as Vivienne Michel notes (Chapter 10).
YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE
-Tiger Tanaka claims in Chapter 11 that Sumo wrestlers can make their testicles re-enter the inguinal canal in order to avoid injury. Other sources dispute this. The only organisms known to do this are shrews, and hedgehogs.
-“Moonraker” suggests that Bond was born in 1916, yet “You Only Live Twice” says 1924 (Chapter 21).
-Chapter 21 claims that Bond won his CMG in 1954, when “From Russia, With Love” (Chapter 6) says 1953. Mind you, both these dates are wrong if “Moonraker” occurred in 1952.
THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
-Though this story was officially published before the short story “The Property Of A Lady”, we`ll count this book as carrying the error. The double agent was Maria Freudenstein, not Freudenstadt (Chapter 1).
-Mary Goodnight had blue-black hair in “On Her Majesty`s Secret Service”. Now she`s blonde.
-From Chapter 16: “The two men had never shaken hands in their lives.” Not true. Bond and Leiter shake hands in “Live And Let Die”, Chapter 1: “The tall, thin young man came forward with a wise grin, his hand outstretched, to where Bond stood rooted with astonishment. “Felix Leiter! What the hell are you doing here?” Bond grasped the hard hand and shook it warmly.”
JAMES BOND – THE AUTHORIZED BIOGRAPHY
-Chapter 15 claims that Vivienne Michel (from Fleming`s “The Spy Who Loved Me” ran a motel outside of Toronto. Not only did she not “run” a motel, but the motel itself was in the Adirondacks in upstate New York.
-Pearson gets the Moonraker plot synopsis wrong. It was not about “holding London to ransom – either the British Government would give in, or the Moonraker, complete with atomic warhead, would be fired directly at the heart of London.” (Chapter 11)
-Chapter 2 contradicts birth dates implied in Fleming`s “Moonraker” (1916) and given in “You Only Live Twice” (1924). Pearson claims 1920 (Chapter 22).
-Pearson gives him an older brother (Chapter 2), even though Fleming`s “You Only Live Twice” claims that Bond had no known surviving family (Chapter 21).
-Moreover he claims that Bond`s older brother`s name is Henry (Chapter 2). RD Mascott`s “The Adventures Of James Bond Junior – 003 1/” claims it`s David.
-Pearson says that there are only “13” Bond books, though by this time there had been 12 Fleming novels, two collections of short stories and the Amis novel (Chapter 1)
-“From Russia, With Love” was 9th on John F Kennedy`s list, after “Byron in Italy” by Ann Fleming`s friend Peter Quennell, and just beating out Stendhal`s “Scarlet and Black”. Not 6th after “Charterhouse of Parma” (Chapter 14). (I`d like to think for Pearson`s sake that he made this error on purpose.)
-Blofeld shot Tracy, not Bunt (Chapter 15).
The Bond he met is not the Bond that Fleming wrote about. Flemings Bond is described more than once as being six feet tall with blue eyes, with a scar down the right cheek. The person Pearson “met” is described as being six foot two inches tall, grey blue eyes, and a scar down the left cheek. ( If you think about it – this person sounds more like Lord Greystoke than James Bond.)
– It is mentioned that Bond went to Geneva University, which he did not. The year is all wrong and not in keeping with what Fleming wrote in You Only Live Twice`s obituary. The reference to the University comes from a passage in From Russia With Love .when Bond remembers mountain climbing at age seventeen “with friends from the Univeristy of Geneva”. That doesn`t mean he went to the University, only that his friends did. Also note that this same reference implies that Bond did not have his scar at age seventeen;something that Pearson has Bond getting at sixteen in an auto accident.
– Pearson really screws up on when the action occurs in some of the books. Including: Casino Royale. Happened in May to June of 1951 (chapter 2); Pearson has it occurring in July of 1951. Live and Let Die: Happens in January, 1952 (chapter 1) Pearson has it happening in November, 1951. Moonraker – happens in May, 1952 ( click here for my reasoning on this date ) which means the 1952 reference in FRWL IS NOT a continuity error! According to Pearson, this was a fictional story dreamed up by Fleming, (Sorry, you buy one story, you buy them all.)
– TSWLM is moved from upstate New York in mid October by Pearson to “that Christmas” and “a motel she ran outside Toronto”. Another geographic switch is OHMSS, where Blofeld is holed up in Piz Gloria above Pontresina, in south eastern Switzerland. Pearson places Blofelds` “mountain hideaway above Geneva” which is about as far southwestern Switzerland as you can get. In YOLT, Pearson has Blofelds` Castle near Kyoto. Fleming has it “in Kyushu, our southern island”.
– A minor note – Pearson states that Bonds` son is “ten,now”. This was written in 1973, which meant that Bonds` son was born in 1963. He must have been born very late in the year, then, since Kissy did not even know she was expecting until April of that year. And if he was born late in the year, then he would still only be nine when the interview with Bond takes place ……..
Mis – “namers”:
In chapter six, Pearson is introduced to “Mrs Schultz” the former “Honeychile Ryder” . Two things: If we take what Fleming wrote in “The Man With The Golden Gun” as true, Honeychiles` married name is “Wilder”, not Schultz, and the Honeychile that Bond adventured with in Dr. No was Honeychile RIDER, not Ryder. Also in chapter eight, Pearson mentions that Bonds weapon of choice in the early days was a .38 Beretta. It was a .25 Beretta until Dr. No.
It`s Auric Goldfinger that is the man who loves gold, not ARNO. (chapt. 14 ). Pearson also states in chapt 10., after the events of “LALD” but before the events of “Dr. No.” that M., angry at Bond and considering taking off the Double O list, tells Bond that “Strangeways needs to be replaced”. Why? The man is alive and well in Jamacia at the time! He also confuses which Station belongs where. I shall not go into detail. But Station C. is the Carribean, not Station K.—Walter VonTagen
JAMES BOND, THE SPY WHO LOVED ME (novelization)
-Chapter 19 ends when Sigmund Stromberg says “I want to destroy the world.” and Chapter 20 begins with Anya saying, “Create a new world?”. Text might have been removed or it may have just been written this way, but regardless, it`s a clumsy transition and essentially a continuity error.
FOR SPECIAL SERVICES
-In Chapter 5, Cedar says that Bismaquer`s estate is 15,000 square miles, then, two paragraphs later, says it`s 150 square miles (UK edition only).
NEVER SEND FLOWERS
-In Chapter 8, when Flicka stays over for the night, “For the first time, a woman slept in the apartment[.]” Not true. Tiffany Case from “Diamonds Are Forever” lived with him. This is mentioned in both “From Russia, With Love”, and “James Bond – The Authorized Biography”.
SEAFIRE
In chapter 3 the villain is introduced as `Maxwell Tarn`. By chapter 13, his name`s changed to Maximilian. (John Gardner also calls The Man From Barbarossa`s Pete Natkowitz `Steve` and has Honey Rider`s surname as `Ryder`.) Getting names from other books wrong is careless, but getting the name wrong in the same book…? R. Dobson contributed to this report.
COLD FALL
-In Chapter 13, Bond remembers a girl covered from head to toe in gold paint, but I don`t believe that he saw this in the book “Goldfinger”, just the film. Bond didn`t see the bullets ripping into Tracy in the book “OHMSS” either. (How did Glidrose let these errors through?)
-Gardner also contradicts himself: in Chapter 5, Luigi threatens divorce or something worse, yet in Chapter 10, Eddie Rhabb says that Luigi could care less about Guilliana`s infidelities.
-M supposedly has a thing about bad language, after Bond says “bloody”, yet in “Never Send Flowers”, Bond says “balls” to M.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
-it contradicts information given in “James Bond – The Authorized Biography” about Irma Bunt. “A report claiming that the woman had been seen in Australia received some attention shortly after the Japanese affair, but this information proved to have been false.” Bunt had already given the Australian government an ultimatum otherwise her genetically advanced rats would wreak havoc. Moreover “shortly” seems to be an understatement since a decade has passed (mind you, trying to reconcile time in the series is a no-win situation).
ZERO MINUS TEN
-Moneypenny`s eyes are brown, not blue (Chapter 3).
TOMORROW NEVER DIES (novelization)
-In Chapter 10, “He [Bond] imagined that he would feel the same way about space-walking.” Since the novelization reconciles Bond`s Cambridge claim from the film “You Only Live Twice” (yet ignores the one in the film “The Spy Who Loved Me”), this counts as a genuine continuity error: Bond has walked in space (in both the film “Moonraker” and Christopher Wood`s novelization.)
THE FACTS OF DEATH
-When discussing May (Chapter 2): “The way she pronounced the word “Sir” came out as “Suh”. Apart from Bond she would never call anyone else “Sir” except for royalty and men of the cloth.” Actually, according to “From Russia, With Love”: “To Bond, one of May`s endearing qualities was that she would call no man “sir” except – Bond had teased her about it years before – English kings and Winston Churchill. As a mark of exceptional regard, she accorded Bond an occasional hint of an “s” at the end of a word.”
Benson makes a minor error – he brought a character back from the dead! It is mentioned that Station G. was stillrun by Stuart Thomas – who, in the last chapter of “Colonel Sun” was given up for dead by M.! (I asked Benson about this and he said “Well, that`s what I get for not re-reading “Colonel Sun” all the way through and not just part-way! I knew about Stuart Thomas being head of the station there, but didn`t know he met his demise… or forgot, rather. Oh well.” ) Of course, the argument could be made that being an ex – 00 agent gave him the training to survive almost anything! : )–Walter Von Tagen
Fleming was credited with the novel, though some readers, when the book was originally published – and others since then – have become strongly suspicious that Fleming didn`t write it, or at least wasn`t responsible for the published version. From “Ian Fleming: The Man With The Golden Pen” (by Eleanor and Dennis Pelrine):
Lynn: “The Man With The Golden Gun” wasn`t written by him. When he died, there was an announcement that he had outlined the plot of a story. A few months later he had almost finished it, and still later “He had completed it.”
Yet Andrew Lycett`s Fleming biography (“Ian Fleming: The Man Behind The James Bond”) stresses that the book had been completed and that at least one other person had read the completed manuscript (Fleming`s editor, the distinguished author and poet William Plomer); though it also says that Fleming was dissatisfied with the manuscript and wanted to rewrite it. So who and what to believe?
Fleming was in poor health, both physically and emotionally (see Andrew Lycett`s biography for specifics). Yet, arguably, “The Man With The Golden Gun” was Fleming`s best written, tautest novel.
Fleming`s prose was usually fuzzy. He overwrote. “The Man With The Golden Gun`s” writing is sharp. Fleming was arguably poor at beginnings: compare OHMSS`s bloated and overwritten beginning with “The Man With The Golden Gun`s” taut opening. The writing here is much cleaner and more efficient than in any of Fleming`s other novels. `Gun` moves at lightning pace, prose as taut as Bond`s reflexes. There`s also much more humour – which should have been a tip-off – especially in the beginning: we`re led to believe that the steak-and-kidney pudding detail ultimately convinces the British that Bond is who he says he is.
Fleming`s own writing style did seem to have been undergone something of a transition, but I`m not sure that the differences can be easily explained this way. “You Only Live Twice” (the middle fifth of which features some of Fleming`s best writing and is wonderful) is much better written than the previous novel OHMSS. Bond, of course, in “You Only Live Twice” is more like Sean Connery. Was “The Man With The Golden Gun” a step further in that direction? Namely, a fluid, tauter writing style? However, Fleming`s incomplete short story “Zographos”, started shortly before he died, disputes this:
…”It was like this, Mr Bond.” Zographos had a precise way of speaking with the thin tips of his lips while his half-hard half-soft Greek eyes measured the reaction of his words on the listener… “The Russians are chess players. They are mathematicians. Cold machines. But they are also mad. The mad ones forsake the chess and the mathematics and become gamblers. Now, Mr Bond.” Zographos laid a hand on Bond`s sleeve and quickly withdrew it because he knew Englishmen, just as he knew the characteristics of every race, every race with money, in the world. “There are two gamblers… the man who lays the odds and the man who accepts them. The bookmaker and the punter. The casino and, if you like” – Mr Zographos`s smile was sly with the “shared secret” and proud with the right word – “The suckers.”
The writing style also changes, rather suspiciously, throughout “The Man With The Golden Gun”:
A cleaner ambled in and, with the exquisite languor of such people throughout the Caribbean, proceeded to sweep very small bits of rubbish hither and thither, occasionally dipping a boneless hand into a bucket to sprinkle water over the dusty cement floor. Through the slatted jalousies a small breeze, reeking of the mangrove swamps, briefly stirred the dead air and then was gone. There were only two other passengers in the “lounge”, Cubans perhaps, with jippa-jappa luggage. A man and a woman. They sat close together against the opposite wall and stared fixedly at James Bond, adding minutely to the oppression of the atmosphere.” [Chapter 4]
Compare this to:
The cars began rolling up. Scaramanga was in evidence. He switched a careful smile of welcome on and off. No hands were shaken. The host was greeted either as “Pistol” or “Mr S” except by Mr Hendriks, who called him nothing. [Chapter 8]
Some passages sound exactly like Fleming:
Bond rose carefully. He could hardly believe it! Leiter must have been riding on the buffers behind the brake van. He wouldn`t have been able to show himself earlier for fear of Bond`s gunfire. Yes! There he was! His fair hair tousled by the wind, a long-barrelled pistol using his upraised steel hook as a rest, standing astride the now supine body of Scaramanga beside the brake wheel. Bond`s shoulder had begun to hurt like hell. He shouted, with the anger of tremendous relief[.]” [Chapter 14]
Also from the same chapter:
“Next to him, and behind him, the three gangsters gazed up at James Bond with whipped eyes. They hadn`t expected all this. This was to have been a holiday. The calypso shirts said so. Mr Scaramanga, the undefeated, the undefeatable, had said so. Until minutes before, his golden gun had backed up his world. Now, suddenly, everything was different. As the Arabs say when a great sheik has gone, has removed his protection, “Now there is no more shade! They were covered with guns from the front and the rear. The train stretched out its iron stride towards nowhere they had ever heard of before. The whistle moaned. The sun beat down. The dreadful stink of The Great Morass assailed their nostrils. This was abroad. This was bad news, really bad. The Tour Director had left them to fend for themselves. Two of them had been killed. Even their guns were gone. The tough faces, as white moons, gazed in supplication up at Bond. Louie Paradise`s voice was cracked and dry with terror. “A million bucks, Mister, if you get us out of this. Swear on my mother. A million.”
Fleming must have written these sections: they`re overwritten (compare them to the book`s first several paragraphs).
Just as many sections don`t sound like Fleming. Many agree that the Chapter 11 scene where Scaramanga confronts Bond and Mary Goodnight sounds nothing like Fleming (and is extremely jarring):
“Unless, that is, you were screwin` her.” He raised one eyebrow. “I was. Anything wrong with that? What have you been doing with the Chinese girl? Playing mahjongg?”
The strange dialogue, even Bond`s persona which is so different, bolsters the argument that somebody else wrote parts.
So who?
Kingsley Amis reportedly did some editorial work on the manuscript (though I`m not as sure it`s as much as some claim – he was only paid 36 Pounds, 15s for it), and parts do sound like him:
“James Bond frowned. He didn`t know that he had frowned and he wouldn`t have been able to explain why he had done so.” (Chapter 1)
Or,
The first law for a secret agent is to get his geography right, his means of access and exit, and assure his communications with the outside world. James Bond was uncomfortably aware of that, for the past hour, he had been driving into limbo and that his nearest contact was a girl in a brothel thirty miles away. The situation was not reassuring.”
(Chapter 7) Fleming`s Goldeneye maid Violet claimed that Fleming`s Jamaican friend, politician and journalist Morris Cargill wrote it (Fleming gave him an off-page cameo in Doctor No; he also appears as a judge in “The Man With The Golden Gun”). Compare Cargill`s writing style:
“Here again, an answer seems necessary to avoid misunderstandings, for the white or light-coloured Jamaican is often unwittingly provoked by the visitor who asks him whether the “natives” are restless, as if he were a kind of Englishman abroad, carrying the white man`s burden with stiff upper lip while holding down the “natives” with a firm hand. […] While the peasant woman in Jamaica is not in the least hesitant about having sexual intercourse with a man who attracts her, she believes strongly that these affairs should be conducted in privacy and with due regard to modesty. To her, there is something both indecent and unnecessary about the flaunting of a rather phoney sexuality such as one sees in so many motion pictures, or in American quasi-pornographic magazines, or in the parks of London. Sex, to her, is something to be enjoyed, not to be dangled around in public. She is, in fact, convinced that foreign women are immodest and rather indecent, and her visits to the motion pictures give her a strange idea of the habits of foreign white men. She can hardly be blamed. […] Jamaicans are not shocked at the need for these alliances. They are merely shocked at the need for such elaborate, flimsy and, to them, unnecessary pretences. it is the fuss that foreigners make about their sex that defeats the Jamaican.” [“A Preliminary Canter”, “Ian Fleming Introduces Jamaica”]
Notice also that Cargill has a sense of humour which Fleming generally lacked.
Fleming`s brother Peter`s writing style is also suspiciously close to many of the earlier, more fluid passages. It`s obvious from Peter Fleming`s 1951 novel *The Sixth Column* (and I strongly recommend that you read it) that the Fleming brothers had much in common as writers. (It`s a shame that Peter Fleming didn`t write a Bond novel – he`s one of too many writers who should have.)
“Morning, Hall-Porter. Any letters?” “Good morning, General. No, no letters; but there`s a guest waiting for you.” “Thank you, Hall-Porter.” In 1907, or thereabouts, Black`s Club had engaged as hall porter a man whose name was, as it happened, Porter. By this name, as soon as they found it out, the members naturally addressed him. But there was at that time in the club a very pompous and unpopular man called Porter-Hall, and some half-forgotten wholly inconsequent chain of events led a clique of his enemies to believe that they could score off him by insisting that it was derogatory, unjust and cruel to call the hall-porter Porter; he must, they insisted, always be addressed as Hall-Porter. This abstruse and childish gambit, once adopted by an influential few, soon became obligatory for all; and, although Porter-Hall and Porter both died long ago, the convention which they involuntarily combined to establish has acquired the permanence of protocol, and it is as obligatory for a member of Black`s to call the uniformed figure in the little glass-fronted cubby-hole “Hall-Porter” as it is for a Grenadier Guardsman to say only “Sir” when everyone else in His Majesty`s Force would say “Yes, sir.” If the bar of the Shanghai Club is the longest in the world, the bar at Black`s – at any rate in relation to the volume of alcohol served across it – must be one of the shortest. Tucked away in an alcove of what is called, no longer very appositely, the Coffee Room, its dimensions suggest that it was originally designed to fit into the saloon of a moderate-sized yacht. Since few members of Black`s deem it prudent to ingest a meal without taking beforehand two, or three, or even four glasses of some beneficent cordial, the smallness of the bar means, so to speak, that a very large force has to attack on a very narrow front, which causes overcrowding, frustration and delay and often results in people deciding not, after all, to have another large pink gin but to go into luncheon before the cold salmon has been annihilated by the abstemious. Guests, and even new members, are sometimes puzzled by the club`s failure to equip itself with a bar les incommensurate with the needs – ever-present and often urgent – of its members. Looking at the thing from a purely material point of view, they deduce that Black`s must make a profit on the bar, difficult through it is of access; and they cannot understand why a larger and more convenient bar is not provided, and a bigger profit thereby made. Their callow speculations do less than justice to the wisdom of successive Committees. These enlightened bodies have long realized that the bar is too small and that to construct a bigger one would – by enabling members to drink as much as, instead of slightly less than they feel inclined to drink – increase the amenities of the club and strengthen its financial position. But it was also realized that this was but a specious, short-term point of view. A longer bar would mean a longer casualty-list, a quicker turnover of members; and though there would be no difficulty in filling the gaps in the ranks, new members – apart from being undesirable phenomena *per se* – would scarcely have the absorptive capacity of the Old Guard whom they replaced; so that capital expenditure on a new bar would have result which, while undesirable socially, would be of doubtful and perhaps diminishing value from a purely economic point of view. Projects for enlarging the bar at Black`s, though periodically and enthusiastically mooted, really come within the purview of Major Foxley-Ebbe`s section of MI5; they aim at upsetting the balance of nature in England.” [“The Sixth Column”, by Peter Fleming, 1951, Chapter 10]
(The careful reader will have noticed the similarities to Chapters 3 and 4 in Fleming`s novel “Moonraker”.)
“The Man With The Golden Gun” also has a much broader sense of humour than in any of Fleming`s other novels, which also strongly suggests Peter Fleming`s hand:
“Well let`s see, it`s Wednesday. Shall I tell you what`ll be the main dish on the menu in the canteen? It should be steak-and-kidney pudding.”
The Chief Security Officer picked up the direct telephone to Captain Walker. Captain Walker said to James Bond, “Damn! There`s the other telephone again. Shan`t be a minute.” He picked up the green telephone. “Yes, sir?” “I don`t like that bit about the steak-and-kidney pudding.” (Chapter 1, “The Man With The Golden Gun”)
“This document was afterwards picked up on the fourth green at Huntercombe by Professor TK Loopwith, who is employed by the Royal Institute of International Affairs at L1700 a year to study the effects of German propaganda on Central American folklore. Professor Loopwith, unable to fit into a thesis, which was then engaging his mind, on “Totalitarianism and the Basket-Dancers of Yucatan”, passed it on to a colleague who, shelving for the moment his work on “Silt as a Factor in International Relationships”, took it up to London and showed it to the Foreign Office. Here its importance was quickly recognized. Dr Lenkfals` notes are the most conclusive of various separate pieces of evidence which all points to 6.55pm as the time at which, 30,000 feet over the parish of Bix in Oxfordshire, a time-bomb in a thermos flask completely destroyed Herr Hitler`s aeroplane with all of its occupants save one.” [Chapter 3, Page 30, “The Flying Visit”]
So many lines and details echo previous novels that it strongly suggests someone had Fleming`s novels open while writing/rewriting the manuscript. True, it does seem to copy from past novels: the train set-piece (“Diamonds Are Forever”), the dossier (“Casino Royale”), the hood`s congress (“Goldfinger”), M`s cypher (“Live And Let Die”), the hospital (“Thunderball”), the “Z” scratch (“Goldfinger”), “funny coincidence department” in Chapter 11 (“You Only Live Twice”), the hotel situation (“The Spy Who Loved Me” discards; it also anticipates the film “Godfather 2”). The last two chapters recall “Thunderball” and “Casino Royale”. Felix`s pest control speech recalls Rene Mathis`s Red Indians observations from “Casino Royale”. The poison and the quick doctor recalls the transition from “From Russia, With Love” to “Doctor No”. The cyanide gun is from “The Property Of The Lady”. The Blades details are from “Moonraker” and “You Only Live Twice”. Not a major flaw, but they are disconcerting. Scaramanga sounds rather like Felix Leiter: read the pages in Chapter 7 where Scaramanga tells Bond who`s coming to the meeting. Now compare it to Felix Leiter`s dialogue in “Diamonds Are Forever” and “Thunderball”. See my point? Pretend Felix Leiter speaks those lines in *The Man With The Golden Gun*. It sounds dead on for Leiter. This only confounds the issue of who really wrote *The Man With The Golden Gun*. Would Fleming have imitated Felix`s speech patterns? Or did the real author hope nobody would notice? (The tone is so jarring it throws the reader off, even those like myself who like the novel.) Or compare the monologue in Chapter 12: that`s Felix Leiter talking, particularly the shell joke. In fact Scaramanga`s “talking” style changes as though somebody else wrote parts. All of this suggests somebody constantly referred back to Fleming`s other novels to ensure that this one fit in.
But! –Consider what would have happened had Fleming died in 1961. *The Spy Who Loved Me* would have been his last Bond novel. Much the same reaction would have followed. Indignant cries of, “Fleming didn`t write this, he wouldn`t write this way!”
The Man With The Golden Gun was probably an experiment, which explains why so many people doubt it`s veracity. In fact, it reads more like a product of the author of The Spy Who Loved Me.
Perhaps Ian Fleming did write all of it. There`s as much evidence supporting this theory as there is refuting it. Perhaps Fleming wrote an outline and somebody else filled in the blanks. Perhaps somebody, Peter Fleming, Cargill, Amis, whoever revised, re-wrote Fleming`s first draft. Perhaps much work was required, perhaps all Fleming left behind was an outline. Who knows? Glidrose, for one, and they`re not telling.
One last trivia note: Fleming may have intended to set this novel in Panama. He had wanted to see first hand how the canal locks worked, but family obligations, then later ill-health, intervened. “Fleming`s genius for imaginative gadgeteering would have reached its climax in a simple man`s guide to the manipulation of locks by oceans instead of by keys.” (Richard Hughes, *Foreign Devil*, Chapter 28, “Sayonara To James Bond”)
Finally, The Sun gets something right!Poetic justice coming to MI6 head?Once upon a time, she shared a futile rhyme!Roses are reddish, violets are blueish, if it wasn’t for Tanner’s warning… ka-boom!
…Is what dozens of Bond fans will be doing as we set sail from New Orleans on BondFanEvents’s fifth James Bond fan cruise.
Locations!
Large Living!
Loving it!
It’s not too late to join us, until our cruise ship has filled!
FanCruise5: Bond For Glory
Just like you, we at BondFanEvents love Spy Movies. And as enthusiasts, we’ve noticed something interesting . . . Spy Movies are all connected.
Spy Movie Navigator is where those connections come alive. SMN invites you to navigate through James Bond, Jason Bourne, Ethan Hunt and even the “Best of the Rest”. See how each has influenced the others, as well as how they’ve impacted and been impacted by the world around us.
You can navigate by movie franchise or listen to one of their informative Podcasts. SMN has interesting articles, a trivia quiz, and so much more, including tours they take to the very places we all know and love from our favorite movies. If you love Spy Movies, you’re going to the right place at theThe Worldwide Community of Spy Movie Fans!
Here at BondFanEvents.com we have no time for movie spoilers, but the deal is the new name is No Time To Die (!), which not coincidentally was the name of a 1958 film produced by albert Broccoli and directed by Terence Young of Dr. No.
Other Bond players on board included Luciana Paluzzi of Thunderball, Goldfinger song lyricist Anthony Newley and perennial Bond screenwriter Richard Maibaum.
Join at sea with some of the world’s top Bond experts
Oh, boy, 007! This is your chance to join the only group running fan events in North America for Bond fans. And some of the tip-top Bond experts on Earth are scheduled for seminars, themed games, locations visits and fun!
A fabulous cruise is on tap, including Bond/Fleming locations tours in not less than 3 cities–tours touching locations visited by 5 James Bond actors! Join us!
FanCruise5: Bond For Glory!
The ISM reopened this weekend and BondFanEvents staff was there, ready to spy and be spied upon! See all photos including real-world intelligence officers (spies!) in attendance: Spy Museum Event
We’re about ready at BondFanEvents to do our thing in Las Vegas, including a surprise guest from the Diamonds Are Forever crew. Send a note to join us, 007!
Church Groups: GTS Trick Shots Coming To You
The
GTS Message
GTS Calendar For 2016 And Beyond: Free Trick Shot Performances
> 4/30/16 – Steve is presenting a Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.
update as part of the Perspectives Class at the Hawthorne Gospel Church during
the mission moment on the class #14 entitled Pioneer Church Planting @ 9:30 am
in the Bible House Lounge.
> May/June 2016 (TBD) – Steve
Lillis will do a series of Gospel Trick Shot presentations in the Paterson
Public Schools at Schools 6, 10, 12, 21, and International High School.
> 5/14/16 – Gospel Trick Shot show at Pennington Park in Paterson, NJ on
the GTS portable pool table as part of the American Cancer Society “Relay for
Life” at 3:00 pm.
> 5/28/16 – 5/30/16 (TBD) – 6th Annual George “Ginky” SanSouci Predator
Tour event at Steinway Billiards in Queens, New York.
> 6/4/16 – P3 Prayer, Praise, Paterson event at Hinchcliffe Stadium in
Paterson 9:00 am – 5:00 pm.
> 6/11/16 – Steve Lillis GTS show outdoors with portable pool table at
“The Church by the Side of the Road” with barbeque at 1:00 pm at 108 Hoover
Ave., Passaic, NJ 07055.
> 6/20/16 – 6/24/16 – Steve Lillis at Northeast INCITE (www.neincite.com)
Annual Chi Alpha Staff Conference at Valley Forge Christian College with GTS
shows.
More
About Gospel Trick Shots Teams
> 7/15/16 – 7/25/16 – Philippines mission trip to Mindanao with GTS board
member and missionary Rob Boswell leading a team from Hawthorne Gospel Church
and Emergence.
> 7/20/16 – 8/9/16 – Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Steve Lillis on a Canadian
GTS tour in Quebec City with the GTS portable pool table working with Jim Percy
of the “French Connection” and various pool rooms and community centers in
upstate New York areas.
> 8/25/16 – 8/28/16 – Turning Stone Joss Northeast 9 Ball event in
Verona, NY with GTS partners and outreach.
> January 2016 (TBD) – Derby City Classic pro pool event and GTS shows at
University of Louisville and the University of Kentucky working with Cru campus
ministries.
> June/July 2017 (TBD) – Metro Manila GTS tour with billiard
demonstrations and outreach working with various Filipino pool professionals
and the CMC outreach model.
GTS News for May 2016
Busy April Recap – Last month started with a second
GTS show at the Preakness Health Care Center in Wayne, NJ partnering with Star
of Hope Ministries of historic Paterson,
New Jersey. Robert Tenny and Steve Lillis handled the GTS portable pool
table set up while eighteen Star of Hope volunteers wheeled patients down into
a large cafeteria to view the show. The theme of the show was “The joy of the
Lord is your strength”.
Patients’ faces lit up with the good news and Jesus Christ was glorified!
Next up the Legacy Minded Men “Man Conference” at Christ International Church
in Lincoln Park, NJ with a GTS booth and contacts made by Steve Lillis for
future GTS events.
Another local event was the Jesus for Muslims (JFM) Banquet at Calvary
Temple Church in Wayne, NJ. GTS Board member Rob Boswell attended and networked
with other missionary minded people for future Philippines mission trips in
2016 and 2017. Steve then went to the annual Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in
Oaks, PA and partnered with “Playing Safe”, another Christian ministry reaching
pool players for Christ.
Steve hopped a plane the day after and went to Phoenix, AZ to join partner
Mike Massey for a week of ministry. Mike and Steve did a GTS show in the Sun
City Rec Center and Mike sang his pool playing Gospel country songs at the
American Legion nearby. Praise God for these opportunities to share the love of
Jesus! Next month we will give an update on our plans for a Billiard Sports
Café in Morocco! Please pray!
GTS College Update – Steve Lillis did a GTS show at
William Paterson University (WPU) last month. This might have been the best one
yet at WPU thanks to the prayers and support of the InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship (IVCF) on the campus. Sixty packets of Christian
literature were accepted by the students and a handful of students responded to
Christ, with one student who attended Steve’s course, writing her English class
with a summary report as to how the show changed her life. She indicated that
she gave her heart to Jesus at the show and she is now reading her Bible every
day and learning more about her savior.
Steve will be attending a Chi Alpha campus leadership summit in June and
will meet representatives from dozens of colleges who can bring Steve to
campuses on the East Coast next school year. Please pray for this exciting
opportunity!
Simple-To-Do
Trick Shot: “The Power Of 9”
**
GTS Calendar For 2015 And Beyond
GTS Calendar For 2015 And Beyond
>Winter/Spring 2016 (TBD) – Gospel
Trick Shot presentations in the Paterson Public Schools at Schools 6, 10,
12, 21, and International High School.
>12/2/15 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation on the GTS portable pool table
in the new gym for the Hawthorne Christian Academy (HCA) during the Wednesday
morning chapel service.
>12/11/15 – Steve will be the speaker for the Serving Hands group at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church at 9:00 am in the Chapel (formerly the Bible House
Bookstore).
>12/30/15 – 1/9/16 – Steve and Camille Lillis on Arizona GTS Winter Tour
working with various churches, community centers, and billiard rooms in the
Phoenix area.
>Jan/Feb 2016 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Passaic County
Community College working with the PCCC Christian Fellowship in the student
center game room.
>2/19/16 – 2/21/16 (TBD) – Joss 9 Ball Tour in Amsterdam, NY and Gospel
Trick Shot presentations in and around the Salem, NY upstate area.
>3/11/16 – 3/13/16 (TBD) – Joss 9 Ball Tour in Clifton Park, NY and
Gospel Trick Shot presentations in and around the Salem, NY upstate area.
>3/28/16 – 4/1/16 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Rutgers
University in New Brunswick, NJ working with the Rez week coalition of
campus ministries.
>3/28/16 – 4/1/16 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Kean
University in Union, NJ working with the Rez week coalition of campus
ministries.
>3/28/16 – 4/1/16 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at New Jersey
Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ working with the Rez week coalition of
campus ministries.
>April 2016 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Ramapo College of
New Jersey in student center with refreshments working with CRU campus
ministry.
>7/15/16 – 7/25/16 – Philippines mission trip to Mindanao with GTS board
member and missionary Rob Boswell leading a team from Hawthorne Gospel Church
and Emergence.
>7/20/16 – 8/9/16 – Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Steve Lillis on a Canadian
GTS tour with the portable pool table with stops in Quebec City working with
Jim Percy of the “French Connection” and Edgar Reich in Toronto with www.revivalusacanada.org
and various pool rooms and community centers in upstate New York areas.
>October 2016 (TBD) – GTS Mideast Tour in Jordan and Lebanon working with
various ministries like KDEC and SAT 7 and Qatar to participate in the 2016
World 9 Ball Championships.
>June/July 2017 (TBD) – Metro Manila GTS tour with billiard
demonstrations and outreach working with various Filipino pool professionals
and the CMC outreach model.
GTS College Report – The college tour for Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.
started this year on November 3 at William Paterson University (WPU) where Steve
Lillis teaches part time as an adjunct professor to help supplement his GTS
salary. Almost twenty years ago the Lord impressed upon Steve’s heart to be a
“tentmaker” while pursuing full time ministry with GTS. The GTS show on 11/3 at
WPU was hosted by the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and held in conjunction
with Steve including it into the “Living Writers” program at WPU.
Students at WPU must go to one “Living Writers” event on campus to complete
an assignment which includes meeting a living writing who will present and
discuss the writing process in the publication of their book. Steve is a “Living
Writer” as he wrote “But You Must!” with coauthor Devra Robledo.
Students were fascinated with the GTS show and asked questions after about
the show and the book. Feedback came to Steve as he read their reports from the
assignment. Students were deeply moved and touched by their professor. Praise
God!
Rez Week March 28 – April 1 – On November 6th Steve attended the “One Cry”
prayer and praise event at the Calvary Baptist Church in Manhattan with over
200 students in attendance from the New York City area. This event was a call
to God by www.campusrenewal.org
to bring campus ministries together the week before Easter with an outreach
called Rez Week.
Some 15 years ago Steve was part of the beginnings of this ministry which
began in Texas as Steve was asked by the campus ministries at Texas A&M
University to come and be a part of the first Rez Week on that campus. Now this
movement has come to the NYC area for the first time and Steve committed that
night to do all that he can to help raise the spiritual temperature on local
campuses in the NYC area and particularly in North Jersey.
So, tentatively, Steve is working with leaders in North Jersey to bring Rez
Week to Kean, NJIT, and Rutgers by using GTS as part of a week of outreach.
Please pray for these exciting opportunities!
Philippines Report and Video – GTS board member and Philippines missionary
Rob Boswell reports that the CMC team reached 26 villages and 12 schools in
Cavite with 9,000 people reached for Christ Nov 1-12. Dates have been set for
next year to return to Mindanao in the Philippines July 15-25. You can watch
the video of this trip at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gAyDqpLJAQ.
Thanks for praying and supporting our ministries and God bless as you celebrate
Christ in the Holiday Season!
**
GTS Calendar Updates For October/November/December
U.S. Open 9 Ball – In the spring of 1978 Steve and Camille Lillis embarked
on a three-year, 85,000 mile journey that began in Norfolk, VA at the U.S. Open
9 Ball Championships. More about this exciting pool journey is included in the
book “But You Must!” and can be found on the ministry website.
Steve and Camille returned to the U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Norfolk,
VA this past month with their unique portable
pool table in tow. This time Steve did not play but ministered to the
players and fans with Gospel Trick Shots, Bobble Ball, and with various
Christian DVD’s and literature in many languages. There were 128 players
representing 30 countries present.
Since 1978 the game of pool and particularly 9 Ball has become popular all
over the world. Steve has traveled to 21 countries and has met many of these
players overseas. Now some were here competing in the most prestigious event on
U.S. soil.
Steve and Camille set up a Gospel Trick Shot booth alongside of a new
ministry booth called “Playing Safe” with pro player and GTS sponsor Eddie
Richardson. “Playing Safe” held a special drawing in which 150 people
participated and were reached with the Gospel. Special thanks to pro player and
former 1992 U.S. Open 9 Ball Champion Tommy Kennedy for helping and GTS
sponsors McDermott Cues and DiRiginal.com.
**
Oktoberfest Happenings – Gospel Trick Shot presentations and Bobble Ball on
the GTS portable pool table were done for the kids and adults on Oct 4th at the
North Haledon Municipal Field. Adults and kids came by to watch, have fun, and
pick up literature and salvation bracelets. On Oct 16th Steve and Camille spent
the weekend at the annual Hawthorne Gospel Church Missions Conference.
Camille demonstrated for the Serving Hands ladies her new technique for
making yarn dolls for Operation Christmas Child. Then Steve and Camille joined
the Braunlins as the featured missionaries at the Canelas in Wyckoff. Saturday
had meetings and an Oktoberfest dinner with Sunday morning including Gospel
Trick Shots on the portable pool table in the Pavilion with an appearance at a
Sunday school class followed by an afternoon dinner and evening service. What a
weekend to remember! Praise God!
**
New Birth – Steve’s daughter Sarah who lost baby Ella one year ago gave
birth to another baby girl one year later! Please join us in welcoming baby
Isabelle to Sarah and Gregg Slanovec. God is so
good!
**
GTS Calendar for 2015 and Beyond
>Winter/Spring 2015-16 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentations in the
Paterson Public Schools at Schools 6, 10, 12, 21, and International High
School.
>11/1/15 – 11/12/15 – The Philippines with the Church Multiplication
Coalition (CMC), World Ministries, and Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. with
GTS board member Rob Boswell leading the team from New Jersey. Another team
from California will join the outreach. There will be crusades with music,
drama, testimonies, and evangelism with follow up. Also public school outreach,
prison outreach in a church planting format.
About
Steve Lillis – GTS Founder
>11/3/15 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at William Paterson University
in the Arcade at 12:30 pm with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and the Living
Writers program.
>11/14/15 – 11/15/15 – NJ State 8 Ball Championship Sandcastle Billiards
in Edison, NJ.
>12/2/15 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation on the GTS portable pool
table in the new gym for the Hawthorne Christian Academy (HCA) during the
Wednesday morning chapel service.
>12/11/15 – Steve will be the speaker for the Serving Hands group at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church at 9:00 am in the Chapel (formerly the Bible House
Bookstore).
>12/30/15 – 1/9/16 – Steve and Camille Lillis on Arizona GTS Winter Tour
working with various churches, community centers, and billiard rooms in the
Phoenix area.
>2/19/16 – 2/21/16 (TBD) – Joss 9 Ball Tour in Amsterdam, NY and Gospel
Trick Shot presentations in and around the Salem, NY upstate area.
>3/11/16 – 3/13/16 (TBD) – Joss 9 Ball Tour in Clifton Park, NY and
Gospel Trick Shot presentations in and around the Salem, NY upstate area.
>April 2016 (TBD) – Gospel
Trick Shot presentation at Ramapo College of New Jersey in student center
with refreshments working with CRU campus ministry.
>July/August 2016 (TBD) – Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Steve Lillis on a
Canadian GTS tour with the portable pool table with stops in Quebec working
with Jim Percy of the “French Connection” and Edgar Reich in Toronto with
www.revivalusacanada.org.
>October 2016 (TBD) – GTS Mideast Tour in Jordan and Lebanon working with
various ministries like KDEC and SAT 7 and Qatar to participate in the 2016
World 9 Ball Championships.
>June/July 2017 (TBD) – Metro Manila GTS tour with billiard
demonstrations and outreach working with various Filipino pool professionals
and the CMC outreach model.
“But
You Must! The Steve Lillis Story” is also now available as an ebook at
Amazon for only $2.99. Just type in the words “Gospel Trick Shot” or
click the link above. You can also order the paperback copy if you prefer.
**
GTS Calendar For 2015 And Beyond
>8/30/15 – Steve Lillis teaching and sharing about the Philippines
in a Sunday School Class at 9:55 am in the Education Building Room E-4 at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church.
>9/1/15 – Steve Lillis returns to teaching at William Paterson University
and Kean University in the English Departments.
>9/19/23 – Philippines team meeting at the Boswell home at 9:00 am.
>9/23/15 – GTS Annual Board Meeting at Lillis home in Haledon, NJ at 7:45
pm.
>Fall 2015 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentations in the Paterson Public
Schools at Schools 10, 12, 6, and International High School.
>10/10/15 – 10/11/15 – NJ State 9 Ball Championship Sandcastle
Billiards in Edison, NJ.
>10/16/15 – 10/18/15 – Annual Hawthorne Gospel Church Missions
Conference.
>10/22/15 – 10/25/15 (TBD) – American Straight Pool Championships at
Diamond Billiards, 13184 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113.
>10/25/15 – 10/31/15 (TBD) – Annual 2015 U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships
in Norfolk, VA with GTS booth, GTS shows, and Bible Studies with GTS Vice
President Rodney Fontaine.
>11/1/15 – 11/12/15 – The Philippines with the Church
Multiplication Coalition (CMC), World Ministries, and Gospel Trick Shot
Ministries, Inc. with Steve Lillis and Rob Boswell. There will be crusades with
music, drama, testimonies, and evangelism with follow up. Also public school
outreach, prison outreach, and billiard outreach in a church planting format
with CMC.
>12/11/15 – Steve will be the speaker for the Serving Hands group at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church at 9:00 am in the Bible House Lounge.
>12/30/15 – 1/9/16 – Arizona GTS Winter Tour working with various
churches, community centers, and billiard rooms in the Phoenix area.
Return To The Philippines/Paterson Public SchoolsCentral Park – On Saturday August 15th a Gospel Trick Shot
team of 15 helpers entered Central Park in New York City to be part of a larger
Arise New York outreach team that included KLOVE radio as a sponsor. The GTS portable
pool table team included Steve Lillis and three faithful helpers.
Robert and Michael Tenny and Mike Thibodeau transported the GTS trailer and
pool table into Central Park and handled the set up and break down. Steve had
the largest crowds to date as this was his fourth time doing Gospel Trick Shot
shows in Central Park. We praise God for His provision once again!
The other eleven GTS helpers came to do the “Everything” drama skit which
some of them did in the Philippines the month before. Ben and Morgan Burklow
leaders in the Philippines helped put the team together using other local
talent from Jacksonville Chapel. Diane Sardanopoli was the emcee for the drama
team and was also a key speaker in the Philippines last month that helped lead
over 10,000 Filipinos to Christ. Here is the video
of the drama skit in Central Park as a picture is worth a thousand words.
Philippines Again – Rob Boswell and Steve Lillis are once
again planning a return trip to the Philippines scheduled for November 1-12. The
team is forming and this time we can only take 10 people.
There will once again be crusades with music, drama, testimonies, and
evangelism with follow up. Also public school outreach, prison outreach, and
billiard outreach in a church planting format with the Church Multiplication
Coalition. So if you are interested please contact Steve at or Rob via the
About.com website. Please pray that God would raise up the 10 people of His
choosing! Thanks again for your prayers and support!
Paterson Public Schools (PPS) – Before the end of school
last spring Steve Lillis did a Gospel Trick Shot presentation featuring life
lessons on his portable pool table during two assembly programs at the
Alexander Hamilton Academy which is a Paterson Public School. An after school
“Good News Club” was launched after the presentation.
So this school year there are four other Paterson public schools interested
in bringing Steve and his portable pool table. Please pray as scheduling will
hopefully begin when the school year starts September 1. Please pray
specifically for favor with the administration at the schools. Thanks.
Amazing
Trick Shots – See Them Near You
**
GTS Calendar 2015 – See The World’s Greatest Trick Shot Artists Live!
> 8/8/15 – Lillis Family Reunion in Hershey, PA.
> 8/15/15 – GTS Shows “In
Memory of Ella” in Central Park at the East 67th Street band shell from
11:00 am – 3:00 pm working with the “Arise New York” team.
> 8/16/15 – Steve Lillis teaching in Jim Aufiero’s Berean Sunday School
Class at 9:55 am in the Education Building at the Hawthorne Gospel Church.
> 8/20/15 – 8/23/15 (TBD) – Joss Northeast 9 Ball Championship at the
Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY.
> 8/23/15 (TBD) – Philippines team meeting at the Ben Burklow home in
Pompton Plains, NJ.
> 8/25/15 – 8/27/15 (TBD) – Annual Steinway Classic tournament at 35-25
Steinway Street, Astoria, NY.
> 8/30/15 – Steve Lillis teaching in Jim Aufiero’s Berean Sunday School
Class at 9:55 am in the Education Building at the Hawthorne Gospel Church.
> 9/1/15 – Steve Lillis returns to teaching at William Paterson
University and Kean University in the English Departments.
> 9/9/15 (TBD) – GTS Annual Board Meeting at Lillis home in Haledon, NJ
at 7:45 pm.
> 9/19/23 – Philippines team meeting at the Boswell home at 9:00 am.
> Fall 2015 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentations in the Paterson
Public Schools at Schools 10, 12, 6, and International High School.
> 10/16/15 – 10/18/15 – Annual Hawthorne Gospel Church Missions
Conference.
> 10/22/15 – 10/25/15 (TBD) – American Straight Pool Championships at
Diamond Billiards, 13184 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113.
> 10/25/15 – 10/31/15 (TBD) – Annual 2015 U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships
in Norfolk, VA with GTS booth, GTS shows, and Bible Studies with GTS Vice
President Rodney Fontaine.
> 11/1/15 – 11/12/15 – The Philippines with the Church Multiplication
Coalition (CMC), World Ministries, and Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. with
Steve Lillis and Rob Boswell. There will be crusades with music, drama,
testimonies, and evangelism with follow up. Also public school outreach, prison
outreach, and billiard outreach in a church planting format with CMC.
> December/January 2015-16 (TBD) – Florida and Arizona GTS Winter Tours
working with Rodney Fontaine in Florida and Steve Lillis in Arizona.
> 8/13/16 – 8/22/16 (TBD) – APA National Team Championships with GTS
Booth working with the Rock Church Billiard Ministry out of San Diego, CA.
What a tremendous move of God in the Philippines this month. GTS’s team of
18 Americans embedded with 35 Filipinos in a base camp in the province of
Cavite. We first visited and prayed for the governor and then the mayor and
police chief. After requesting a visit to the local jail we had the opportunity
to lead all the prisoners to Christ.
The police chief then summoned his police force and we then led them to
Christ as well. With favor from the government we then proceeded to reach out
to schools and villages. Everywhere we went people responded to the gospel as
we went to 5 schools, held 16 crusades, and had five billiard presentations by
Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman with the usual retinue of extraordinary pool trick
shots and entertainment. Entire poolrooms prayed to receive Christ! Many
people are good, no one is perfect, but Jesus died and rose and trusting Him,
our imperfections are cleared.
A typical day included a visit to a school in the morning with followup in
the afternoon from the previous night’s crusades. The evenings were devoted to
crusades as we split into two teams to do two villages per night. A crusade
consisted of a band concert, greetings, comedy skit, testimony, drama skit,
evangelistic preaching, altar call, and prayer for healing.
On one particular follow up 250 children showed up to receive a snack, Book
of Hope (shortened Bible), and a salvation bracelet. There were also over 100
adults who brought 60 of their unsaved friends. One of the Filipino
missionaries preached from the bumper of our van and led 60 more adults to
Christ. See the video on Youtube.
Astonishingly, over 10,000 people trusted Jesus for salvation, with nearly
50 Bible studies and 10 churches planted as we visited two dozen churches and
16 villages. We are now forming another team to head back to the Philippines
November 1 through 12 this year. We already have six people interested in
going. We need workers as well as pool stars to attend.
For more info on recent events visit this website.
**
Pool In
The Park – Update And NewsGTS
Calendar For 2015 And Beyond
> 6/29/15 – Steve
Lillis will be doing a GTS Show at the Monmouth Park Racetrack in
Oceanport, NJ at 7:00 pm working with Jockey Chaplain Donny Christopher.
> 7/9/15 –
7/20/15 – The Philippines with the Church Multiplication Coalition (CMC) with
teams from Hawthorne Gospel Church and Emergence Church with Steve Lillis and
Rob Boswell. There will be music, drama, billiards, public school outreach,
prison outreach, and prayer in a church planting format from the CMC.
> 7/18/15 –
7/19/15 – Lehigh Valley Sportsfest Amateur Trick Shot Competition hosted by GTS
VP Brian Pauley and Erik Lynch. Visit Sports Fest for more info!
> 7/22/15 –
8/1/15 (TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National Championships with various
amateur and pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS Bible studies, Gospel Trick
Shot Shows “In Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
> 8/8/15 – Lillis
Family Reunion in Hershey, PA.
> 8/15/15 – GTS
Shows “In Memory of Ella” in Central Park at the East 67th Street band shell
from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm working with the “Arise New York” team.
> 8/16/15 – Steve
Lillis teaching in Jim Aufiero’s Berean Sunday School Class at 9:55 am in the
Education Building at the Hawthorne Gospel Church.
> 8/20/15 –
8/23/15 (TBD) – Joss Northeast 9 Ball Championship at the Turning Stone Casino
in Verona, NY.
> 8/25/15 –
8/27/15 (TBD) – Annual Steinway Classic tournament at 35-25 Steinway Street,
Astoria, NY.
> 8/30/15 – Steve
Lillis teaching in Jim Aufiero’s Berean Sunday School Class at 9:55 am in the
Education Building at the Hawthorne Gospel Church.
> 9/1/15 – Steve
Lillis returns to teaching at William Paterson University and Kean University
in the English Departments.
> Fall 2015 (TBD)
– Gospel Trick Shot presentations in the Paterson Public Schools at Schools 10,
12, 6, and International High School.
> 10/16/15 –
10/18/15 – Annual Hawthorne Gospel Church Missions Conference.
> 10/22/15 –
10/25/15 (TBD) – American Straight Pool Championships at Diamond Billiards,
13184 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113.
10/25/15 – 10/31/15
(TBD) – Annual 2015 U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Norfolk, VA with GTS
booth, GTS shows, and Bible Studies with GTS Vice President Rodney Fontaine.
>
December/January 2015-16 (TBD) – Florida and Arizona GTS Winter Tours working
with Rodney Fontaine in Florida and Mike Massey in Arizona.
> June 2016 (TBD)
– Amman, Jordan to visit missionaries and friends; Israel tour; and Qatar for
the 2016 World 9 Ball Championships.
> 8/13/16 –
8/22/16 (TBD) – APA National Team Championships with GTS Booth working with the
Rock Church Billiard Ministry out of San Diego, CA.
Pool In
The Park And The PhilippinesWest
Coast Recap – After one week of working hard to
promote our “pool in the park event” the results are in for the June 5 and 6
fundraiser to help send Mike Massey and Steve Lillis to the Philippines. We
raised a total of $3,100 of the $5,000 needed for Mike and Steve. Special
thanks to Fred and Devra Robledo who worked tirelessly to set up the event for
the past month.
Also special thanks
to the “Released Time” Program for religious instruction of the
Anaheim public school district and the Anaheim Senior Center in supplying
helpers for the event. We had six portable pool tables set up under canopies,
four bobble balls tables, and a registration/snack area. We were greatly
encouraged as those who came said that they would tell their friends, post
pictures on social media, and definitely come back next year. The weather was
perfect and all who came to participate and work in the event were blessed!
Fred and Devra
announced plans to do this again next year as ideas were shared on how to
expand this “pool in the park” event. And finally special thanks to
our main billiard industry sponsor McDermott Cues and the other associate
sponsors Olhausen, A.E. Schmidt, Valley Dynamo/Connelly, Golden West, Alex
Billiards, West State Billiard Supply, Kamui, and Bobble Ball. Thank you, prayer partners, for your continued prayers
and support as well.
Philippines
Team Ready – We would like to welcome our 20th and
final member to our Philippines team, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman who is a
world champion artistic pool player and Gospel Trick Shot RACK Team member. We
have purchased 20 plane tickets and now the remainder of the $50,000 of the
expense money is needed for the team which is now about $7,000. We praise God
for the $43,000 already raised by our team members.
Family
Update – On the home front our family is doing
better thanks to prayers and support of family and friends. We recently
received a gift of baby clothing for our daughter Sarah as she is pregnant with
our third grandchild. Grandson Jayden soon to be seven this month did better in
school last month as he has apparently calmed down. Jayden and Grandpa (Pop
Pop) are scheduled to go to Northern Frontier Christian Camp together on August
1st. Ella of course is with the Lord and we are still processing that one year
cycle since her home going last October. God is good and we are trusting Him as
a family!
**
Mike Massey And Steve Lillis – Trick Shot Tour
Dear
Gospel Trick Shot Friends:
Our exciting
Philippines missionary expedition is only 6 weeks away. We are about half way
to raising the $50,000 needed for our team of 20 short term missionaries. Mike Massey and Steve Lillis
will be in Los Angeles the next 2½ weeks fundraising for GTS with a series of
GTS shows. Below is our exciting newsletter and jam packed calendar for June
and beyond. We really appreciate your prayers and support! Thanks in advance
for God who is working!
GTS
Calendar For 2015 And Beyond
>5/28/15 – Steve
Lillis and Mike Massey GTS Show for Calvary Chapel East Anaheim Church Pool
League at 6:30 pm.
>5/29/15 – Steve
Lillis and Mike Massey GTS Show and Ice Cream Social for the Released Time
program for the Anaheim Public School District.
>6/6/15 – GTS
Board member and missionary Rob Boswell and wife Roma will host a brunch and
meeting for the Philippines mission team at the Boswell home at 9:00 am.
>6/6/15 – 6/7/15
– Steve Lillis and Mike Massey hosting an outdoor portable pool table tournament and GTS fundraiser for the Philippines starting at 10:00
am each day in the Ronald Reagan Park in Anaheim, CA working with Fred and
Devra Robledo of SourceEnterprises and various billiard industry sponsors.
>6/21/15 – Steve
Lillis will preach the Sunday morning message at the Midland Park Church of God
in Midland Park, NJ for Father’s Day.
>6/28/15 (TBD) –
GTS Show “In Memory of Ella” at the Status Q at 8218-20 3rd Ave., Brooklyn, NY
11209 7:00 pm working with Horizon Christian Fellowship of Brooklyn.
>6/29/15 – Steve
Lillis will be doing a GTS Show at the Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, NJ
at 7:00 pm working with Jockey Chaplain Donny Christopher.
>7/9/15 – 7/20/15
– The Philippines with the Church Multiplication Coalition (CMC) with teams
from Hawthorne Gospel Church and Emergence Church with Steve Lillis and Rob
Boswell. There will be music, drama, billiards, public school outreach, prison
outreach, and prayer in a church planting format from the CMC.
>7/18/15 –
7/19/15 – Lehigh Valley Sportsfest Amateur Trick Shot Competition hosted by GTS
VP Brian Pauley and Erik Lynch. http://www.sportsfest.org for more info!
>7/22/15 – 8/1/15
(TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National Championships with various amateur and
pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS Bible studies, Gospel Trick Shot Shows “In
Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
>8/8/15 – Lillis Family
Reunion in Hershey, PA.
>8/15/15 – GTS
Shows “In Memory of Ella” in Central Park at the East 67th Street band shell
from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm working with the “Arise New York” team.
>8/20/15 –
8/23/15 – Joss Northeast 9 Ball Championship at the Turning Stone Casino in
Verona, NY.
>8/25/15 –
8/27/15 (TBD) – Annual Steinway Classic tournament at 35-25 Steinway Street,
Astoria, NY.
>10/16/15 –
10/18/15 – Annual Hawthorne Gospel Church Missions Conference.
>10/22/15 –
10/25/15 (TBD) – American Straight Pool Championships at
Diamond Billiards, 13184 Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian, VA 23113.
10/25/15 – 10/31/15
(TBD) – Annual U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Norfolk, VA.
>June 2016 (TBD)
– Amman, Jordan to visit missionaries and friends; Israel tour; and Qatar for
the 2016 World 9 Ball Championships.
>8/13/16 –
8/22/16 (TBD) – APA National Team Championships with GTS Booth working with the
Rock Church Billiard Ministry out of San Diego, CA.
GTS News
For June 2015
Philippines – We had
our first Philippines team meeting on Wednesday May 20th at the Hawthorne
Gospel Church. We have 20 team members going on this historic trip July 9–20,
2015 as Hawthorne Gospel Church is partnering with Emergence Church.
Team members stood
up and shared why they are going on this missionary expedition. Then there was
a time of focused prayer during the HGC Wednesday evening prayer meeting. After
the prayer meeting team members stayed on to discuss and continue planning.
This expedition will cost $50,000 and we are almost halfway there.
Los Angeles Tour – Steve Lillis and Mike Massey
will be on tour in Los Angeles from 5/26/15 – 6/13/15. So far there are six
shows booked as the tour continues to take shape. There will be shows for a
church pool league, public school program, and outdoors in a park. Part of the
tour will be a fundraising effort for the upcoming Philippines trip in which
Steve and Mike will be doing shows in the Philippines for hospitals, schools,
prisons, and community centers. Please pray for this exciting opportunity!
May Recap – Last
month was very busy with local area shows and continued Philippines planning.
Steve did a GTS “In Memory of Ella” show on May 1st at the Passaic County
Community College which encouraged students who have suffered loss. GTS shows
where done on Sunday May 3rd on the portable pool table in Central Park as part
of the “Arise New York” team outreach which also included bands, dancers, and
speakers. On May 8th another GTS “In Memory of Ella” show was done on the
portable pool table at the New Canaan Society breakfast to encourage men who
have also suffered loss. Steve attended the Jesus for Muslims banquet on May
9th and then played in a charity event “Rack for a Cure” on May 16th in
Pennsylvania on behalf of cancer. Thanks for your prayers and support!
Family Update –
Daughter Sarah was married on May 2nd to Gregg Slanovev in a beautiful wedding
held in a local family church in Randolph, NJ. The reception was literally
right down the street in the backyard of Gregg’s parents. Family came from all
over the country to support Gregg and Sarah who have had a challenging time since
the loss of Ella last October. Thanks for your prayers! We love you!
God bless you, Steve
Lillis, President and Founder, Gospel Trick Shot.
**
Outdoor Billiards In Central ParkThe latest updates from “The Pastor of Pool” Steve Lillis include an
outdoor billiards trick shot show in New York’s Central Park this week!
Dear GTS Friends:
Our exciting Central Park outreach is this Sunday, May 3rd from
11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Enter the park at the East 72nd Street and 5th Ave entrance
and walk in about 200 yards to the band shell. You will see our gold portable
pool table along with Christian dancers, bands, face painting, Chinese yo-yo
demonstrations and Christian literature tables.
Central
Park Essentials
The “Ella Tour” continues to impact lives all over the country! Who would
have thought that God would use the death of our precious 2½ year old
granddaughter Ella to fuel Gospel Trick Shot and change lives? This past month
the GTS portable pool table was rolled into a Paterson Public Elementary School
for two assembly programs in a school filled with 560 students. GTS helper Ken
Neill played music as the students filed in and out.
Steve Lillis shared his “In Memory of Ella” GTS presentation. The students
stood speechless watching the shots fall as they listened to the story of God’s
amazing grace in the midst of tragedy. They were challenged to have faith in
God even when life does not make sense. One week later Steve returned to the
school and received news from the school counselor that there had been a deadly
drive-by shooting in that Paterson neighborhood days after the show.
The counselor said that students remembered and were encouraged by what
Steve said and that some were directly affected. The counselor also remarked
that God had sent us to prepare the hearts of the students! We have just
received an invitation to go to another Paterson school and this one a high
school. Praise God!
The month of April started with a show at William Paterson University.
Students stayed after the show to talk about God and campus pastor Ken Vander
Wall said that the show was the most effective one he witnessed in the 18 years
of doing GTS shows at that university. Next up Steve shared his testimony at a
Legacy Minded Man “Good Friday” prayer breakfast at the Brownstone in Paterson.
More
About William Paterson University
Founder Joe Pellegrino was excited and pleased with the response! Then a
week later there was an inspiring Ella GTS presentation with wonderful worship
music in the Pavilion at the Hawthorne Gospel Church for the Legacy Builders
Saturday morning breakfast. Days later we did the Paterson Public school
mentioned above with a billiard event up next. Steve did two “Ella”
presentations at the Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in PA which is an annual
event and attracts thousands. Special thanks to GTS sponsor McDermott Cues for
their support and allowing the shows in their venue booth. Please pray for our
May calendar schedule as it is packed with much of the same including Central
Park on May 3rd.
Family update – Daughter Sarah Lillis Fuehring will be married to Gregg
Slanovec on May 2nd and has had a miraculous recovery from the accident. Her
friend Joanna who was also critically injured in the accident is doing great as
well and reports that she is excited about her new church that she is
attending. Grandson Jayden still needs prayer as he is having difficulty
controlling himself in his first grade class. Jayden witnessed the death of his
sister Ella!
The entire family is coming from all over the country for the wedding and we
are rejoicing in all that God is doing in our family as we have all grown
closer to each other and to God as a result of Ella’s tragic death and entrance
into the arms of Jesus!
How
Do Imperfect People Reach Heaven?GTS Calendar for 2015 and Beyond
> 5/1/15 – GTS Show “In Memory of Ella” at the Passaic County Community
College in Paterson, NJ in the game room followed by food and fellowship from
1:15 – 2:15 pm sponsored by the PCCC Christian Fellowship.
> 5/2/15 -Marriage: Sarah Fuehring (Steve’s daughter) & Greg Slanovec
of Randolph, NJ.
> 5/3/15 – GTS Shows “In Memory of Ella” in Central Park at the East 72nd
Street band shell from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm working with the “Arise New York”
team.
> 5/8/15 – GTS presentation “In Memory of Ella” at “The Brick House”, 179
Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ 07481 at 6:30 am with Bergan County Society breakfast
meeting.
> 5/9/15 – JFM 30th Anniversary Banquet at Calvary Temple, 1111 Preakness
Ave., Wayne, NJ 07470 from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
> 5/16/15 – 2nd Annual Rack for a Cure Charity 9 Ball tournament at
Warrington Billiards in Warrington, PA at 9:00 am.
Was
Willie Mosconi The Best Pool Player Of All Time?
> 5/17/15 – Mezz Pro Am Tour at Drexeline Billiards, 5100 State Street,
Drexel Hill, PA 19026 starts at Noon.
> 5/22/15 – 5/24/15 (TBD) – GTS Shows “In Memory of Ella” at Allentown
Tables 4550 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, PA 18103 and Calvary Fellowship in
Downingtown, PA.
> 5/26/15 – 6/13/15 – GTS West Coast Tour in Phoenix, AZ and Los Angeles,
CA with Mike Massey and Steve Lillis.
> 6/6/15 – 6/7/15 – Outdoor portable pool table tournament in Los
Angeles, CA working with Fred and Devra Robledo of SourceEnterprises.
> 6/21/15 – Steve Lillis will preach the Sunday morning message at the
Midland Park Church of God in Midland Park, NJ for Father’s Day.
> 6/28/15 (TBD) – GTS Show “In Memory of Ella” at the Status Q at 8218-20
3rd Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11209 7:00 pm working with Horizon Christian Fellowship
of Brooklyn.
Gospel
Trick Shot Shows
> 7/9/15 – 7/20/15 – The Philippines with the Church Multiplication
Coalition (CMC) with teams from Hawthorne Gospel Church and Emergence Church
with Steve Lillis and Rob Boswell. There will be music, drama, billiards,
public school outreach, prison outreach, and prayer in a church planting format
from the CMC.
> 7/18/15 – 7/19/15 – Lehigh Valley Sportsfest Amateur Trick Shot
Competition hosted by GTS VP Brian Pauley and Erik Lynch.
http://www.sportsfest.org for more info!
> 7/22/15 – 8/1/15 (TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National Championships
with various amateur and pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS Bible studies,
Gospel Trick Shot Shows “In Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball challenges in
sponsor booth.
> 8/15/15 – GTS Shows “In Memory of Ella” in Central Park at the East
72nd Street band shell from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm working with the “Arise New
York” team.
> 8/20/15 – 8/23/15 – Joss Northeast 9 Ball Championship at the Turning
Stone Casino in Verona, NY.
> June 2016 (TBD) – Amman, Jordan to visit missionaries and friends;
Israel tour; and Qatar for the 2016 World 9 Ball Championships.
> 8/13/16 – 8/22/16 (TBD) – APA National Team Championships with GTS
Booth working with the Rock Church Billiard Ministry out of San Diego, CA.
But
You Must! The Steve Lillis Story is also now available as a paperback and
also as an e-book at Amazon.com
for only $2.99. Click on the links or search under “Gospel Trick
Shot”.
**
Craving Trick Shots?
They’re Going From The USA To The Philippines!
Do you crave awesome billiards trick shots?
Would you like to see the greatest pool trick shot artists on Earth live and in
person? I’ve been ringside with them and they rock. The finest to wield a cue
in our lifetimes are appearing near you soon. Check it out!
GTS
Calendar For 2015 And Beyond
>3/1/15 – GTSRACK
shows with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Bryan Jamison at 1:00 pm North Heights
Lutheran Church in Arden Hills. MN for the youth and Jimmy’s Pro Billiards open
to all in Minneapolis, MN.
>3/14/15 –
Maryland State 9 Ball Championship at Top Hat Cue Club, Parkville, MD.
>3/21/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot presentation “In Memory of Ella” and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh
Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA at 9:00 am.
>4/2/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot presentation “In Memory of Ella” at William Paterson University
sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship during common hour 12:30 – 2:00
pm in the Student Center billiard room downstairs.
>4/3/15 – Steve
Lillis will share his testimony at the 24th Annual Good Friday Prayer Breakfast
at the Brownstone in Paterson, NJ at 7:30 am sponsored by LMM and CBMC.
>4/11/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot presentation “In Memory of Ella” at the Hawthorne Gospel Church
Pavilion at 8:00 am for the Legacy Builders Men’s Group.
Off The Chalk – A Simple Trick Shot You Can Learn
>4/16/15 –
4/19/15 – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo at the Greater Philadelphia Center in
Oaks, PA with amateur and pro competition, vendor booths with Gospel Trick Shot
Shows “In Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible studies and
fellowship.
>5/8/15 – GTS
presentation “In Memory of Ella” at “The Brick House”, 179 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff,
NJ 07481 at 6:30 am with Bergan County Society breakfast meeting.
>5/14/15 (TBD) –
Gospel Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” at the Alexander Hamilton Academy
Public School corner of Straight Street and 16th Ave., Paterson, NJ.
>5/16/15 – 2nd
Annual Rack for a Cure Charity 9 Ball tournament at Warrington Billiards in
Warrington, PA at 9:00 am.
>7/9/15 – 7/20/15
– The Philippines with the Church Multiplication Coalition (CMC) with teams
from Hawthorne Gospel Church and Emergence Church with Steve Lillis and Rob
Boswell. There will be music, drama, billiards, public school outreach,
prison outreach, and prayer in a church planting format from the CMC.
>7/18/15 –
7/19/15 – Lehigh Valley Sportsfest Amateur Trick Shot Competition hosted by GTS
VP Brian Pauley and Erik Lynch. http://www.sportsfest.org for more info!
The Never-Missed Bank Shot – D’oh!
>7/22/15 – 8/1/15
(TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National Championships with various amateur and
pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS Bible studies, Gospel Trick Shot Shows “In
Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
>9/16/15 –
9/26/15 – Return to the Philippines with Church Multiplication Coalition (CMC)
and Rob Boswell with Hawthorne Gospel Church and Emergence Church.
>June 2016 (TBD)
– Amman, Jordan to visit missionaries and friends; Israel tour; and Qatar for
the 2016 World 9 Ball Championships.
>8/13/16 –
8/22/16 (TBD) – APA National Team Championships with GTS Booth working with the
Rock Church Billiard Ministry out of San Diego, CA.
Pool Hustling Legends “On The Road”Philippines
Teams Now Forming
“In Memory of Ella”
2015 Tour – The Lord has provided an assortment of venues in 2015 to share the
life changing story of Ella. It has been about four months since the
tragic shuttle bus accident that took our 2½ year old granddaughter, Elizabeth
“Ella” Fuehring, home to be with Jesus. We have already seen many hearts
changed and moved towards the love of Jesus from Phoenix, Arizona to back home
here in northern New Jersey. Now God has provided a public elementary school, a
college, two men’s breakfast meetings, a Good Friday Prayer Breakfast, four
major billiard events from Pennsylvania to Las Vegas, and an overseas mission’s
trip to the Philippines. Please check our exciting GTS calendar and please
keep us in prayer as we are hoping and praying that hurting hearts will be
turned to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Philippines in July
2015 – Our dates have been changed to July 9-20, 2015. The Church
Multiplication Coalition (CMC) on the ground in the Philippines who are
handling all the logistics has decided that pushing our team back eight days
would work best as there will be other USA teams handling the first week of
July. Rob Boswell reports that 37 people turned out at Emergence Church
this past month showing an interest in joining our team. Hawthorne Gospel
Church will have their summer mission’s brochure out this week which will
include our Philippines team and 12 other teams that will go out all over the
world.
Billiards In Philippines – The 2012 Visit – A Report
Philippines Team
Update – We have expanded our team to 20 people that we will take from
Emergence and Hawthorne Gospel and then we will break up into two smaller teams
of ten once we arrive in the Philippines. There will be plenty to do as we
will hit the ground running! We will have large group meetings every night
with an estimated 1,000 people in attendance in different villages with band
concerts and evangelistic preaching. During the day we will have prayer,
skateboarding, drama skits, puppets, music, and billiard demonstrations to help
enhance our public school outreach and prison outreach and to help advertise
the major evening outreach events. We need all kinds of people to help and
you do not need to have any particular skills as you just need a heart for
people and the gift of helps. If you are interested in joining our team
and are not yet on our email list please send GTS your email address so you will receive update announcements of team
meetings at Emergence and Hawthorne Gospel Church. Please continue to pray for
this exciting outreach!
**
Trick Shot Shows
Near You For 2015
GTS Calendar 2015
and beyond: Changes
and additions are forthcoming – You’ll want to see these, the greatest pool
trick shot artists on Earth, near you soon! — “Quick Draw”**
>February/March
2015 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” at William Paterson
University sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship during common hour
12:30 – 2:00 pm in the Student Center billiard room downstairs.
>3/1/15 (TBD) –
Two GTS shows with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman in Minneapolis, MN. Go to www.drcuepromotions.com and
click on travelogue for details.
>3/21/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh Valley
Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA at 9:00 am.
>4/16/15 –
4/19/15 – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo at the Greater Philadelphia Center in
Oaks, PA with amateur and pro competition, vendor booths with Gospel Trick Shot
Shows “In Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible studies and
fellowship.
>5/8/15 – GTS
presentation “In Memory of Ella” at “The Brick House”, 179 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff,
NJ 07481 at 6:30 am with Bergan County Society breakfast meeting.
>5/16/15 – 2nd
Annual Rack for a Cure Charity 9 Ball tournament at Warrington Billiards in
Warrington, PA at 9:00 am.
>7/1/15 – 7/14/15
(TBD) – Return to the Philippines with the Church Multiplication Coalition
(CMC) working with teams from the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ and
Emergence Church in Totowa, NJ with Steve Lillis and Rob Boswell leading the
teams. There will be music, drama, billiards, public school outreach,
prison outreach, and prayer in a church planting format from the CMC.
>7/18/15 –
7/19/15 (TBD) – Lehigh Valley Sportsfest Amateur and Pro Trick Shot
Competition. http://www.sportsfest.org for
more info!
>7/22/15 –
8/1/15 (TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National Championships with various
amateur and pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS Bible studies, Gospel Trick
Shot Shows “In Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
>June 2016 (TBD)
– Amman, Jordan to visit missionaries and friends; Israel tour; and Qatar for
the World 9 Ball Championships.
>Summer 2017
(TBD) – Return to the Philippines working with Church Multiplication Coalition
(CMC) by doing Gospel Trick Shot outreaches in conjunction with teams from the
CMC.
**
New
Executive GTS Board – We are
excited to announce that we have a new Vice President and Treasurer on the GTS
Board of Directors. Brian Pauley from Ohio assumes the position of VP.
Brian is young and very active!
Brian has wedding
plans, a full time job, and finds time to do his special GTS show for the youth
and the elderly. Brian is an outstanding pool player with a lot of talent
and will continue to expand his gospel presentations on the pool
table. Our new treasurer, Dave Wisbauer, is not a pro-caliber pool player
but brings his professional accounting skills to the table to help us with
bookkeeping and financial planning.
Already we have seen
cost savings and a slight increase in our donations which are helping get us
out of the red. We still need about $3,000 total to catch up for this fiscal
year. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
Arizona
in January – My Mom went home
to be with the Lord last January 22 and left my brother and sisters and I her
house to use as we see fit. Currently our stepdad Ron is living there in
the winter and then commutes back to his home state of Iowa in the
summer. This has become a strategic outpost for GTS as I have been going
there for 21 years.
GTS has some
supporters and churches there who share in reaching people with the gospel
through billiards. This trip in January last month was unique and special
because of our current “In Memory of Ella” tour. A show was done in the
Ventana Lakes Community Center and another at a local billiards sports bar and
grill. People were deeply moved as once again the life of Ella Fuehring spoke to
hurting and needy hearts. Please continue to pray as we have more events
lined up for 2015! Thanks.
Philippines
in July 2015 – Rob Boswell and I
are continuing with our planning. We now have the executive pastor of the
Hawthorne Gospel Church, Dave Andersen, and 7 others willing to go. We are
looking for 8 more people to make a team of 16. We will have band concerts
and evangelistic preaching every night in different villages with
skateboarding, drama skits, puppets, music, and Gospel Trick Shots during the
day to help advertise the major evening events. We need people to help and
you do not need to have any particular skills as you just need a heart for
people and the
“gift of helps”. Please continue to pray for this exciting
outreach!
**
GTS
Shows Continue To AmazeGTS Calendar 2015-16
>1/4/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” at the Yacht Club in Ventana Lakes in
Peoria, Arizona at 3:00 pm.
>1/5/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” in Edgewater at the Landings in Ventana
Lakes in Peoria, Arizona at 1:00 pm.
>1/6/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot Shows “In Memory of Ella” at the Salvation Army for the men in
residence in downtown Phoenix, Arizona with show times yet to be determined.
>1/7/15 (TBD) –
Gospel Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” in the Metro Billiards in Phoenix, Arizona
with times yet to be determined.
>1/9/15 (TBD) –
Gospel Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” at Barefoot Bob’s Billiards in
Prescott, Arizona.
>1/27/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” with Steve Lillis at William Paterson
University sponsored by the student led group InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
during common hour 12:30 – 2:00 pm in the Student Center billiard room
downstairs.
>3/1/15 (TBD) –
Two GTS shows with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman in
Minneapolis, MN.
>3/21/15 – Gospel
Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh Valley
Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA.
>4/16/15 –
4/19/15 – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo at the Greater Philadelphia Center in
Oaks, PA with amateur and pro competition, vendor booths with Gospel Trick Shot
Shows “In Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible studies and
fellowship.
>5/16/15 – 2nd Annual
Rack for a Cure Charity 9 Ball tournament at Warrington Billiards in
Warrington, PA at 9:00 am.
>7/1/15 – 7/14/15
(TBD) – Return to the Philippines with the Church Multiplication Coalition
(CMC) working with teams from the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ and
Emergence Church in Totowa, NJ with Steve Lillis and Rob Boswell leading the
teams. There will be music, drama, billiards, public school outreach,
prison outreach, and prayer in a church planting format from the CMC.
>7/22/15 – 8/1/15
(TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National Championships with various amateur and
pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS Bible studies, Gospel Trick Shot Shows “In
Memory of Ella” and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
>1/11/16- 1/24/16
(TBD) – Guided tour and outreach to Israel. Contact Tom Rossman for more
details at drcue@artisticpool.org or call
765-760-7665.
>Summer 2017
(TBD) – Return to the Philippines working with Church Multiplication Coalition
(CMC) by doing Gospel Trick Shot outreaches in conjunction with teams from the
CMC.
An update on Steve
Lillis’s daughter: “Thank you so much for your many prayers
as our daughter Sarah (26) is now walking without crutches and is
continuing her outpatient physical therapy. Her boyfriend Greg proposed to
her in December and they are now engaged to be married! Praise God! We had
an engagement party with the extended family in Maryland over the
holidays. Grandson Jayden (6) continues to do well in
school and stays very active.
We are looking for a
pickup truck or a van donation to help transport our trailer and portable pool
table for future outreaches. GTS will provide a tax
deductible receipt.
GTS News
for January 2015 From Steve Lillis
Happy New Year and
the 2015 GTS “In Memory of Ella” Tour!
Over the past two
months I have been able to do some Gospel Trick Shot Shows entitled “In Memory of Ella”. The
shows have clearly touched and communicated with people who have been
experiencing difficulties and challenges in their lives.
For example, two
weeks ago I did a show for the youth at the Crossroads Cultural Center at 195
Piaget Avenue in Clifton, New Jersey. For those of you not familiar with this
very strategic ministry it is located right on the border of South Paterson and
Clifton and is home to a very ethnically diverse group of people. Many come
from the Middle East, some from parts of Eastern Europe, some from central and
South America, and yet others represent challenged minority groups that have
been here in the USA for generations.
Having said that I’m
sure you can imagine the feeling of hopelessness that exists in the minds of
the youth. They see their parents struggling to make financial ends meet,
struggling with speaking English, their peers wrestling with drugs and gang
violence, and then there is the ominous challenge to try to succeed in schools
with all those distractions and more surrounding them. Here is where the Crossroads
Cultural Center in Clifton, New Jersey comes
in.
The ministry is led
by Pastor Willie Kirchhofer who himself is a product of the streets of
Brooklyn, NYC. There are ESL classes which are in need of volunteers to help
struggling parents learn English and a mentoring program for the youth looking
for a few willing adults to come alongside those precious young people. There
is plenty of hope being offered every week at the church services where the
glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ is offered to all who pass through the church
doors.
Now back to my
story! I was at the center on a Friday night in December to do a Gospel Trick
Shot Show “In Memory of
Ella” on the very pool table that Gospel Trick Shot Ministries,
Inc. donated a few months back. The young people joined me for a few racks of
pool before the show and express to me how thankful they are and how much they
enjoy that pool table every week. To hear that my night would have been
complete! But now on with the show!
In my heart of
hearts I wanted so much to leave these young people something that they could
take home with them to help them with their life journey. Oh sure I would share
the Gospel but much more than that I wanted to make Jesus alive and real to
them! This is where the death or shall I say the home going of my 2 1/2 year
old granddaughter Ella on Oct 12th comes in. The Lord not only gave me a dream
one night about the shots, and what I would say with those shots, but also sent
two people to me to prophesy that not one drop of that child’s blood would be
wasted.
God would use that
tragedy to help build the Kingdom of God. So here I am writing to you with at
least nine new Gospel Trick Shot Shows“In Memory of Ella” coming
up in 2015. Please pray that God would be glorified in each one. Now back to
our story once again. As I shared the Ella story from her difficult birth to
her tragic death the young people’s eyes were riveted on the shots and their
ears attentive to every word. Where can you get teenagers to be still for one
solid hour? Only when the Holy Spirit of God is in the house!
At the end of the
show there was a reflective hush over the crowd. It was as if they wanted more!
Yes,what they wanted was more of God himself. And so we cried, we prayed, and
then we collectively gasped at what just took place. We were in awe of God’s
visitation!
One of the youth
leaders came out to my car after the show as he helped me with my gear. He
looked at me as if he did not want me to leave and then said something that
topped off the night as he shared how discouraged he has been in ministering to
these young people and that show that evening around the pool table recharged
his desire to serve.
How about you my
dear friends! Do you need a touch from God to jump start your life and
ministry? My Mom who went home to be with the Lord last January used to tell me
in my times of discouragement, “Just
remain willing, God will use you”. Happy New Year and God bless
you!
Fun With Steve Lillis At The Artistic Pool Cup
**
GTS’s Pool News For December ’14Calendar Of Trick Shot Shows – Free To
The General Public
>12/6/14 – Wounded Warrior 9 Ball Charity Tournament at a TAP
event at Fusco’s The Spot, 4432 E. Bristol Rd, Suite 6, Trevose, PA 19053.
>12/12/14 – Gospel Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” with
Steve Lillis for the youth at the Crossroads Cultural Center, 195 Piaget Ave.,
Clifton, NJ 07011 from 7:00 – 9:30 pm with the GTS show at 8:30 pm.
>12/20/14 – 1st Annual Cancer Benefit 8 Ball Event for Olivia
Bensinger at Cross Corner Billiards in Smoketown, PA.
>December 2014/January 2015 (TBD) – GTS Winter Tour in
Arizona and California with GTS shows and meeting with sponsors and supporting
churches.
>1/27/15 – Gospel Trick Shot Show “In Memory of Ella” with
Steve Lillis at William Paterson University sponsored by the student led group InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship during common hour 12:30 – 2:00 pm in the Student Center
billiard room downstairs.
>3/21/15 – GTS Show and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh Valley
Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA
>4/16/15 – 4/19/15 – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo at the
Greater Philadelphia Center in Oaks, PA with amateur and pro competition,
vendor booths with Gospel Trick Shot Shows and Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible
studies and fellowship.
>5/16/15 – 2nd Annual Rack for a Cure Charity 9 Ball
tournament at Warrington Billiards in Warrington, PA at 9:00 am.
>7/1/15 – 7/14/15 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines
with the Church Multiplication Coalition (CMC) working with teams from the
Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ and Emergence Church in Totowa, NJ
with Steve Lillis and Rob Boswell leading the teams. There will be music,
drama, billiards, public school outreach, prison outreach, and prayer in a
church planting format from the CMC.
>7/22/15 – 8/1/15 (TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual National
Championships with various amateur and pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS
Bible studies, GTS shows and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
>Summer 2017 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines working with
Church Multiplication Coalition (CMC) by doing Gospel Trick Shot outreaches in
conjunction with teams from the CMC.
A Tale Of Two Pool Tables… And Christmas
by Steve Lillis
Christmas is coming this month and what a special time of the
year! Actually Gospel Trick Shot started during the Holiday season back in
1961. During our annual Lillis family get together at Thanksgiving at my Aunt
Helen’s house, I began to get attracted to a pool table located in the basement
of her house. I went downstairs for many hours after eating a delicious
Thanksgiving meal to bang the balls around.
I was 11 years old and my only other experience with billiards
was sneaking back to a pool table in a bowling alley in between frames while in
a neighborhood bowling league the summer before. This was the year “The
Hustler” movie came out starring Paul Newman and Jackie Gleason. After
Thanksgiving my Mom let me look through the Sears and Roebuck catalog to pick
out my Christmas gifts. My attention focused on a brand new pool table. I asked
my Mom if I could get one for Christmas and her answer was “how about something
smaller and less expensive?” So I put that thought out of my mind!
Christmas morning 1961 came and my two sisters began to open
gift after gift while I had practically had nothing to open. Then my mom
instructed me to take a walk down to the basement where my dad was waiting with
camera and floodlights blazing! Upon entering the basement my eyes were blinded
by the lights–but then became fixed on a brand new pool table with sparkling
new pool balls. Needless to say it was the best Christmas ever!
Fast forward to 1996. I am looking for a pool table in the city
of Paterson, NJ to try out my new show called
Gospel Trick Shot. A good friend of mine named Jay Sinclair, who
was and is the director of Star of Hope Ministries, referred me to Pastor John
Algera of the Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Paterson. Pastor John
then assigned me to meet the youth leader and check out the pool table located
across the street in a building called the Crossroads Ministry Center which was
where the youth met then, and still do by the way.
The youth leader apologetically said to me, “I’m sorry Steve
this is all we have,” as his table had broken rails, ripped felt, and was not
level. I looked at the youth leader and said “This is perfect!” You see, weeks
before while I was visiting with my Mom in Arizona, I
was struck by the fact that my Mom’s pastor had built his church by reaching
out and ministering to the poor. I became convinced that if my ministry was to
go anywhere it would have to start with the poor.
So I began to make arrangements to do something about this
broken-down pool table. The Lord then led me to a pool room owner friend who
let me do a Gospel Trick Shot show in exchange for some pool table felt. After
that show a young man who was listening came up to me and said that he was the
son of a pastor and was “hiding out” in the pool room in disobedience to God
and his father. He promptly told me that he repented and will return to God and
his dad.
Then another friend of mine who was a cue stick maker offered
his services to help put the new felt on and repair the rails of the table. And
yet another pool player friend with a pool business donated a set of pool balls
and cue sticks. Word got out and three shows were scheduled at the Crossroads
Ministry Center on that pool table. One with inner city youth, another with the
homeless men of the Good Shepherd Mission, and another which literally launched
Gospel Trick Shot around the world.
That third one was with a group of about 150 students from about
a dozen colleges in the North Jersey area. Campus Pastor Ken Vander Wall of
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) set that one up and to this day is on
the Gospel Trick Shot Board of Directors. After that show I was invited to most
of those North Jersey campuses represented, and then word spread to other
colleges through the national IVCF network, which led to invitations around the
world as IVCF is an international organization.
Epilogue: Last month I did a show entitled “In Memory of Ella”
right on that same pool table we fixed back in 1996 which launched GTS. Here we
are 18 years later coming full circle back to Paterson, NJ on
that same table to share once again with the inner city youth! To God be the
glory, great things he has done! Please help us to continue to reach the inner
city youth and those who need Christ this Christmas!
**
In Memory Of Ella Fuehring
Pool pro and teacher-to-the-best Steve Lillis
shares sad yet hopeful news today on his granddaughter’s passing, along
with the latest GTS web updates.
**
On October 12 our dear granddaughter Elizabeth “Ella” Rose
Fuehring, 2½ years old, went home to be with the Lord Jesus. My mom, Ellie
Lillis Arntson, 86 years old, went home to be with the Lord in January of this
year and today as I write this it is October 29th which would have been Mom’s
87th birthday. The picture that my niece Christina had in her mind was
that Mom was holding Ella in her arms in heaven the day she departed
earth. What a beautiful picture that all of us who know Christ will be
reunited with loved ones.
From an earthly perspective the colliding of two buses with
Ella, our daughter Sarah, and her friend Joanna crushed between them was a
total disaster. Sarah will perhaps be six months before she can walk again
and Joanna is about in the same condition, damage having been done to their
hips and legs.
We rejoice that our grandson Jayden six years old was lagging
far enough behind that he was not struck by the buses but did however see the
whole thing including seeing his sister Ella lying on the ground having
instantly departed from this world. Again from an earthly perspective this
was a disaster! However, knowing, Christ we can be assured that God has a
plan to cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28).
The good has already started as the past two days I was
privileged to do my Gospel Trick Shot Shows at two locations with a new show
entitled “In Memory of Ella”. I believe the Lord came to me in a dream on
October 22nd at 4:30 am as I began to perform this show while dreaming of doing
trick shots and speaking about Ella.
I woke up half way through the dream and just sat up in my bed
continuing to visualize shots and thinking about what I would say. On
October 27th I went to the Players Billiards Café in Eatontown, NJ and did this
show for about 25 men from a local church along with another 120 APA pool
league players there that night to compete. The next night on October
28th, I went to the Crossroads Ministry Center in Paterson, NJ to do the same show
“In Memory of Ella” for about 25 young boys and leaders in a Royal Rangers
church group with another five friends of mine in attendance.
I performed this particular show last night in Paterson on the
very table I started my ministry on some 18 years ago when I lived, worked, and
ministered in Paterson, NJ. A friend of mine helped to repair the table
back then and we both chipped in for the cost. And now here we are some 20
countries later, 30 states later, and over 1,000 Gospel Trick Shot Shows later,
returning to Paterson with a new show entitled “In Memory of Ella”.
Needless to say people were deeply moved as I shared and lives
were touched by the Lord Jesus Christ as an invitation to join my Mom and Ella
in heaven was given. God has put in my heart to continue to share this all
over the world and by His grace I will. We have received four more
invitations in the last 48 hours and we have a GTS board member Rob Boswell
over in the Philippines now making plans for us to go back there. Please
pray so that Gospel Trick Shot can go and share the story of Ella and more
importantly share the story of Jesus!
GTS Calendar
2014-15
>Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 School Semesters (TBD) – GTS shows
at Passaic County Community College, William Paterson University, and Newark
Rutgers working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
>11/1/14 – 11/18/14 – GTS board member Rob Boswell in the
Philippines helping to plan for possible 2015 and 2017 GTS outreaches in Manila
and Laguna, Philippines working with various churches, missionaries, and para
church ministries.
>11/15/14 – GTS Booth at the Legacy Minded Man Conference at
Christ Church in Rockaway, NJ 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.
>12/6/14 – Wounded Warrior 9 Ball Charity Tournament at a TAP
event at Fusco’s The Spot, 4432 E. Bristol Rd, Suite 6, Trevose, PA 19053.
>December 2014/January 2015 (TBD) – GTS Winter Tour in
Arizona and California with GTS shows and meeting with sponsors and supporting
churches.
>3/21/15 (TBD) – GTS Show and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh
Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA.
>4/16/15 – 4/19/15 – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo with 9 Ball
competition, GTS Shows, Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible Studies.
>May/June 2015 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines with Word of
Life Laguna with Billiards and Bible Camp and USA high school soccer
team. GTS shows in and around Manila working with Word of Life
missionaries.
>July 2015 (TBD) – BCA Pool League Annual 8 Ball
Championships with various amateur and pro tournaments, sponsor booths, GTS
Bible studies, GTS shows and Bobble Ball challenges in sponsor booth.
>Summer 2017 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines working with
Church Multiplication Conference (CMC) by doing Gospel Trick Shot outreaches in
conjunction with teams from the CNC.
“But You Must! The Steve Lillis
Story” is also now available as an ebook at www.amazon.com for
only $2.99. Just type in the words “Gospel Trick Shot”. You can
also order a paperback copy.
**
GTS Finishes Summer Tour In New Jersey
Our friends at Gospel Trick Shot
Ministries are on the move again. Here are there summer/fall updates for 2014.
**
GTS Calendar 2014 – 2015: changes and additions are forthcoming
> 10/3/14 – Steve Lillis will officiate the wedding of Jeremy
Kerlin and Leanna Gorrecht at 7:00 pm at the Lancaster Host Resort Expo Center
during a Keystone TAP Pool League event in Lancaster, PA with a Gospel Trick
Shot presentation included.
> 10/4/14 – GTS Booth at the Legacy Minded Man Conference at
the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.
> 10/10/14 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Vibrant
Faith Church of God, 851 E. 222 St, Bronx, NY at 7:30 pm on GTS portable pool
table.
> 10/12/14 – 10/18/14 – U.S. Open 9 Ball event in Norfolk, VA
with GTS RACK team members Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch and Tommy “TKFLA”
Kennedy.
> 10/17/14 – 10/19/14 – Steve and Camille Lillis at the
Annual HGC Missions Conference at the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
> 10/25/14 (TBD) – PA Wounded Warriors open 8 ball event at
the Bangor VFW, 202 Veterans Road, Bangor, PA 18013. One half of proceeds to PA
Wounded Warriors.
> 10/28/14 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at the Crossroads
Ministry at 7:30 pm as part of the Madison Ave Christian Reformed Church in
Paterson, NJ.
> Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 School Semesters (TBD) – GTS
shows at Passaic County Community College, William Paterson University, and
Newark Rutgers working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
> 11/15/14 – GTS Booth at the Legacy Minded Man Conference at
Christ Church in Rockaway, NJ 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.
> 12/6/14 (TBD) – Wounded Warrior 9 Ball Charity Tournament
at a TAP event at Fusco’s The Spot, 4432 E. Bristol Rd, Suite 6, Trevose, PA
19053.
> 3/21/15 (TBD) – GTS Show and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh
Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA.
> 4/16/15 – 4/19/15 (TBD) – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo with
9 Ball competition, GTS Shows, Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible Studies.
> May or July 2015 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines with
Word of Life Laguna with Billiards and Bible Camp and USA high school soccer
team. GTS shows in and around Manila working with Word of Life missionaries.
**
After an exciting summer tour that went from the desert of
Nevada in Las Vegas to New York and New Jersey beaches, with two trips to
Central Park in Manhattan as well, GTS concluded the summer tour with two more
shows back home in Northern New Jersey. What a wonderful time the folks had on
a Sunday morning in mid-September at the Metropolitan AME Zion Church in
Ridgewood, NJ!
The GTS professional
portable pool table was brought in for the Sunday morning service and Steve Lillis
preached the message from the pool table pulpit outdoors in the backyard of the
church on a perfect 70-degree sunshin-y day. Pastor Mack Brandon, a
professor of music at Ramapo College of New Jersey, led the worship.
Steve Lillis, professor of English at William Paterson
University and professional pool player and trick shot artist, did the
preaching. The outdoor Sunday morning service not only brought in extra
visitors to the Metropolitan AME Zion Church that Sunday morning, but had the
whole neighborhood tuned in to what God was doing in the backyard of this local
Ridgewood church! We praise God for his goodness!
The following weekend it was off to Clifton, NJ to the
Crossroads Church pastored by Willie Kirchhofer. The church also serves as a
cultural center for mainly Arab and Hispanic populations in the Paterson
Clifton area. Many ESL classes are conducted during the week and Pastor Willie
is always looking for a few more helpers to teach the many needy people coming
over from the Middle East and Central and South America trying to make it here
in the USA.
Steve Lillis did a Saturday evening show downstairs in the
cultural center. The pool table was donated by an anonymous donor through GTS
Board member Robert Tenny, who is a realtor and has access to abandoned pool
tables in excellent condition. The youth at the center enjoy the table and now
Steve had an opportunity to do his Gospel Trick Shot show.
Little did Steve know when the show was scheduled that his wife
Camille would end up in the hospital the night before. So on this night the
show was for Steve, as the people rallied
around Steve in prayer after he shared in the show what was
happening. God is so good as he provides just what we need at just the right
time! Camille is now out of the hospital and home recovering and doing just
fine! Thanks for all your prayers and support!
**
GTS Calendar 2014 –
2015: changes and additions are forthcoming
>9/2/14 – School begins for Steve Lillis at William Paterson
University in Wayne, NJ where he leads a faculty Bible study on Wednesdays at
8:30 am and teaches also at Kean University in Union, NJ.
>9/14/14 – GTS presentation at 11:00 am as part of the Sunday
service at Metropolitan AME Zion Church on 259 S. Broad St, Ridgewood, NJ.
>9/20/14 – GTS Show at 7:00 pm at Crossroads Church, 195
Piaget Ave., Clifton, NJ 07011. MEN ONLY. Lite refreshments served.
>10/4/14 – GTS Booth at the Legacy Minded Man Conference at
the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.
>10/12/14 – 10/18/14 (TBD) – U.S. Open 9 Ball event in
Norfolk, VA with GTS RACK room seminars and shows, tournament competition, and
GTS Bible studies.
>10/17/14 – 10/19/14 – The Annual HGC Missions Conference at
the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
>10/28/14 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at the Crossroads
Ministry at 7:30 pm as part of the Madison Ave Christian Reformed Church in
Paterson, NJ.
>Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 School Semesters (TBD) – GTS shows
at Passaic County Community College, William Paterson University, and Newark
Rutgers working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
>11/15/14 – GTS Booth at the Legacy Minded Man Conference at
Christ Church in Rockaway, NJ 8:30 am until 1:00 pm.
>3/21/15 (TBD) – GTS Show and 9 Ball
event with The Lehigh Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in
Whitehall, PA.
>4/16/15 – 4/19/15 (TBD) – Hopkins Super Billiards Expo with
9 Ball competition, GTS Shows, Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible Studies.
>May/June 2015 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines with Word of
Life Billiards and Bible Camp and World Intent shopping mall ministry with
billiards and live bands.
>June 2015 (TBD) – Jordan in the Middle East and Qatar in the
Arabian Peninsula for GTS Shows and World 9 Ball Championships.
***
Gospel Trick Shot
Ministries, Inc. (GTS) had a six week summer GTS outreach in the New York City
metro area and in Las Vegas starting in July and going through most of August
2014. The outreach tour stated in early July with a show for the Salvation Army
seniors at the Starr Lake recreational facility and retreat center in
Bloomingdale, NJ.
Seniors came in from Brooklyn, NY and were treated to a special
two hour show by Steve Lillis. Then Steve went off to Las Vegas for ten days to
attend the annual BCA Pool League event at the Rio where GTS teammates Mike
Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, and Jason “The Michigan Kid”
Lynch were on hand as well. Steve and Jason did shows in the McDermott Booth,
Mike in the Meucci Booth, and Tom did shows for the BCA Pool League. Steve,
Mike, and Tom immediately headed east to begin a two week New Jersey Shore GTS
outreach.
The GTS team stayed in the famous Ocean Grove Camp Meeting
Association Christian resort community that is part of the National Historical
Society. Public outdoor shows were done for eight days in a two week period on
the GTS portable pool table on the nearby famous Asbury Park Boardwalk and
another for the kids at Ocean Grove (see middle picture). In between those two
weeks at the Jersey Shore on the weekend of Aug 1 – 3 a partner’s artistic cup
was run by Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman which was located back up the Garden
State Parkway in Edison, NJ at Sandcastle Billiards the home of Pat Fleming’s famous
Accu-Stats Arena.
In addition to the cup competition a GTS show was done in the Accu-Stats Arena on
Saturday evening which featured an entertaining and spiritually encouraging
display of talent from the GTS team. GTS teammates Brian Pauley from Ohio,
Curtis “The Red Neck Cue Guy” Robertson from Texas, and Will
“The Gentleman” Deyonker from Michigan all attended the cup with
Brian Pauley joining the guys on the boardwalk as well.
After the Jersey Shore Steve Lillis did two more special shows
in New York City and one in Garfield, NJ. One was on the boardwalk at the
famous Jones Beach in Long Island and the other in famous Central Park in
Midtown Manhattan. The first picture shows some of the crowd strolling around
on a Saturday afternoon with Steve Lillis performing on the GTS portable pool
table in Central Park in Mid-August. In Garfield, NJ Steve was joined by
another up and coming Gospel Trick Shot artist named Michael Goras.
Mike teamed up with Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman in the Partner’s Cup to take third place. Michael is a 2008
graduate of the Hawthorne Christian Academy and is the youngest member of our
team. See the last picture as Michael is the third from the right in the
picture. Michael recalls the day Steve Lillis came to his high school back in
2008 as part of a chapel service. Both Steve and Tom helped train Michael on
this summer tour, and in the final show of the summer with his former principle
named Don Klingen looking on, Michael made his debut as a Gospel Trick Shot
artist in Garfield, NJ.
Many hurting people were ministered to all summer in the love of
Jesus and folks had a great time experiencing the “joy of the roll”
while hearing important “life lessons” as they watched several GTS
shows. The Gospel was
clearly presented in each show and over 1,000 salvation
bracelets along with hundreds of pieces of Christian literature were given out.
Special thanks to our GTS teammates who donated their time, their talent, and
their treasure to be a special part of this outreach to the folks of metro New
York City and beyond. Thanks to all our many sponsors and prayer warriors who
helped make this all possible. God bless!
**
Gospel Trick Shots News for July 2014News For July
Get involved with some of the top pool trick shot artists in the
world… Jesus Loves the Jersey Shore! Here is our exciting summer schedule for
the Jersey Shore! There are many ways that you can be involved.
Monday July 14 – Free GTS outreach training session with GTS
board member Rob Boswell in the Bible House Lounge (bottom floor of Bible
House) at the Hawthorne Gospel Church from 7:00 – 10:00 pm. We will make
provision for donations for the tee shirts and evangicubes (not required).
Other free outreach materials will be available.
Saturday July 19 – Second free outreach training session but
similar to the first with GTS board member Rob Boswell in the Bible House
Lounge (bottom floor of Bible House) at the Hawthorne Gospel Church from 9:00 –
12:00 Noon. We will again make provision for donations for tee shirts and
evangicubes (not required). Other free outreach materials will be available.
Sunday July 27 – GTS RACK Team
arrival to the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association property and facilities in
Ocean Grove, NJ. Pick up GTS RACK Team at Newark Airport as needed.
Monday July 28 – Friday August 1 – Bible studies with top local
speakers in the Ocean Grove Tabernacle 9:00 – 10:00 am every day and GTS Shows
(TBA) on the GTS portable pool table in the Ocean Grove Boardwalk Pavilion
during the daytime before 3:00.
Monday July 28 – Thursday July 31 – GTS shows each evening 4:30
– 8:30 pm on the GTS portable pool table on the Asbury Park Boardwalk with
music, face painting, special guests, and a team van coming each day from the
Hawthorne Gospel Church bringing trained outreach helpers.
Monday July 28 – Thursday July 31 – Van leaves from the
Hawthorne Gospel Church parking lot at 2:00 pm and returns 10:00 pm daily. Must
be signed up and trained. Trained people can sign up for one or more days of
outreach (donations accepted for gas and tolls).
Friday August 1 – Mike Massey
videotaping at 9:30 am in the Hawthorne Gospel Church studio for the “He
is First” website. Artistic Pool players arrive and are picked up at
Newark Airport for the weekend competition. Artistic Pool players get settled
in hotel rooms with practice and prep at Sandcastle Billiards.
Saturday August 2 – Sunday August 3 – Artistic Partners Cup
event (see www.drcuepromotions.com for more details) at Sandcastle Billiards in
Edison, NJ on Saturday and Sunday starting at 9:00 am with a GTS RACK Team Show
on Saturday night at 7:00 pm, and on Sunday we begin with a RACK Room Chapel
Service at 9:00 am in the pool room. Artistic Pool players will get a ride back
to Newark Airport Sunday evening if needed. Other people attending for this
weekend must make their own travel arrangements.
Monday August 4 – Friday Aug 8 – Bible studies with top local
speakers in the Ocean Grove Tabernacle 9:00 – 10:00 am every day and GTS Shows
TBA on the GTS portable pool table in the Ocean Grove Boardwalk Pavilion during
the daytime before 3:00.
Monday August 4 – Thursday August 7 – GTS shows each evening
4:30 – 8:30 pm on the GTS portable pool table on the Asbury Park Boardwalk with
music, face painting, special guests, and a team van coming each day from the
Hawthorne Gospel Church bringing trained outreach helpers.
Friday August 8 – Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman videotaping at
9:30 am in the Hawthorne Gospel Church studio for the “He is First”
website. Begin departures for the GTS RACK Team stationed in Ocean Grove.
Return GTS portable pool table to garage in Hackensack, NJ before 6:00 pm.
GTS Calendar For Fall 2014
>7/1/14 – GTS presentation at Van Dyk’s Park Place on Goffle Road
in Hawthorne, NJ @ 4:00 pm. Visitors check in at the front desk!
>7/8/14 – Salvation Army Gospel Trick Shot
show at 6:30 pm for the seniors at the Star Lake facility in the
main building recreation center in Bloomingdale, NJ
>7/14/14 – Free GTS outreach training with Pastor Rob Boswell
and Steve Lillis for Asbury Park 7:00 – 10:00 pm in Bible House Lounge at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church.
>7/19/14 – Free GTS outreach training with Pastor Rob Boswell
for Asbury Park 9:00 am – 12:00 Noon in Bible House Lounge at the Hawthorne
Gospel Church.
>7/15/14 – 7/23/14 – Annual BCA Nationals and World Artistic
Pool Championships with Bobble Ball and GTS Shows in the McDermott Booth, with
Bible studies and various tournaments and exhibitions.
>7/28/14 – 8/8/14 – GTS Asbury Park outreach on boardwalk
4:30-8:30 pm, van leaving Hawthorne Gospel Church parking lot daily 2:00 pm and
returning 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday. Part of the Jesus Loves Jersey
Campaign and working with Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
>8/2/14 – 8/3/14 – GTS Outreach & Dr. Cue Classic
“Artistic Partners” Cup @Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, NJ. Starts 9:00 am
each morning with 7:00 pm GTS show on 8/2.
>8/11/14 – The band shell at Jones Beach on
Long Island, NY 5:00 – 10:00 pm with GTS Shows working alongside of Arise New
York outreach.
>8/16/14 – The 72nd street band shell in Central Park in
Manhattan 10:00 – 3:00 pm with GTS Shows working alongside of Arise New York
outreach.
>8/16/14 – 8/23/14 (TBD) – APA Nationals with GTS Shows,
Bobble Ball, and Bible studies in sponsor venue at the Riviera Hotel in Las
Vegas, NV.
>9/12/14 – 9/14/14 (TBD) – American 14.1 Straight Pool
Championship at Diamond Billiards in Midlothian, VA
>10/12/14 – 10/18/14 – U.S. Open 9 Ball event in Norfolk, VA
with GTS booth and outreach, tournament competition, and GTS Bible studies.
>10/17/14 – 10/19/14 – The Annual HGC Missions Conference at
the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
>10/23/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS shows and booth at the CSRM
(Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry) Summit in Charlotte, NC.
>March 2015 (TBD) – Hopkins Super
Billiards Expo with 9 Ball competition, GTS Shows, Bobble Ball, and GTS Bible
Studies.
>April 2015 (TBD) – GTS Show and 9 Ball event with The Lehigh
Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lane in Whitehall, PA
>June 7 – 28, 2015 (TBD) – Return to the Philippines with
Word of Life, World Intent, and AIA ministries using billiards, soccer,
basketball, and live music bands.
**
Prayer, Pool And Power
Steve Lillis’s new book, But You Must! The Steve Lillis Story, is now available as
an eBook and as a paperback.
**
“Prayer and Pool” by Steve
Lillis
This past month has been a very busy time for Gospel Trick Shot Ministries,
Inc. Just last night my pastor was talking about prayer and today as I write
this newsletter I am marveling at how the power of prayer that has sustained
GTS over the years and particularly this past month of ministry. I have been
using social media like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter for the past few years
mainly to solicit prayer warriors from around the world.
GTS has about 3,000 followers on those social media sites and many of them
pray regularly as I post the prayer needs before every GTS outreach event. I
also pray twice a week on the prayer call with the Legacy Minded Men and have
been attending the Wednesday night prayer meeting at my home church the
Hawthorne Gospel Church for the past 25 years since1989.
March started with yet another trip out to Arizona to attend to family
business as we are all still reeling from the passing of my precious Mom on
January 22. This was our third trip out to Arizona in the past three months.
One was planned the other two were quite unexpected because of Mom. My wife
Camille and I have been developing friendships around my Mom’s neighborhood in
Peoria, AZ for years. However, lately the friendships have been special because
of obvious circumstances.
One such couple Hal and Marilyn live five houses down the street from Mom
and started a Bible study in their home this past January. While Camille and I
were out there in early January I did a neighborhood Gospel Trick Shot Show in
the community billiard lounge to help advertise the Bible study and share the Good
News of Jesus Christ, that trusting Jesus gives eternal life. The Bible
study launched and after we left we stayed in touch by email and prayer. Then
Mom passed and we returned not once but twice to the neighborhood and stayed
with our grieving step father Ron. Please keep him in prayer!
On the second trip the Lord through prayer placed an outreach on my heart to
work with Hal who also leads a Bible study at the Salvation Army in Downtown
Phoenix, AZ. So on the third trip out, we replaced Hal’s Salvation Army Bible
study with a Gospel Trick Shot Show. The room was packed with spiritually
hungry men and more wanted to come in but were turned away because of space
limitations. The Gospel was shared and hearts were stirred. Upon leaving I was
asked to come back and reach the other men in the Salvation Army facility who
did not have a chance to attend. Praise God for the power of prayer!
Then back home to Jersey for an exciting chain of GTS events. First event up
was the annual Hopkins
Super Billiards Expo with about 8,000 pool players in attendance at the New
Jersey Expo and Convention Center in Edison, NJ. I was in the McDermott Booth
once again as they have been faithful GTS partners for the past three years.
The founders of the company Jim and Marilyn McDermott went home to be with the
Lord shortly after my Mom and the couple died 18 days apart. A fitting end to a
fantastic love story as a couple! So fueled by the power of prayer I did a
total of six Gospel Trick Shot Shows over a three day span and gave tribute to
the Christian legacies left by Jim and Marilyn and my Mom.
In between shows we played Bobble Ball in the McDermott Booth which
attracted many players and fans which led to further conversations about the
Lord Jesus. GTS would like to again thank the good people at McDermott Cue
Manufacturing Company for the gracious hospitality that they offer GTS. All my
pool playing equipment that I now play with is provided by McDermott.
By the way, I attended another event this month called the New Jersey State
One Pocket Championships which had top players from the surrounding Tri-State
area and I finished in second place. I got all the way to the finals to play a
young top player who said to me before we played that he just finished reading
my new book, But You Must! and it really touched him. We had a great
match that went down to the final game as he edged me out and then embraced one
another with the love of the Lord!
Another March event was a GTS Show at the Greater Life Community Center in
Newark, NJ with Director Scott Davis and the Newark youth. This is a youth
center located in a very difficult neighborhood across the street from
Weequahic High School. Those familiar with this area know that help and prayer
is greatly needed.
Scott has been challenged particularly the past few weeks as suicide, drug
violence, and hopelessness has escalated. This GTS presentation had been
planned for one year as a pool table needed to be donated and set up through
GTS and with GTS helpers Michael and Robert Tenny doing the grunt work it
finally came to pass. Before the show much prayer went out through social
media, LMM prayer call, and the Wednesday evening Hawthorne Gospel Church
prayer group.
When I got to Newark, Scott and I lay prostrate crying out to God on the
floor of his office for the Lord to work that night in the hearts of the Newark
youth. God worked mightily in the show as Scott remarked after, “Steve
I have seen you do many shows before when I was an IVCF campus worker in the
colleges in Newark, but this was the best one I have ever witnessed.”
Praise God for the power of prayer!
GTS Calendar 2014
04/10/14 – Star 991 Business Networking Breakfast 8:00 – 10:00 am at the
Olde Mill Inn, 225 US 202, Basking Ridge, New Jersey.
04/19/14 – GTS Show and 9 Ball event starting at 11:00 am with The Lehigh
Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA.
05/4/14 – “Arise New York Concert” in Central Park in Manhattan with Gospel
Trick Shot Shows on the portable pool table from Noon to 3:00 pm.
06/3/14 –
Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Van Dyk’s Park Place assisted living on
Goffle Road in Hawthorne, NJ at 4:00 pm.
06/25/14 – 6/27/14 (TBD) – BCA Summit in Louisville, KY at the Billiard and
Leisure Sports Expo in the Kentucky International Convention Center with Gospel
Trick Shot shows and networking with the billiard industry.
06/28/14 – 7/6/14 (TBD) – Steve and Camille Lillis traveling to Cedar Falls,
IA for Ellie Lillis Arntson Memorial Service with GTS Shows in route.
07/8/14 – Salvation Army Gospel
Trick Shot show for the seniors at the Star Lake facility in Bloomingdale,
NJ.
07/16/14 – 7/26/14 (TBD) – Annual BCA Nationals with GTS Shows and Bible
studies with tournament competition.
07/27/14 – 8/8/14 – GTS Asbury Park outreach on the boardwalk working with
the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA), The Hawthorne Gospel Church,
Calvary Chapel in Old Bridge, and the Jesus Loves Jersey Campaign.
08/2/14 – 8/3/14 – GTS Outreach and the Dr. Cue Classic “Artistic Partners”
Cup at Sandcastle Billiards in Edison, NJ.
08/15/14 – 8/24/14 (TBD) – World Firefighters Convention in Los Angeles with
billiard tournament competition and Gospel Trick Shot Shows in addition to GTS
Shows at local Los Angeles churches.
08/14/14 – 8/23/14 (TBD) – Annual APA Nationals with GTS Shows and Bible
studies with tournament competition and Bobble Ball in sponsor venue booth at
the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
10/12/14 – 10/18/14 – U.S. Open 9 Ball event with GTS
booth and outreach, tournament competition, and GTS Bible studies.
10/17/14 – 10/19/14 – The Annual HGC Missions Conference at the Hawthorne Gospel
Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
10/23/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS shows and booth at the CSRM (Christian Sports
and Recreation Ministry) Summit in Charlotte, NC.
**
Great Trick Shot Artists On Tour Near You
I laughed until I cried at one of these exhibitions and saw
mind-blowing trick shots also. Check them out and get a table-side seat:
Trick
Shot Calendar Of Events
Photo courtesy of GTS
Amazing Trick Shots – See Them Near You
Some of the finest
trick shot artists in the world are on tour near you! Check out
their calendar.
GTS Calendar 2013-14 (changes and additions are forthcoming)
>2/19/14 – GTS Show at Van Dyk’s Park Place in Hawthorne, NJ at 4 pm.
>3/13/14 – 3/16/14 – Annual Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in Edison, NJ
with GTS shows, Bible studies, and tournament competition.
>March/April 2014 (TBD) – GTS
RACK Team led by Wayne Parker in Nairobi, Kenya for outreach, training, and
repairs on GTS pool table.
>4/19/14 – GTS Show and 9 Ball event starting at 11:00 am with The Lehigh
Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes in Whitehall, PA.
>May/June (TBD) – Steve and Camille Lillis traveling to Cedar Falls, IA
for Ellie Lillis Arntson Memorial Service with GTS Shows along the way.
>June/July 2014 (TBD) – Asbury Park, NJ summer boardwalk GTS outreach
with the GTS portable pool table partnering with Calvary Chapel Old Bridge and
the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
>7/16/14 – 7/26/14 (TBD) – Annual BCA Nationals with GTS Shows and Bible
studies with tournament competition.
>7/30/14 – 8/10/14 (TBD) – Ukraine and Russia for GTS Shows with Steve
Lillis and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman working with various Russian churches,
Christian Bridge International, and Spiritual Diplomacy.
>8/15/14 – 8/24/14 (TBD) – World Firefighters Convention in Los Angeles
with billiard tournament competition and Gospel Trick Shot Shows in addition to
GTS Shows at local Los Angeles churches.
>8/14/14 – 8/23/14 (TBD) – Annual APA Nationals with GTS Shows and Bible
studies with tournament competition and Bobble Ball in sponsor venue booth at
the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.
>8/24/14 – Leadership Marriage Communication Comedy at the First Baptist
Church at 27 Mowbray Rd, Northallerton. London, UK with Steve Lillis as one of
the featured speakers.
>10/12/14 – 10/18/14 (TBD) – U.S. Open 9 Ball event with GTS outreach.
>10/17/14 – 10/19/14 (TBD) – Annual HGC Missions Conference at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
>10/23/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS
shows and booth at the CSRM (Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry)
Summit in Charlotte, NC.
>December 2014 (TBD) – GTS shows in the Phoenix area working with the
Salvation Army, Phoenix 1stAssembly of God, Community of Grace Church, Ventana
Lakes, and River City Pockets.
Pool and billiards have declined in recent years in the number of participants,
something we can discuss at About.com and which needs to be shared. But it is a
generational legacy sport and today we celebrate a special lady who inspired
good friends to create the GTS tour group that travels worldwide as pool and
ministry ambassadors.
Steve
Lillis Update – Mom was truly the inspiration behind Gospel Trick Shot as
in the beginning back in the 1990’s she would help book many of the GTS shows
while traveling around the country with Dad as missionaries with SOWERS
(Servants on Wheels Ever Ready to Serve).
This past month Camille and I spent the first two weeks visiting with Mom
and Stepdad Ron in their home in Arizona. Mom had me look at hours of home
video and photo albums reminiscing and celebrating the life of our family.
I attached three album pictures. It was almost as if she knew this would be our
last visit.
Then just one week later she fell into a coma and I spent the next week in
Arizona saying good bye to Mom in a hospice facility with my family. Thanks
Mom, for leading me to Jesus, and demonstrating how to live life to the fullest
while bringing glory to God along the way!
Eleanor “Ellie” Lillis Arntson, 87 of Peoria,
Arizona passed into the loving arms of Jesus on January 22, 2014 at Banner
Hospice unit in Peoria Arizona. She was born in Bronx, New York to William and
LuLu Stetter on October 29, 1926.
She married William Lillis in 1947. They had four children: Stephen,
Kristine, Janet and William, Jr. William Lillis died in 1997 and Ellie married
Ronald Arntson of Cedar Falls, Iowa in 2002. Ron lost his wife Norma of 45
years in 1999 and had two sons together: Brian and John.
Ellie was a devoted wife and mother. Her life revolved around her family.
She suffered a severe stroke in 2002 shortly after her marriage to Ron. In
spite of her physical limitations, her zest for life was never diminished. She
met her challenges with courage and was an inspiration to all. Her radiant
smile well forever be remembered as a symbol of how, with
God’s help, one can rise above adversity and find joy in life.
She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Ron; 4 children: Stephen
Lillis (Camille) of Haledon, NJ, Kristine Ozgar (Robert) of Finksburg, MD,
Janet Curl (Michael) of Windsor, CA, William Lillis (Bridget) of Downingtown,
PA: 2 stepsons: Brian Arntson (Shelly) of Cedar Falls, IA, John Arntson
(Brenda) of Cedar Falls, IA; 9 grandchildren : Robert, Mark, Katie, Amanda,
Sarah, Christina, Corinne, Brooke and Austin; and 6 great grandchildren.
Preceded in death by husband William Lillis, 2 brothers: William Stetter,
Warren Stetter, and Sister Helen Schwartz.
**
Trick
Shot Action
I had “a ball” at two nights of trick shot
competition and exhibition this week. Check out all the action!
At
The Cup
Photo courtesy of LatinContent/Getty Images
Artistic
Cup VII – Trick Shots And Goofing Off Galore
I had a blast teaching, and laughing till I cried, at the follow-up to Artistic
Cup VII this week, and watched amazing things like four-rail wing shots and
a 14-ball trick shot. More from the scene below…
…It was more fun than a barrel of monkeys the first night I attended the
Gospel Trick Shots show to follow up the conclusion of the exciting Artistic
Cup VII competition. My buddies Steve
“Leapin” Lillis and Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch put
on a show, with Jason doing quite a show even before showtime officially began.
Jason, holder of several pool records in the Guinness book, enjoyed showing
off what are for him seemingly easy shots, like jumping a cue ball nearly the
length of the table with draw into a ball on the rail, then watching it massé
draw back to pocket another ball over eight feet distant in the corner! Later
in the evening, Jason shared his walk through great personal tragedy and how
God is helping him persevere in faith and life. The audience was greatly moved.
For my part, I had the unfortunate experience of needing to follow an artist
who balanced a bowling ball on his head while shooting pool one handed and
busting balloons with darts. How was I to follow his act?
“Folks, I want you to know how committed my brother is to sharing
the gospel with you tonight,” I began. “He’s had a hole
drilled atop his head to hold a bowling ball there for you. Last night, he was
playing pool at a bowling alley with two tables. He broke a rack of Nine
Balland scored the nine on the break, then sneezed and made a strike
on a nearby lane when the bowling ball fell off his head.” The
audience broke up. The ice broken, I could begin on an even footing.
*****
Night two of the festivities and the astonishing Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman put on what could only be called a spectacular show, including comedy
shots, wing
shots, reverse wing shots (where an object ball is shot to contact a
rolling cue ball before sinking, wing banks and reverse wing banks, one-handed
wing shots, and even wing four-rail shots!
Dr. Cue also brought a custom-made cue he built that he cocks like a bow and
arrow to shoot automatically without the player making a stroke. He then
proceeding to score all sorts of shots with it one-handed. Tom cracked jokes
the whole time he was doing shots (“What’s your name kid?” [Child
gives name.] “Yes, that is correct! Remember that in case I call on
you later!” and
after a missed shot, “See that trick shot safety?”) and his
was a great beginning to the evening’s itinerary.
Mike “Tennessee Tarzan” Massey, likely the best known living trick
shot artist, preached, played the guitar and sang! Steve Lillis performed a
classic Willie Mosconi 6-ball shot, then an 8-ball and finally an awesome
14-ball trick shot.
My pal Tom Kennedy, aka “The Juggler”, aka “TK FLA”
showed up last minute and juggled 11 balls on the pool table–and at high
speed. Then he spoke to the crowd on the evils of gambling and on trusting
Jesus for salvation, taking his sermon from the parable of the tax collector
and the pharisee of Luke 18. Kennedy is known throughout the U.S. for
abstaining from opportunities to earn thousands of dollars at legal calcutta
auction-style events. He gives up easy money to help maintain true integrity to
enhance his personal message.
Donny
Lutz had given me a photo of his old VNEA team, then one of the strongest
in the nation, to share with the fellows. Mike Massey remembered the team and
Massey and Kennedy were very excited to see Louis Lemke in the photo, a great
player (BCA nationwide champ in 1984) and fine gentleman who passed in 1999.
I also toted a vintage cue a friend found online, one which he’d even had
x-rayed at a dentist’s office to see if we might learn which classic cue maker
formed this beauty that resembles the work of legend George
Balabushka. Mike Massey and I discussed the cue for a while before he
examined it minutely for a few minutes, looking at the beautiful handmade
points, running his hand along its length and remarking on the thickness and
taper of the shaft.
Mike then said his best guess is the cue was made by Frank Paradise. As a
former Paradise cue owner myself, I’m not as certain but it certainly is a
valuable cue. Kennedy agreed the cue was worth a pretty penny. He hit the cue
and banked a bunch of balls with it without a miss and said it is a great
hitting cue. I said thanks to him since now my friend can sell it at an upgrade
as Kennedy’s playing cue with his endorsement!
Kennedy is now representing Chris
Nitti’s cues now and had some gorgeous examples he’s playing with lately,
even as he awaits a new Nitti on order that will be worth thousands of dollars
when it’s completed.
Oh, and I did my thing the second night as well, opening with throwing a
ball out near the spot and one hanging in the far corner pocket, then shooting
the cue ball into the spot ball and pocketing all three balls in two pockets,
the spot ball banking down the long rail. I finished my routing about 15
minutes later with some of the throw the
cue trick shots I invented.
**
Trick
Shot Competition Opens To You, And To Me
I
have an invite to compete at Artistic Cup VII this month here in Florida and
you do also. With a $150 entry fee and money added, even last place is worth
$125 so here’s your chance to hang with some of the world’s finest trick shot
artists for a weekend!
Check
out the details below and contact me if you’d like more information on lodging,
transportation, the competition, etc. or just to say hi and meet me and the
gang at the event:
The Artistic Cup VII Heats
Up
Photo
courtesy of Tim Chin
Trick Shot Exhibition
– Artistic Cup VII Competition
The
itinerary follows for the Artistic Cup VII competition to be held
Friday-Sunday, December 13-15:
Confirmed Artistic Cup Weekend Special Guests &
Presenters
The event will be staged under a big tent
and inside the poolroom “Pockets” at 301 NW Cole Terrace, Lake City,
Florida, telephone (USA) 386-438-5763. For more information and/or to enter to
compete in the Artistic Cup please visit Tom and Marty Rossman’s website.
The Artistic Cup VII competition runs from
Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. There are several spots available
for wild card entries if anyone would like to enter starting Friday with the
3:00 PM or 5:00 PM EST opening rounds. There is also a series of teaching
videos available to learn the artistic pool shot program of trick shots.
For those able to attend early there is a
RACK Room fellowship from 8:00 to 9:00 AM on Sunday morning prior to the final
day of artistic pool competition. Then the Gospel Trick Shot outreach
officially begins on Sunday evening, December 15.
Full Schedule Of Lake City Events
December 15, Sunday
5:00 – 7:00 PM – Dinner, welcome to all,
introduction of the Gospel Trick Shot friends and helpers
7:00 – 9:00 PM – GTS outreach team partnering,
including a teaser round of shot making and impromptu fun and sharing
December 16, Monday
9:00 – 10:00 AM – Breakfast with Pastor
Rodney Fontaine and devotion under the big tent
10:00 – 10:30 AM – Break Time
10:30 – 11:30 AM – Jason Lynch will be
presenting on McDermott Cues and on strategy for welcoming billiards partners
to participate in GTS outreach opportunities. Discussion and planning with all
participants all under the big top tent to follow.
11:30 AM – 12:30 PM – Hear about GTS
overseas experiences and testimonies
12:30 – 1:30 PM – Luncheon under the big
tent including a Bible-based devotional time
1:30 – 2:00 PM – Break
2:00 – 3:00 PM – Tom Rossman seminar on the
essentials of being a champion in your game and life
3:00 – 4:00 PM – Steve Lillis seminar on
cross-cultural ministry using pool and billiards
4:00 – 5:00 PM – Pastor Rodney Fontaine on
spiritual growth
5:00 – 5:30 PM – Break
5:30 – 6:30 PM – Dinner under the big tent
with a devotion led by a member of Hopeful Baptist Church
6:30 – 7:00 PM – Break
7:00 – 9:00 PM – GTS Show with outreach
team
December 17, Tuesday
9:00 – 10:30 AM – Breakfast and devotion
led by Steve Lillis, check out and departure for GTS members
**
I received the following lovely letter in
my box this morning. Please sign on if you would like to participate with me
this month!
Dear [pro’s name withheld] and Matt
“Quick Draw” Sherman:Both of you are distinguished as billiard
professionals in the Florida area and beyond. I would like to invite you both
personally to compete in the Artistic Cup in Lake City, FL which begins on
Friday 12/13 with opening rounds at 3:00 and 5:00 PM and runs through Sunday
afternoon 12/15.We only have three spots left to compete
for the over $5,000 in added prize money by Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman our
sponsor. The entry fee is $150 and last place pays $125. So in effect it will
cost not more than $25 for a weekend of competition and learning. Plus you both
with your skill levels can walk away with some money. Best deal in pool these
days!The 40-shot program is designed like a
round of golf to be undertaken in sequential order for lowest possible score
(fewest strokes). There are eight disciplines with five shots selected for each
discipline. Going through this program will teach you all the fundamentals you
need for trick shots and like so many others you will have the opportunity to
come away with enough material to develop your own trick shot shows for future
use.Online there is an excellent teaching40-shot teaching videoby Pro
Trick Shot Artist Tim “The Dragon” Chin. All you need to do is play
the video nearby a pool table and take the shots one time through and you will
get it.Tim covers the setups, the execution of the
shots, and the adjustments needed if you miss. Hope to see you both there!
Christmas Blessings, Steve LillisPS. I know we will see you there Matt
Sunday evening and [name withheld] you are always welcome to come and do your
thing for the glory of God as always!
**
GTS Updates For November/December 2013
Please enjoy the most recent Gospel Trick Shots
news about their Brooklyn Coffee House Gospel Trick Shot show with music–and a
Honeymooners skit! Please pray for
their calendar items below as well.
To contact GTS direct or to contribute and
volunteer, write GTS, P.O. Box 313, Hawthorne, NJ 07507.
Wishing you Happy Holidays and God bless
from About.com and Steve Lillis, President and Founder at GospelTrickShot.org.
**
But You Must! The Steve Lillis Story is now available as an ebook at Amazon-search under the
words “Gospel Trick Shot”. Don’t miss this exciting autobiography
from Steve, a pastor and world-traveling evangelist who is also a professional
pool player.
But You Must! is a “…must read story of joy, pain, obsession, and
life changing moments both on and off of the pool table.” — Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman, World Artistic Pool Champion
**
Brooklyn,
The Honeymooners, And Gospel Trick Shot Ministries
It’s not often that we see or hear the
results to our prayers so I thought that I would include a report of our recent
Saturday night 11/23/13 Gospel Trick Shot coffee house event in Brooklyn, NY at
a Calvary Chapel named Horizon Christian Fellowship.
By the way, we had the GTS portable pool
table manufactured by Fred and Devra Robledo who also go to a Calvary Chapel in
the Los Angeles area. Yes from Los Angeles to Brooklyn, God is working with
billiards!
At the Brooklyn coffee house we had worship
music led by a couple from a Calvary Chapel in Manhattan and a Honeymooners
pool table skit put together by the Brooklyn Calvary Chapel people. Honeymooner
fans of Jackie Gleason and Art Carney might remember that all the scenes were
crafted around life in-yes–Brooklyn, NY. Jackie Gleason played a lot of pool
and was a Straight Pool expert and included it
often in his own skits.
After the Honeymooners skit I did a full
one hour Gospel Trick Shot Show and lives were changed for the glory of God.
Many stood in line to get an autographed copy of my new book and shared with me
how the show encouraged them in their life struggles. As some of you already
know the book “But You Must!” is about God helping me through my own
personal struggles.
To God be the glory and thanks for your
many prayers and support! Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New
Year! God bless you, Steve Lillis…
**
GTS
Calendar 2013-14 – changes and additions are forthcoming
>12/9/13 – Steve and Camille Lillis
attending the annual Van Dyk Christmas Dinner for volunteers at the Brownstone
in Paterson, NJ.
>12/12/13 – 12/17/13 – Artistic Cup VII
and Gospel Trick Shot Outreach at Pockets Pool Hall in Lake City, Florida with
members of the GTS RACK Team with RACK Room fellowship and GTS outreach
starting Sunday evening 12/15 after Cup VII with ten GTS outreach presenters.
>12/21/13 (TBD) – GTS Christmas Show at
Clifton Billiards in Clifton, NJ.
>12/31/13 – 1/9/14 – Steve and Camille
in Phoenix, AZ visiting family and GTS individual supporters and supporting
churches.
>1/13/14 – Spring semesters start at
William Paterson University and Kean University with Steve leading a Faculty
Bible Study at WPU with possible GTS shows at both campuses working with IVCF
and Cru.
>March/April 2014 (TBD) – GTS RACK Team
led by Wayne Parker in Nairobi, Kenya for outreach, training, and repairs on
GTS pool table.
>March/April 2014 – Annual Hopkins Super
Billiards Expo in Edison, NJ with GTS shows, Bible studies, and tournament
competition.
>4/19/14 – GTS Show and 9 Ball event
starting at 11:00 am with The Lehigh Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes
in Whitehall, PA.
>May/June 2014 (TBD) – Luzon, Negroes,
and Cebu in the Philippines for Billiards Bible Camp, AIA Basketball and
Billiards, and outreach.
>July 2014 (TBD) – Annual BCA Nationals
with GTS Shows and Bible studies with tournament competition.
>July 2014 (TBD) – Asbury Park, NJ
summer boardwalk outreach with the GTS portable pool table partnering with
Calvary Chapel Old Bridge and the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
>7/30/14 – 8/7/14 (TBD) – Ukraine and
Russia for GTS Shows with Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman
working with various Russian churches, Christian Bridge International, and
Spiritual Diplomacy.
>August 2014 (TBD) – World Firefighters
Convention in Los Angeles with tournament competition and Gospel Trick Shot
Shows. GTS Shows at local LA churches.
>August 2014 (TBD – Annual APA Nationals
with GTS Shows and Bible studies with tournament
competition.
>10/22/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS shows
and booth at the CSRM (Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry) Summit in
Charlotte, NC.
**
Go For It With GTS
The
good news boys are at it again, breaking ’em for God worldwide with GTS.
I’ll
be joining them in December for a very special exhibition… watch this space
for details:
Go For It With GTS
Photo
(c) Matt Sherman, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Gospel Trick Shot News For November 2013
This past month was a time of much travel
and Gospel Trick Shot ministry business. The month started with a Gospel Trick
Shot Show in Paterson, NJ next to the Good Shepherd Mission (see picture
attached). This “Oktoberfest” outreach included partnership with six
suburban churches led by the Emergence Church of Totowa, NJ.
For three months prior and still continuing
there has been a movement of prayer meetings conducted by area churches praying
for the City of Paterson and specifically for unity. On October 5 we saw
evidence of answered prayer as various church folks gathered around the pool
table for a GTS show and then departed for outreach on the city streets.
Activities for children included games, balloons, sidewalk chalk, and face
painting. There were additional speakers at the Good Shepherd Mission like Tony
Lombardi of the Legacy Minded Men as a sound system with a microphone was put
in so people could share their testimonies and the gospel of Jesus Christ, that
trusting Jesus we receive eternal life.
A special moment came for Steve Lillis came
when one of the men from the Good Shepherd Mission identified himself as one of
those in attendance when Steve did a Gospel Trick Shot Show some 17 years
earlier for the men of the mission. Now this man is working at the mission!
A prayer canopy was also set up to
encourage people to pray and Lighthouse Pregnancy Center personnel were on hand
to assist with crisis pregnancy needs. It is so amazing to see the Body of Christ
working together to minister to the inner city needs of the City of Paterson!
Days later Steve and Camille Lillis
attended the Star of Hope 100th year anniversary dinner at the Brownstone in
Paterson. What a special time to celebrate and meet old friends who have
partnered with Gospel Trick Shot from our humble beginnings some 18 years ago.
Star of Hope Director Jay Sinclair directed
Steve to the Crossroads Ministry which is part of the Madison Ave Christian
Reformed Church which God used to help launch GTS in Paterson. Steve lived in
Paterson for 17 years and initially set up the GTS office there. Days later
Steve and Camille were off to Virginia for an out of state GTS trip.
First stop was Richmond to visit with
Steve’s old boss Tom Walsh from Chic-Fil-A who encouraged Steve to use his gift
of pool playing for ministry years before GTS started. What a precious time of
renewing friendships as wives Laura Walsh and Camille Lillis had a good time
getting to know each other. Steve did a private audition GTS show in
anticipation of returning to Virginia to do shows at the University of
Richmond, Virginia Tech, and local churches.
The next stop in Virginia was Chesapeake
for the annual U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships where Steve serves as a Billiard
Congress of America Chaplain. There were many precious times of sharing with
the players and the fans. Steve also put on a Bobble Ball demonstration which
generated a lot of excitement and fellowship. Then it was back home to New
Jersey just in time to attend the annual missions conference at home church the
Hawthorne Gospel Church.
A GTS booth was set up for two days with
many interested brothers and sisters visiting and sharing in the excitement of
what God is doing with GTS. Please check out our calendar page and pray for us
and especially for Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch as he does a cancer
fundraiser this month. We have received some pledges for our Russia GTS
outreach trip and still need another $9,800! God bless!
GTS Calendar 2013-14 changes and additions
are forthcoming:
11/02/13 – Gospel Trick Shot booth table at
the Legacy Minded Men “Man Conference” from 7:30 am – 2:00 pm at
Christ Church in Rockaway, NJ.
11/09/13 – Pease Family Fund Raiser for
cancer at Bay Lanes Bowling in Bay City, MI from 1-5 pm with Jason “The
Michigan Kid” Lynch & friends.
11/15/13 – 11/17/13 (TBD) – Valley Forge
Senior’s 9 Ball event in conjunction with the Super Billiards Expo and Allen
Hopkins Productions at the Valley Forge Convention Center in PA.
11/21/13 – GTS Show and luncheon with the
“Prime Time” fellowship at the Jacksonville Chapel in Jacksonville,
NJ from Noon to 2:00 pm.
11/23/13 – Coffee House Gospel Trick Shot
Show on the portable pool table with a live band at the Horizon Christian
Fellowship in Brooklyn, NY starting at 7:00 pm.
12/12/13 – 12/17/13 – Artistic Cup VII and
Gospel Trick Shot Outreach in Lake City, Florida with Tom “Dr. Cue”
and Marty “Ms. Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team with
Bible studies and RACK Room fellowship. GTS Outreach starts Sunday evening
12/15 after Cup VII.
12/31/13 – 1/9/14 – Steve and Camille in
Phoenix, AZ visiting family and GTS individual supporters and supporting
churches.
01/13/14 – Spring semesters start at
William Paterson University and Kean University with Steve leading a Faculty
Bible Study at WPU with possible GTS shows at both campuses working with IVCF
and Cru.
March/April 2014 (TBD) – GTS RACK Team led
by Wayne Parker in Nairobi, Kenya for outreach, training, and repairs on GTS
pool table.
4/19/14 – GTS Show and 9 Ball event
starting at 11:00 am with The Lehigh Valley Pool Shooters at the Jordan Lanes
in Whitehall, PA.
May/June 2014 (TBD) – Luzon, Negroes, and
Cebu in the Philippines for Billiards Bible Camp, AIA Basketball and Billiards,
and outreach.
Summer 2014 (TBD) – Asbury Park, NJ summer
boardwalk outreach with the GTS portable pool table partnering with Calvary
Chapel Old Bridge and the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
August/September 2014 (TBD) – Ukraine,
Belarus, and Russia for GTS Shows with Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman working with various Russian churches, Christian Bridge International,
and Spiritual Diplomacy.
10/22/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS shows and
booth at the CSRM (Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry) Summit in
Charlotte, NC.
**
Brave
Faces
The
most brave ambassadors of our sport talk about near death and sharing from
their lives, too.
Brave (In The) Old World
Photo courtesy of Gospel Trick Shots
Restless
World
Updates from the field with Steve
Lillis
Glancing at the headlines this past week
about a terror attack in the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, it takes but a
moment to realize that our world is very dangerous and restless. Three years
ago I walked those same Westgate mall corridors, shopped for gifts for my
family, had coffee and snacks, and did a Gospel
Trick Shot show for college students who were
holding their national billiard championship in the game room on the second
level…
As I read the news of the many who died and
the one hundred and fifty wounded, not to mention the hostages who were cruelly
executed, my mind raced back to that earlier time and realized it could have
been me who died this week. I also remember how on that last trip to Kenya
three years ago, I met with the Bishop of the AG Churches who informed me at
the dinner table of a bombing at a prayer meeting that took place that same day
and left seven people dead and dozens wounded.
Jason
Lynch and I were invited to that same prayer meeting and by the grace
of God we are alive now. We have a Gospel Trick Shot team returning to Nairobi,
Kenya in March and April 2014 where we have a Kenya team using the game of pool
to share Christ. Please pray for our team leader Wayne Parker and those who
travel with him. See the picture of Wayne Parker and some of the Kenya team
that accompanies this article.
We just received news this past week that
ministry leader Maged Fawzy of our GTS partner ministry KDEC Sports in Egypt
had his house burned to the ground by Islamic extremists. Gospel Trick Shot
worked with KDEC and traveled to Egypt in 2010 and 2011. We could not go back
in 2012 or 2013 because of the great unrest on site.
Additionally last year we sent a team led
by Tom
“Dr. Cue” Rossman to Honduras where two
people were murdered right outside the compound where they were staying. Dr.
Cue and the RACK team are returning to Central America for more outreach in
2014. Our GTS ministry friend Amoon Sharon from Pakistan, where billiards is
very popular among the young people and we have invitations, reports the
following:
“The All Saints Church in Peshawar,
Pakistan on Sunday September 22, 2013 was attacked by the local Taliban. The
city of Peshawar is 75 miles from our home town in Rawalpindi. Congregation of
more 500 people were present in the church when two suicide bombers entered the
church premises and blew themselves up in the middle of the crowd. 82 people
were killed, 10 are in critical condition and 130 wounded with majority of them
women and children.” Keep praying for this
troubled region.
This past month Tom, Mike, and I did a
Gospel Trick Shot show in a hotel next to Universal Studies in Orlando, Florida
to honor our U.S. veterans. Thank God for the men and women who are out there
on the front lines keeping the world safe for freedom and democracy and an
opportunity to share the gospel.
Now In 2014, Tom and I are planning to go
to Russia, Belarus, and the Ukraine on a GTS Tour that will include
distributing my new book “But You Must”. We need $12,000 in financial
support to translate, publish, and pay for the travel expenses to Russia. (By
the way my new book is now available on Kindle in the electronic format. Go to Amazon to purchase your copy, with all GTS proceeds going back to
world missions so that we can continue to reach out to this restless world with
the Good News of the Gospel.)
GTS
Calendar 2013-14 changes and additions are forthcoming:
>Fall/Winter 2013 (TBD) – GTS Shows at
the Greater Life Community Outreach Center in Newark, NJ working with program
director Scott Davis.
>Fall/Winter 2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick
Shots Shows and Tribute for APA Founder Larry Hubbart in St. Louis, MO with
Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman.
>10/5/13 – GTS Show during Octoberfest
at 11:00 am at the Good Shepherd Mission in Paterson, NJ working with Pastor
Mike Vieira.
>10/5/13 – Steve and Camille Lillis
attending “Perspectives Banquet” for world missions at 6:00 pm at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church, Hawthorne, NJ.
>10/8/13 – GTS partner ministry
“Star of Hope” 100th Anniversary Celebration at the Brownstone at
6:00 pm in Paterson, NJ.
>10/10/13 – “Movement Day
2013” at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Manhattan, New York City with
Prison Fellowship Ministries.
>10/12/12 (TBD) – GTS Show at the
University of Richmond.
>10/13/13 – 10/19/13 (TBD) – GTS
presentations at the annual 2013 U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Norfolk, VA.
>10/18/13 – 10/20/13 (TBD) – Annual
Missions Conference at the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ with GTS
table in Pavilion.
>11/2/13- Gospel Trick Shot table at the
Legacy Minded Men “Man Conference” from 7:30 am – 1:00 pm at Christ
Church in Rockaway, NJ.
>11/23/13 – Coffee House Gospel Trick
Shot Show with live band at 7:00 pm at Horizon Christian Fellowship in
Brooklyn, NY.
>12/12/13 – 12/17/13 – Artistic Cup VII
and Gospel Trick Shot Outreach with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms.
Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team with Bible studies and RACK
Room fellowship.
>12/19/13 – GTS show with “Prime
Time” at Jacksonville Chapel in Jacksonville, NJ from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
>March/April 2014 (TBD) – GTS RACK Team
led by Wayne Parker in Nairobi, Kenya for outreach, training, and repairs on
GTS pool table.
>May/June 2014 (TBD) – Luzon, Negroes,
and Cebu in the Philippines for Billiards Bible Camp, AIA Basketball and
Billiards, and outreach.
>August/September 2014 (TBD) – Ukraine,
Belarus, and Russia for GTS Shows with Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman working with various Russian churches, Christian Bridge International,
and Spiritual Diplomacy.
>10/22/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS
shows and booth at the CSRM (Christian Sports
and Recreation Ministry) Summit in Charlotte, NC.
**
Back To
Las Vegas Again
Back
to Las Vegas again this month for action with some of the most respected pros
and trick shot artists in our sport:
Vegas Fun, Bobble Ball
Style
Photo
courtesy of Steve Lillis
Vegas
Again, With Bobble Ball Fun
“But
You Must! The Steve Lillis Story” is now available as an ebook at Amazon.com for only $2.99. Just search under the
words “Gospel Trick Shot”.
Las Vegas Again with Bobble Ball and So Much More!
It was back to Las Vegas again this past
month for another GTS outreach to interact with the thousands of pool players
attending the annual American Poolplayers Association (APA) National
Championships August 14-24. The event was held in the Riviera Hotel where
members of the GTS RACK Team were present.
Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman was
there doing his amazing Dr. Cue presentations in the small Capri Ballroom,
which packed well over 100 people. In that same ballroom Steve Lillis was
invited by Jeanette Lee to do a Gospel Trick Shot
presentation during her show.
Mike “Tennessee Tarzan” Massey
did his challenge matches with autograph signing on cue balls and pictures for
the many fans who would step up and take on the “big man”. Steve and Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch were stationed in the McDermott Booth keeping the Bobble
Ball challenges going along with adding some Gospel Trick Shots in between.
Bobble Ball caught the
imagination of the many players and fans after demonstrating how to play the
game. Fred and Devra Robledo invented the game with Steve and Devra coauthoring
the rules. There are many different variations of Bobble Ball on the pool table
for players of all skill levels. The hand rolling version can be played by
small children up through seniors and even those with physical challenges.
The pro and amateur pool players have a
virtual smorgasbord of cue stick games to choose from with each presenting
different skill levels of challenge. The game was invented with ministry in
mind as Fred and Devra felt there was a need to gather people around unused
pool tables in places like a YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Senior Center, church,
or any other venue where pool tables can be found. Please look at the attached
picture of Bobble Ball being used at a Daily Vacation Bible School at the home
church of Former World Champion Robin Dodson and Fred and Devra.
SO MUCH MORE- Two more amazing GTS
outreaches took place this past month with the brand new portable pool table
helping to make the impossible possible! One was at the Preakness Health Care
Center in Wayne, NJ as the table was brought into the dining room where a
capacity filled crowd of wheelchair patients were rolled in by about 20
volunteers from the Star of Hope Ministries of Paterson, NJ
The facilities management placed a closed
circuit TV camera on the pool table to carry the presentation to all the rooms
where patients could not get out of bed. When Steve Lillis closed out the
presentation with an invitation to receive Christ and spend eternity with Him,
patient’s hands enthusiastically shot up all over the room and probably all
over the facility as well to those confined in their rooms.
We praise the Lord for the work of Star of
Hope Ministries as they are there every Tuesday morning to meet and follow-up
with all these precious folks. After that opportunity the table went to Ocean
Grove, NJ to do presentations on the boardwalk working with youth ministries
that are part of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. Many young people
were touched and encouraged.
URGENT NEED-In the process of transporting
the portable pool table with the GTS trailer, Steve and Camille’s hybrid Prius
car was damaged. They traded it in for a new Prius for personal use, but now
there is an urgent need for a vehicle to transport the GTS trailer and portable
pool table for the upcoming busy fall season. Please pray! Thanks.
GTS Calendar 2013-14 (changes and additions are
forthcoming)
>Fall/Winter 2013 (TBD) – GTS Shows at
America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ working with GTS helper Mike Martin.
>Fall/Winter 2013 (TBD) – GTS Shows at
the Greater Life Community Outreach Center in Newark, NJ working with program
director Scott Davis.
>Fall/Winter 2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick
Shots Shows and Tribute for APA Founder Larry Hubbart in St. Louis, MO with
Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman.
>9/1/13 – 9/2/13 – “Ginky
Memorial” Pro 10 Ball event at Steinway Billiards in Queens, NY with the
Predator and Tri State Regional Tours.
>9/14/13 – GTS RACK Team Show in
Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman
for our Disabled Veterans and Military and their families.
>10/5/13 – GTS Show during Oktoberfest
11 am to 3 pm at the Good Shepherd Mission in Paterson, NJ working with Pastor
Mike Vieira.
>10/13/13 – 10/19/13 (TBD) – GTS shows
at the annual U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Virginia Beach, VA.
>10/19/13 – 10/20/13 (TBD) – Annual
Missions Conference at the Hawthorne Gospel Church in Hawthorne, NJ.
>11/23/13 – Coffee House Gospel Trick
Shot Show with live band at 7:00 pm at Horizon Christian Fellowship in
Brooklyn, NY.
>12/13/13 – 12/17/13 – Artistic Cup VII
and Gospel Trick Shot Outreach with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms.
Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team with Bible studies and RACK
Room fellowship.
>12/19/13 – GTS show with “Prime
Time” at Jacksonville Chapel in Jacksonville, NJ from 1:00 – 3:00 pm.
>2013-2014 (TBD) – Shanghai, China;
Luzon, Negroes, and Cebu, Philippines; Nairobi, Kenya in Africa; Tirana and
Korce, Albania; and the Arabian Peninsula for the GTS “RACK of a
Victory” World Tour to revisit ministries and areas for GTS follow-up and
training.
> 2013-2014 (TBD) – Kiev in the Ukraine,
Belarus, and Western Russia for GTS Shows with Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman working with various Russian churches, Christian Bridge
International, and Spiritual Diplomacy.
>10/22/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS shows and booth at the
CSRM (Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry) Summit in Charlotte, NC.
**
To
Russia, With Love
Our
friends at Gospel Trick Shots are hopping the globe again. I’m tempted to be
jealous of their traveling and worldwide ministry!
To Russia, With Agape Love
Photo
courtesy of Gospel Trick Shots
GTS Moves To Russia
Dear
Gospel Trick Shot Friends:
Please enjoy our most recent newsletter
below and please pray for our calendar items…
**But You Must! – The Steve Lillis Story is now available as an ebook at www.amazon.com for only
$2.99. Just type in the words “Gospel Trick Shot”.
**2013 Las Vegas GTS Ministry:
We had an exciting week of ministry in Las
Vegas at the BCA Pool League championships in the Rio Hotel July 17-27. This
was our 14th straight year ministering at this event. Praise the Lord! Thank
you for all your prayers as we saw God do miracles as people came forward
raised their hands to receive Christ, while some received personal counseling
to begin a faith relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
The WPA World Artistic Pool championship
had 31 pro players and was administered by Tom and Jason with some special
helpers and was a great success. We had Bible Studies every day for one week to
encourage our GTS RACK team and guests. We also had our GTS RACK subcommittee
meeting which was attended by the majority of the team as we planned what God
would have us do over the next year to share the love of Jesus Christ around
the world using our sport of pool and billiards.
There were four Gospel Trick Shot outreach
presentations performed by Mike, Tom, Steve, Jason, Wayne, and Dominic who all
came together to share their faith in Jesus Christ at the BEF (Billiard
Education Foundation) and the Meucci booths. Special thanks to our ministry
partners at McDermott and Meucci Cues, and to Dominic, “The Drill Instructor“.
We also slipped in a little Bobble Ball at
the McDermott Booth to further build relationships. There were also many others
who attended to help make this a success for the glory of God. Some of us will
be going back to Las Vegas on August 14-24 for the APA (American Poolplayers Association) Championships
at the Riviera. This will be our seventh time attending the APA doing outreach
ministry and partnering with our many friends and supporters. Thanks again for
all your prayers and support.
**Billiards and Bible Camp:
Steve Lillis had the privilege to minister
a Gospel Trick Shot show on Wednesday, July 17 with the GTS portable pool table working with
“Inspire Sports Camps” at the Shiloh Bible Camp in West Milford, NJ.
There were about 80 young people in attendance each week from the inner cities
of Newark, Jersey City, and the Bronx, NY.
These young people are invited to leave
their difficult city street environment and spend a week in the fresh mountain
air surroundings of Northern New Jersey to be challenged with the Gospel and
prepared to return home to be a witness. Over half of the young people in
attendance received Christ during their stay at the camp.
Every day a bell would ring several times
throughout the camp to signify yet another young person had prayed to receive
Christ. Steve also had the special honor of working with his son-in-law Tim
DuMont who works full time as a missionary at the Shiloh Bible Camp. Tim is
married to Steve’s oldest daughter Amanda who is a teacher in the Wanaque
Public Schools. Please pray for Tim and Amanda as they minister and also help
Gospel Trick Shot with their music talents at many GTS presentations.
**Support Needed:
GTS has been invited to Russia! Christian
Bridge International in conjunction with Spiritual Diplomacy and Dr. Mikhail Morgulis has asked
GTS to have Steve’s new book But You Must! translated into
Russian and they have outlined a tentative itinerary including Western Russia,
the Ukraine, and Belarus.
The total cost for translation,
publication, and tour expense will be $12,000. There are Russian churches
praying with us for this to happen. Some of you can afford to prayerfully
consider this request. This trip will help raise money in Russia for the poor
and share the Gospel with all. Please pray!
**GTS Calendar 2013-14 – Latest Updates:
>Summer/Fall 2013 (TBD) – GTS Shows at
America’s Keswick in Whiting, NJ working with GTS helper Mike Martin.
>Summer/Fall 2013 (TBD) – GTS Shows at
the Greater Life Community Outreach Center in Newark, NJ working with program
director Scott Davis.
>8/6/13 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation
at the Preakness Health Care Center in Wayne, NJ at 10 AM working with Star of
Hope Ministries.
>8/10/13 – Annual Lillis Family Reunion.
>8/11/13-8/13/13 – GTS Shows on the New
Jersey Boardwalk in and around Ocean Grove, Asbury Park, and Ocean City.
>8/14/13-8/24/13 – GTS presentations,
Bible studies, and Bobble Ball competition at the APA (American Poolplayers
Association) annual championship event at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas.
>9/14/13 – GTS RACK Team Show in
Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman
for our Disabled Veterans and Military and their families.
>10/5/13 – GTS Show during Oktoberfest
11 am to 3 pm at the Good Shepherd Mission in Paterson, NJ working with Pastor
Mike Vieira.
>10/13/13 – 10/19/13 (TBD) – GTS Shows
at the annual U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Virginia Beach, VA.
>Nov/Dec 2013 (TBD) – Artistic Cup VII
with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms. Cue” Rossman and members
of the GTS RACK Team.
>2013-2014 (TBD) – Shanghai, China;
Luzon, Negroes, and Cebu, Philippines; Nairobi, Kenya in Africa; Tirana and
Korce, Albania; and the Arabian Peninsula for the GTS “RACK of a Victory”
World Tour to revisit ministries and areas for GTS follow-up and training.
> 2013-2014 (TBD) – Kiev in the Ukraine,
Belarus, and Western Russia for GTS Shows with Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman working with various Russian churches, Christian Bridge
International, and Spiritual Diplomacy.
>10/22/14- 10/25/14 (TBD) – GTS shows and booth at the
CSRM (Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry) Summit in Charlotte, NC.
**
GTS
Relaunches
Some exciting happenings with our friends at GTS
this past month. Check it out:
GTS Relaunched
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
GTS
Billiards And Pool Updates
Updates
from GTS Founder and President, Steve Lillis
In perhaps
the biggest month of their 17-year history GTS experienced unprecedented growth
opportunities. On April 4 I had the privilege to share my life experiences with
the Princeton Chapter of the New Canaan Society (NCS) and do my first book
signings for my life story entitled But You Must!But You Must is available now at CreateSpace.com and all proceeds will benefit GTS. From April 4-7 we and
I mean “we” were at the Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in Edison, New
Jersey.
At a GTS
Bible study a volunteer asked where everybody was located when only three of us
were available to attend. I simply explained that there were 15 more of us
present but they were already out and about in the Expo ministering to the more
than 7,000 participants in various venues.
On April
9th Tom, Mike, and I did our fundraiser awareness outreach event. Time will
only tell all the people that were touched and the opportunities to minister
that will follow. We posted 400 large flyers and gave out 1,250 small invite
cards in Northern New Jersey alone, advertised on social media and through
e-mails to thousands, and including 25 GTS RACK Team members in the video that
went along with the live show and live music.
The
following night of April 10 we did a show at William Paterson University and
then on the 11th we did an impromptu show just before Mike and Tom were about
to leave at the Midland Park Christian Reformed Church and packed their
Fellowship Hall. The GTS Portable Pool Table gives the ability to organize and produce
GTS shows in a matter of days.
Two days
later on Saturday, April 13 I attended a Legacy Minded Man Conference doing
book signings in my GTS Booth and greeted many of the people who were at the
April 9 show. Two more GTS show engagements came out of that. That very night
while I attended a 40th Thanksgiving Celebration of IVCF campus pastor Ken
Vender Wall who is a GTS board member, I met yet another contact who asked if I
had a pool table to donate to his youth ministry center in Newark, NJ, while
just the day before Robert Tenny another GTS board member informed me that he
has a pool table to donate from a real estate client.
Mike Massey flew back into town the next day, Sunday the 14th, and
we went to a pro event in Edison, NJ and ministered to some of the top players
in the world who were competing that weekend. The following weekend at a
friend’s memorial service yet again people that were at the April 9th event or
heard about it were there and two more GTS outreach opportunities were secured.
The list
of sponsors and people who helped make all this possible is too long to list.
But we want you to know that you are with us even when you are not able to be
there physically. You are in our thoughts and prayers and you can always be
with us by way of prayer and we do need it! God bless you!
GTS
Calendar 2013 changes and updates:
5/2/13 – National Day of Prayer at City Hall in Paterson, NJ, Noon-1 PM.
5/4/13 –
Jesus For Muslims Banquet, Calvary Temple, Wayne, NJ at 3 PM.
5/5/13 –
Steve Lillis will be teaching the “Leadership Class” at the Hawthorne
Gospel Church at 10 A.M. during the Sunday School Hour.
5/15/13-5/19/13
– GTS Shows at Basileia in Saranac Village, NY working with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship and NY/NJ campus ministries.
5/24/13-5/27/13
– Word of Life Campgrounds in Schroon Lake, NY.
6/5/13 –
GTS Show at Faith Reformed Church, 95 Prospect Street, Midland Park, NJ at 10
AM.
6/8/13 –
GTS Show at Soul Purpose Evangelical Church in the Firehouse at 5 Pocatello
Road, Middletown, NY 10940 at 7:30 PM.
6/15/13 –
Father’s Day GTS Show and book signing 10 AM to Noon with author and missionary
Steve Lillis in the Hawthorne Bible House Christian Bookstore.
6/24/13-6/28/13
– Vacation Bible School at the Hawthorne Gospel Church.
July 2013
(TBD) – GTS Shows at the Greater Life Community Outreach Center in Newark, NJ
working with program director Scott Davis.
July 2013
(TBD) – GTS Shows with Inspire Sports Camps at the Shiloh Bible Camp in West
Milford, NJ.
7/17/13 –
7/22/13 (TBD) – BCAPL annual event at the Rio in Las Vegas with the 2013 WPA
World Artistic Pool Championship and Bobble Ball tournaments with GTS/RACK Room
Bible studies and outreach.
8/1/13-8/8/13
(TBD) – GTS Shows and book signing tour with Steve Lillis and Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman in Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus working with Christian Bridge
International.
8/10/13 –
Annual Lillis Family Reunion.
8/15/13-8/24/13
(TBD) – American Poolplayers Association (APA) annual National Team
Championships with GTS Shows, Bobble Ball Tournaments, and GTS RACK Room Bible
Studies and outreach.
9/14/13 –
GTS RACK Team Show in Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom
“Dr. Cue” Rossman for our Disabled Veterans and Military and their
families.
Nov/Dec
2013 (TBD) – Artistic Cup VII with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms.
Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team.
2013-2014
(TBD) – Shanghai, China; Luzon, Negroes, and Cebu, Philippines; Nairobi, Kenya
in Africa; Tirana and Korce, Albania; and the Arabian Peninsula for the GTS
“RACK of a Victory” World Tour to revisit ministries and areas for
GTS follow-up and training.
**
Billiards Fundraiser
If
you’re in town and want to see pros shoot great games of billiards and a
retinue of exciting trick shots, go catch the
GTS Exhibition On April 9
Photo
courtesy of Steve Lillis
Gospel Trick Shots Calendar 2013
Dear
Gospel Trick Shot Friends:
to you and
yours–here are updates from our friends at GTS on their April 9th World
Awareness Fundraiser Outreach Event and more.
All
About.com readers invited to attend our Tuesday April 9thh, 2013 7 PM – 9 PM
awareness outreach event at Calvary Temple, 1111 Preakness Ave, Wayne, NJ
07470. Admission is FREE to all and a free will offering will be taken. ESPN
World Champions Mike Massey and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman will join
Hawthorne Gospel Church missionary Steve Lillis in a live Gospel Trick Shot show with video of mission
trips and a live band.
Steve Lillis
will have a book signing and fellowship time after for his new book entitled
“But You Must!”
Newsflash:
Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. has been overseas 25 times and to 19
different countries. We have 25 pool playing ministers and volunteers with 15
of them already having overseas experience. We have been invited to 10
countries with many of them being return visits. We need $100,000 to send our
GTS RACK Team members overseas again.
Pool is
very popular in third world countries where we have already been like Kenya,
Tanzania, Philippines, and Albania where capitalism is taking root. This is
because store owners and prospective entrepreneurs purchase pool tables to have
potential customers linger and spend their money much like it was the U.S. and cities
100 years ago.
Muslim
countries like Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates which we have
been to all love and revere the western sport of pool and billiards and allow
us to share. We have preached the gospel and shared our faith by trust In Jesus
for salvation in all these countries because we are recognized as international
athletes and sports celebrities.
We have
also been in very dangerous countries like Honduras where drug cartels rule and
have seen people come to Christ there. [He ain’t kidding! We went to Honduras
last year sandwiched between gang killings and extortion threats! — Editor]
In Asia
and especially in China, pool and billiards is perhaps the fastest growing
sport and is on television daily. Gospel Trick Shot Shows have been aired on TV around the world
like SAT 7 TV in the Middle East which reaches 200 million Muslim homes, and
various sports and network programming with millions of viewers in countries
like Albania, Russia, China, and the Philippines.
We partner
with churches and missionaries “on the ground” and international
missionary organizations like Operation Mobilization, Africa Inland Mission,
Athletes in Action, Campus Crusade, InterVarsity, and many others. We have a worldwide
network that has been developed over the past 12 years. We need your help to
send us around the world with the good news of Jesus Christ. Will you send us?
Thank you for your prayers and support because without you our GTS team of
supporters all would not be possible!
GTS
Calendar 2013
>4/4/13
— Steve Lillis will speak at the meeting of the Princeton New Canaan Society
(NCS) at the Cherry Valley Country Club in Edison, NJ. There will also be a
book signing for his new book entitled “But You Must”.
>4/4/13
— 4/7/13 — Hopkins Expo in the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ with tournaments, Bible studies, three GTS shows a day in two booths with
book signings for Steve’s new book entitled “But You Must”.
>4/9/13
— GTS World Outreach Awareness Fundraiser with Free Will offering only:
Calvary Temple, 1111 Preakness Ave, Wayne, NJ 07470. Mike Massey, Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman, and Steve Lillis in sanctuary with music, video, and a live
trick shot show from 7PM – 9PM.
>4/10/13
— GTS Show with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, and Steve Lillis
in the Student Center arcade and billiard room working with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship (IVCF).
>4/13/13
— Legacy Minded Man Conference 8 A.M. — 12 Noon at Calvary Temple Church in
Wayne, NJ.
>4/13/13
— IVCF Pastor Ken Vander Wall 40th Thanksgiving Celebration at Cedar Hill CRC
in Wyckoff, NJ off Route 208. Freewill offering only.
>Spring
2013 (TBD) — Gospel Trick Shot Show with Steve Lillis at (NJIT) New Jersey
Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ working with IVCF.
>5/5/13
— Steve Lillis will be teaching the “Leadership Class” at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church at 10 A.M. during the Sunday School Hour.
>6/15/13
— Father’s Day live GTS Show and book signing with author and missionary Steve
Lillis in the Hawthorne Bible House Christian Bookstore.
>May/June/July/
August 2013(TBD) — Shanghai, China; Luzon, Negroes, and Cebu, Philippines;
Nairobi, Kenya in Africa; Tirana and Korce, Albania; and the Arabian Peninsula
for the GTS “RACK of a Victory” World Tour to revisit ministries and
areas for GTS follow-up and training.
>7/17/13
— 7/27/13 — BCAPL annual event at the Rio in Las Vegas with the 2013 WPA World Artistic Pool
Championship and GTS/RACK Room Bible studies and outreach.
>9/14/13
— GTS RACK Team Show in Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom
“Dr. Cue” Rossman for our Disabled Veterans and Military and their
families.
>Nov/Dec
2013 (TBD) — Artistic Cup VII with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms.
Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team.
**
GTS
New Action
Get
on board with the GTS crew, now with their new book, a unique portable pool
table, and stronger than ever!
Gospel Trick Shots – The
Latest And Greatest News
Illustration
(c) Matt Sherman, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Updates
To Gospel Trick Shots Calendar
GTS Expansion with April 9th Approaching Fast!
Gospel
Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. is on the verge of its most aggressive expansion in
the 16-year history of the ministry. We praise God for all the people and
events that the Lord is divinely orchestrating.
This past
month we have been worked on four fronts. GTS RACK Team member Brian Pauley
from Ohio attended the Derby City Classic pro event in the Louisville, KY area
and represented GTS and BobbleBall.com
and made
several contacts for Christ. Brian is now working on another GTS Show in
Kentucky at a local Christian College.
The
“RACK Up A Victory” world tour with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman, and Steve Lillis rolled into Carbondale, Illinois on the
campus of Southern Illinois University. Hundreds of students came out to the
two days of GTS shows with nearly 100 response cards indicating that they
wanted to have Chi Alpha Campus Ministry follow up on how to have a personal
relationship with our wonderful Savior.
Please
pray for this precious follow-up. Then GTS RACK Team members Jason “The
Michigan Kid” Lynch and Rodney “Triple P” Fontaine (Pool Playing
Preacher) teamed up in Lake City, FL for an outreach working with the Hopeful
Baptist Church discipleship team. At the time of this writing we are waiting
for the results as they are underway ministering in that area.
With the
GTS portable pool table and the publication of But You Must: The Steve
Lillis Story
all
scheduled to arrive the middle of this month, April is going to be busy. A
series of GTS shows with book signings are set to begin on April 4th. Steve
will be speaking at the Princeton New Canaan Society in the morning and then
will be heading over to New Jersey Convention and Expo Center for four days
until April 7th to do a series of GTS Shows with book signings.
Then on
April 9th we will have the largest GTS Show ever with World Champions Mike
Massey and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman joining Steve Lillis in a fundraiser
complete with video, music, and a live GTS show in the 1,800-seat elevated
sanctuary of Calvary Temple in Wayne, NJ. This unprecedented event will
hopefully financially fuel our other twelve GTS RACK Team members to fan out
into all parts of the world sharing the Gospel and partnering with mission
teams already on the ground.
GTS has
built relationships with dozens of ministry organizations and several
invitations are on the table along with two GTS teams that have already been
formed in Albania and Kenya. Please pray for this exciting opportunity to
“GO YE INTO ALL THE WORLD AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS!” This is
the expanded GTS vision while still doing outreach in the USA on college
campuses (we have a show at William Paterson University April 10th), billiard
events, churches, and other venues. The Lord has provided the people and the
tools. We need much prayer and finances to continue working as part of “The Great Commission“.
The GTS Albania
Team founded by Steve Lillis and Scott Pruiksma in 2008 and the GTS Kenya Team
founded by Steve Lillis and Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch in 2010
and further trained by GTS RACK Team member Wayne Parker of South Africa in
2012 are both continuing their momentum. Help us, pool players, raise up more
teams worldwide in 2013 and beyond! Thanks.
GTS Calendar 2013
3/24/13 –
Steve Lillis will speak at 10 A.M. during the Sunday School Hour at Hawthorne
Gospel Church in the “Leadership Class”.
4/4/13 –
Steve Lillis will speak at the meeting of the Princeton New Canaan Society
(NCS) at the Cherry Valley Country Club in Edison, NJ. There will also be a
book signing for his new book entitled “But You Must”.
4/4/13 –
4/7/13 – Hopkins Expo in the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ with
tournaments, Bible studies, GTS Shows with book signings for Steve’s new book
entitled “But You Must”.
4/9/13 –
GTS World Outreach Fundraiser with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman, and Steve Lillis at Calvary Temple in Wayne, NJ in the sanctuary at 7
P.M.
4/10/13 –
GTS Show with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, and Steve Lillis in
the Student Center arcade and billiard room working with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship (IVCF).
4/13/13 –
Legacy Minded Man Conference 8 A.M. – 12 Noon at Calvary Temple Church in
Wayne, NJ.
4/17/13 –
4/20/13 (TBD) – Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry Summit at the Chicago
Kroc Center with GTS/RACK Team members.
Spring
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Show with Steve Lillis at (NJIT) New Jersey
Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ working with IVCF.
5/5/13 –
Steve Lillis will be teaching the “Leadership Class” at the Hawthorne
Gospel Church at 10 A.M. during the Sunday School Hour.
May/June/July/
August 2013(TBD) – Shanghai, China; Luzon, Negroes, and Cebu, Philippines;
Nairobi, Kenya in Africa; Tirana and Korce, Albania; and the Arabian Peninsula
for the GTS “RACK of a Victory” World Tour to revisit ministries and
areas for GTS follow-up and training.
7/17/13 –
7/27/13 – BCAPL annual event at the Rio in Las Vegas with the 2013 WPA World
Artistic Pool Championship and GTS/RACK Room Bible studies and outreach.
9/14/13 –
GTS RACK Team Show in Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Steve Lillis, and Tom
“Dr. Cue” Rossman for our Disabled Veterans and Military and their
families.
Nov/Dec
2013 (TBD) – Artistic Cup VII with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms.
Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team.
More About Gospel Trick Shot Ministries
**
A Portable Pool Table
Something
I’ve been dreaming of for years is finally, reality.
Check
out A Portable Pool Table, Of
Pro Quality
Photo
courtesy of Steve Lillis
A Portable Billiards Table
A portable
pool table that plays like a quality, pro table now nears completion for the
use of good friends of this Pool and Billiards GuideSite. See more below–Matt
ShermanThe Start of Something Big
What an
exciting month of ministry with local events, projects and opportunities that
have been in the works for years, finally beginning to come together. At
Hawthorne Gospel Church Steve Lillis taught a Leadership Class and then did a
2012 Philippines video presentation that was completed just this month for the
“Serving Hands” ladies, who make the thousands of salvation bracelets
that GTS Teams take all over the world.
The message of the gospel, that Jesus died according to prophecy,
and rose from the dead, so that anyone trusting Him is saved, went out in
power. And at Fardale Trinity Church in Mahwah, NJ Steve did a GTS Show
followed by an evening of fellowship with Bobble Ball.
A memoir
of Steve’s life story has finally been completed after two long years of
research and editing, and securing approvals and endorsements. This book will
reveal how God has worked in the life of Steve to bring him to a place where he
could be used in the building of the Kingdom of God.
The book
will not only share about his early years growing up in North Jersey but will
mention how Steve’s life spiraled out of control causing him to cry out to the
Lord. It is complete with billiard stories of playing pool for the U.S. Navy
along with his many road travels and the people God used to draw Steve to
Himself.
The drama
of a man torn between two women and the will of God will expose the truth about
why God would have a man be the “husband of one wife”. And finally
the return of Steve’s wife Camille while Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. was
in full stride makes for an exciting book climax!
To
complement the publishing of the book a brand new portable pool table as shown
on this page is being completed in Los Angeles by Source Enterprises. This
table has been in the design, construction, and completion stages for the past
two plus years as well.
As far
back as ten years ago Steve began a search for a portable pool table that would
play just like a professional table. And now we have it! Praise God! The table
will be shipped to New Jersey by March in time for the upcoming shows and
outreaches in April that will require a portable pool table.
The main
event will be a GTS World Outreach fundraiser at Calvary Temple in Wayne, NJ on
April 9th at 7 PM. This beautiful church has elevated seating in the sanctuary
for 1,800 people. World Champions Mike Massey and Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman will assist Steve in this fundraiser as they will share their talents
and testimony. The GTS World Vision will be revealed live and on video!
For years
Mike, Tom, and Steve have trained a whole new generation of Gospel Trick Shot
Artists like Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch, Wayne Parker, Rodney Fontaine, Brian
Pauley, Robbie Peacock, Curtis Robertson, and Michael Hewitt along with
veterans like Steve Geller, LoreeJon Hasson, Robin Dodson, Tommy Kennedy, and Belinda Calhoun who all now want to go out into the
world and share their love for Jesus Christ via billiards tables and pool fans.
We have
countries besides the United States, like Albania, Kenya, China, Taiwan,
Philippines, South Korea, Honduras, Guatemala, Egypt, Iraq, and the Arabian
Peninsula, countries where we have done outreach and have many contacts. And in
some countries GTS teams and helpers are already up and running.
We hope to
raise $100,000 by the grace of God at the fundraiser at Calvary Temple to send
GTS teams back to those ten countries where we have been effective for the
Kingdom. The portable table will also be available for a GTS Shows at the
Hopkins Expo and the William Paterson University Student Center Ballroom in
April as well. Please pray for us as we prepare!
GTS
Calendar 2013 changes and additions are forthcoming…
>2/19/13
– 2/20/13 – School billiard tournament and Gospel Trick Shot Show at Southern
Illinois University with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Steve
Lillis working with SIU Chi Alpha Campus Ministries.
>February/March
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot shows and testimonies at a local pool room and
the Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida with members of the GTS RACK
Team led by Rodney “Triple P” Fontaine.
>Winter
2013 (TBD) – GTS Show at the Jericho Road Men’s Shelter in Paterson, NJ.
>4/4/13
– 4/7/13 – Hopkins Expo in the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ with
tournaments, GTS Shows and Bible studies.
>4/9/13
– GTS World Outreach Fundraiser with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue”
Rossman, and Steve Lillis at Calvary Temple in Wayne, NJ in the sanctuary at 7
PM.
>4/10/13
(TBD) – GTS Show with Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, and Steve
Lillis in the Student Center Ballroom working with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship (IVCF).
>4/17/13
– 4/20/13 (TBD) – Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry Summit at the
Chicago Kroc Center with GTS/RACK Team members.
>Spring
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Show with Steve Lillis at (NJIT) New Jersey
Institute of Technology in Newark, NJ working with IVCF.
>5/5/13
– Steve Lillis will be teaching the “Leadership Class” at the
Hawthorne Gospel Church at 10 A.M. during the Sunday School Hour.
>May/June
2013(TBD) – Shanghai, China; Luzon, Negroes, and Cebu, Philippines; Nairobi,
Kenya in Africa; Tirana and Korce, Albania; and the Arabian Peninsula for the
GTS “RACK of a Victory” World Tour to revisit ministries and areas
for GTS follow-up and training.
>7/17/13
– 7/27/13 – BCAPL annual event at the Rio in Las Vegas with the 2013 WPA World
Artistic Pool Championship and GTS/RACK Room Bible studies and outreach.
>9/14/13
– GTS RACK Team Show in Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Steve
Lillis, and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman for our Disabled Veterans and
Military and their families.
>Nov/Dec
2013 (TBD) – Artistic Cup VII with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms.
Cue” Rossman and members of the GTS RACK Team.
**
Billiards Trick Shot Show
A
bountiful billiards trick shot show and a new book are on tap from the folks at
GTS:
Billiards Trick Shot Show
And A New Book To Boot
Have
a great weekend, my fellow cueists!
Photo
(c) Matt Sherman, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Next Generation Gospel Tricks
Emphasis On Training Gospel Trick Shot Artists In 2013
For the
past few years GTS has had a major shift from introducing the ministry around
the world to training the next generation of Gospel Trick Shot artists to pick
their cues and share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Coming up this month
will be the annual Artistic Cup in Indianapolis, IN which will be event number
six.
This
six-year old event is produced and directed by Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms. Cue”
Rossman. They are
the pioneers of the modern artistic pool movement and have partnered with GTS
for many years. The format of their event consists of 40 artistic pool shots
which exhibit all the key strokes encountered when trying to execute artistic
pool and trick shots.
This event
has become a major training tool for future Gospel Trick Shot artists. Current
next generation GTS artists like Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch, Rodney “Triple P” Fontaine, Rob
“The Hurricane” Peacock, Wayne Parker, Curtis Robertson, and Brian
Pauley have cut their teeth on these shots and now have their own Gospel Trick
Shot Shows.
**
Wayne
Parker is scheduled to lead a team to Nairobi, Kenya this month where another
group of young GTS artist are waiting to be further trained. As we had reported
earlier, Jason Lynch and Steve Lillis founded a team in Nairobi in 2010 and had a pool table shipped from the USA
to our GTS headquarter church which is located in the Kariobangi North section
of Nairobi.
This
church under the leadership of Pastor Kennedy Salano and two pool playing
ministers have brought in another twelve pool players from the area who now
want to be part of the Gospel Trick Shot team to reach out to other areas in
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Please pray for Wayne, Pastor Kennedy and the team
as they travel to this very dangerous and volatile area of the world.
**
Steve
Lillis has a new book coming out in 2013 which is a testimony to what God has
done in his life and includes the story of the founding of Gospel Trick Shot
Ministries, Inc. Please pray that God would use this book to help inspire the
next generation to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The book has been
coauthored by Devra Robledo from Los Angeles who owns Source Enterprises and BobbleBall.com and is a dear friend and helper of Gospel Trick Shots.
Husband
Fred Robledo is putting the finishing touches on a portable pool table in their
wood carving factory that will be shipped back east to Steve and GTS hopefully
in time for an outreach event with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Mike
Massey in late March 2013.
In April
the annual Allen Hopkins Expo and the Artistic Pool Masters Championship, which
is a pro artistic pool event, serves as a reunion for Gospel Trick Shot
artists. It was here about ten years ago that Steve Lillis helped secure the
venue for not only the artistic pool competition while serving as the Chairman
of World Artistic Pool, but introduced the billiard community on the East Coast
to Gospel Trick Shot Shows with the help of World Artistic Pool Champions Tom
“Dr. Cue” Rossman and Mike Massey, along with female World Champions
Robin Dodson and Loree Jon Jones Hassan.
This is
the time for the next generation of GTS artists to be further trained and sent
around the world to preach Christ on pool tables on all continents.
**
GTS
Calendar 2012-2013:
>11/29/12
– 12/2/12 – Artistic Cup VI in Indianapolis, IN produced and directed by Dr.
Cue Promotions. Top artistic players in competition with a Sunday morning RACK
Room service at 8 A.M. led by GTS Board Member and Artistic Pool Chaplain
Rodney “Triple P” Fontaine. Please go to DrCuePromotions.com for more details.
>12/13/12-
12/24/12 – GTS RACK Team led by Wayne Parker of South Africa returns to
Nairobi, Kenya in Africa to train GTS Africa Team in Kariobangi with Pastor
Kennedy Salano.
>12/27/12
– 12/31/12 (TBD) – Urbana 2012 in St. Louis, MO with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship students and leaders.
>Winter
2012-13 (TBD) – GTS Show at the Jericho Road Men’s Shelter in Paterson, NJ.
>1/9/13-1/10/13
(TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot shows and testimonies at a local pool room and the
Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida with members of the GTS RACK Team
led by Rodney “Triple P” Fontaine.
>1/10/13
– 1/13/13 – Joss Northeast 9-Ball Tour semiannual Turning Stone event in
Verona, New York with top players from all over the USA.
>1/14/13
– First day of classes at William Paterson and Kean Universities.
>1/25/13
– Steve will speaking at the Serving Hands fellowship at the Hawthorne Gospel
Church in Hawthorne, NJ at 10:30 A.M.
>2/19/13-2/20/13
– School billiard tournament and Gospel Trick Shot Show at Southern Illinois
University with Mike Massey and Steve Lillis working with SIU Chi Alpha Campus
Ministries.
>4/4/13
– 4/7/13 – Hopkins Expo in the NJ Convention and Expo Center in Edison, NJ with
possible GTS Booth, GTS Shows and Bible studies.
>Spring
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in New Jersey at Kean University game room
of the student center in Union working with Campus Crusade for Christ; William
Paterson University in Wayne; Farleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck; Rutgers
University in New Brunswick in the game rooms working with InterVarsity
Christian Fellowship (IVCF).
>Spring
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in the university section of Newark, NJ at
ECC, NJIT, and Newark Rutgers working in conjunction with various campus
ministries and World Impact Ministries of Newark, NJ.
>June
2013 (TBD) – Philippines, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula GTS World Tour to
revisit ministries and areas for GTS follow-up.
**
***East
Coast GTS Tours As Hurricane Sandy Approaches***
At the
time of writing a dangerous hurricane is fast approaching the East Coast where
Gospel Trick Shot workers are stationed and participating in various events.
Steve and Camille Lillis just returned home from the annual U.S. Open 9 Ball
Championships in the Virginia Beach/Norfolk area which figures to be a direct
hit.
At the
U.S. Open pro player Tommy Kennedy (pictured with this article) helped out with
a Gospel Trick Shot Show for the players and fans. Many contacts
were made for Christ during the week of competition. Special thanks to
McDermott Cues as a brand new cue stick was given away as a door prize at that
GTS Show.
The
hurricane also figures to hit the New York/New Jersey area where Steve and Camille Lillis live. Tomorrow Steve is scheduled to head
out to Upstate New York to Lake Champion to do a Gospel Trick Shot presentation
for the “Big Event” which will have 450 InterVarsity campus ministry
students from about 50 local colleges and universities. Hopefully, all
concerned will beat the storm home.
Earlier
this month Steve and Camille shared the GTS vision at two events at the (HGC)
Hawthorne Gospel Church. HGC is their home church and has about 2,000 regular
attendees. On 10/11/12 Steve presented to the Senior’s Ministry the story of
the Philippines outreach which took place last June. Many of the seniors are
responsible for making those “salvation bracelets” that go all over
the world and are incorporated into each GTS presentation. On 10/19/12-10/21/12
Steve, Camille, and GTS helper Scott Pruiksma all had the opportunity to share
at the HGC Mission’s Conference.
On Friday
10/19/12 Steve and Camille were hosted by Bob and Eve Schuit in their home in
Hawthorne to share about GTS. On Saturday they attended the missions banquet
with hundreds of others and dozens of HGC missionaries. On Sunday Steve and
Camille shared their testimonies during a Sunday School Class and then were
presented to the congregation along with other HGC missionaries in the church
service.
Scott
Pruiksma closed out the GTS presentations that weekend by sharing in the
evening service about our encounters in the Philippines. Thanks for your
prayers and support!
Honduras
Update-Listed below are the names of the 125 people who signed up for Bible studies
after seven GTS presentations last month. Suggestion: Pray for one pool room
per day for one week. Missionaries Steve and Reina Petty are leading follow-up.
Each name represents a precious soul that Jesus died for!
1. Isabel
Pool Hall: Nelson Midenre, Santos Funez, Cristhian Ponce, and Jose Ronquio
2.
Alvarado Pool Hall: Junior Mauricio, Pablo Diaz, Darwin Aguillo, and Juan
Carlos.
3.
Mariposa Pool Hall: Alex Hernandez, Melvin Garcia, Walter Zuniga, Maynor
Rodriguez, Edgar Medina, Andres Herrera, Lenin Turcios, Josman Pena, Ronald
Romero, Jovani Lainez, Ever Trochez, Angel Amaya, Joel Fuentes, Oscar Padilla,
Kevin Antonio, Carlos Aguilar, Fernando Ferrera, Allan Aparicio, Alex Ortiz,
Hector Almendarez, Don Edas, and Franklin Canales.
4.
Victoria Pool Hall: Luis Vega, Cesar Ortega, Luis Acostar, Denis Martinez, Juan
Antonio, Freedel Vorgas, Moises Ponce, and Cristian Dubon.
5. Diana
Pool Hall: Jimenez, Alex Borjas, Merly de Borjas, Alcides Pineda, Denis
Alexander, Jose Hernandez, Marcos Alvarez, Karla Arita, Oscar Arita, Blanca,
Javar Barin, Rulvar Meza, Carlos Paz, Ariel Gonzales, Xavier Flores, Carlos
Arila, Juan Montoya, David Espinosa, Junior Soriano, Olvan Molina, Juan Loreia,
Marco Antonio, Edras Espinozo, Dennis Alexander, Javier Antonio, Javier Cruz,
Juan Vorluma, Aelmis Lopez, Jesus Guerro, Olvin Montosa, Antonio Guerro, Jorje
Jimenez, Reibin Paz, Manuela Gome, Crithian Javier, and Juan Castellanos.
6. Olguita
Pool Hall: Victor Cobos, Olbin Hernandez, Victor Osorto, Juan Mata, Jorge
Misedt, Hector Hernandez, Olman Asyilas, Juan Villanueva, Armin Moran, Carlos
Caceres, Roberto Carlos, Alexis, Cesar Rojes, Juan Monguia, Jose Mejia, Olga
Cobos, Nidia Moreno, Victor Gutierrez, Olga Gutierrez, Maria Cananza, Fredy
Mauricio Sanchez, Carlos Mena, Fredy Lainez Sanchez, Pablo Sanchez, Juan Mata,
Nelson Rosales, Horacio Mareno, Jofe Molina, Omar Lopez, and Oscar Chavez.
7. Olympia
Pool Hall: Raul Bautista, Francisco Acosta, Carlos Conno, Julio Crivelli, Reme
Sanchez, Deli Matute, Reynaldo Mendoza, Momel Murillo, Omar Toro, Elvin
Turcios, Henry Yanes, Isias Gomez, Leonard Nogueia, Marco Espinoza, Julio
Volllson, Nelson Rosales, Samuel Hernandez, Antonio Bunitez, Melvin Vargas,
Nelson Gomez, and Marcos Orellana.
**
GTS
Calendar 2012 – 2013 changes and additions are forthcoming.
11/1/12 –
GTS Annual Board Meeting in Haledon, New Jersey from 7:45 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Nov/Dec
2012 (TBD) – GTS Show at the Jericho Road Men’s Shelter in Paterson, NJ.
12/13/12-
12/24/12 – GTS RACK Team led by Wayne Parker of South Africa returns to
Nairobi, Kenya in Africa to train GTS Africa Team in Kariobangi with Pastor
Kennedy Salano.
12/27/12 –
12/31/12 (TBD) – Urbana 2012 in St. Louis, MO with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship students and leaders.
1/9/13-1/10/13
(TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot shows and testimonies at a local pool room and the
Hopeful Baptist Church in Lake City, Florida with members of the GTS RACK Team.
1/14/13 –
First day of classes at William Paterson and Kean Universities.
1/25/13 –
Steve will speaking at the Serving Hands fellowship at the Hawthorne Gospel
Church in Hawthorne, NJ at 10:30 A.M.
2/19/13 –
2/20/13 – School billiard tournament and Gospel Trick Shot Show at Southern
Illinois University with Mike Massey and Steve Lillis working with SIU Chi
Alpha Campus Ministries.
Spring
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in New Jersey at Kean University game room of the student center in Union working with
Campus Crusade for Christ; William Paterson University in Wayne; Farleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck; Rutgers University in New
Brunswick in the game rooms working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
(IVCF).
Spring
2013 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in the university section of Newark, NJ at
ECC, NJIT, and Newark Rutgers working in conjunction with various campus
ministries and World Impact Ministries of Newark, NJ.
June
2013(TBD) – Philippines, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula GTS World Tour to
revisit ministries and areas for GTS follow-up.
**
Pool In Honduras
Getting
off to a great start in Honduras, Central America are my pals at GTS. I
recently visited this troubled but beautiful land with its astonishing natural
wonders, and countless, tiny pool halls (think half a shack with two tables)
where locals “congregate” to pass the time.
Pool In Honduras – Fun And
Possibilities With Billiards And The Bible
Photo
courtesy of Pastor Steve Lillis
Billiards Bible
R.A.C.K. Rooms Established In Honduras
I recently
visited Honduras to share with those in need. Honduras is the poorest and one
of the filthiest countries in Central America. It’s literally filthy because of
the ways residents pile garbage on the streets and in their local rivers and
parks.
If there’s
something more heartwarming for an old pool shooter than to build homes for the
needy and those assisting them, I can’t imagine what it is.
My pals at
the Gospel Tricks Shots organization are making a key difference in Honduras.
Here’s their latest tale, that is truer and lovelier than fiction.
The story
of the recent GTS RACK team trip to Honduras can best be told by describing how
missionary host Steve Petty, and GTS RACK members Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman and Curtis Robertson stayed last month as
they ministered to those in various pool rooms in the country of Honduras.
Our teams
prayed for people to put their trust in Christ after an exciting presentation including
themed billiards trick shots. By the way, at one particular poolroom we
visited, three murders were committed just months before and now we can see
what God is doing there!
Attendees
signed up for Bible studies. Steve Petty, Tom, and Curtis knelt and prayed with
many including husband and wife poolroom owners. The team visited nine pool rooms
with many dozens of people signing up for Bible studies to be led by missionary
Steve Petty.
These
poolrooms have now become “R.A.C.K. Rooms” which stands for Recreational
Ambassadors for Christ’s Kingdom. RACK is the vision that Tom had back in
1984 when he first sensed that God wanted to use him in the pool world.
In 2010
Tom went on a Gospel Trick Shots trip to Egypt and then again this past summer
he went with a GTS team to the Philippines. Tom led the GTS team in Honduras
and cites that the Egypt and Philippines trips helped to equip him for billiard action in Honduras. Now God has is a very tangible way
fulfilled the RACK vision from 1984 in Honduras to currently in 2012.
To God be
the glory great things He has done! Thank you all for your precious support and
prayers through the years! Amen.
Prayer
requests and World GTS Update:
1)The GTS
trip to Egypt this year has been postponed. Pray for our dear brothers and sisters
there as the times are very dangerous in that country.
2) Pray
for Steve Petty as he has begun the RACK Room Bible studies in Honduras.
3) Pray
for our upcoming GTS RACK Team visit this December back to Nairobi, Kenya to
train all our young GTS Africa team members overseas.
4) Pray
for our 2013 GTS trip back to the Arabian Peninsula.
Gospel
Trick Shots Calendar 2012-2013 changes and additions:
*Fall/Spring
2012-13 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in New Jersey at Kean University game
room of the student center in Union working with Campus Crusade for Christ;
William Paterson University in Wayne; Farleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck;
Rutgers University in New Brunswick in the game rooms working with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship (IVCF)
*Fall/Spring
2012-13 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in the university section of Newark, NJ
at ECC, NJIT, and Newark Rutgers working in conjunction with various campus
ministries and World Impact Ministries of Newark, NJ
*10/11/12
– Steve Lillis will be the special guest speaker for the Seniors Ministry from
10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M. at the Hawthorne Gospel Church in NJ
*10/19/12
– 10/21/12 – Hawthorne Gospel Church Annual Missions Conference (GTS home
church) in Hawthorne, NJ–special presentation by Philippine GTS team member
Scott Pruiksma at the Sunday evening service
*10/21/12
– 10/26/12 – The annual U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in Norfolk, VA where
Steve Lillis will be doing special Gospel Trick Shot presentations for the
players and fans
*10/27/12
– 10/28/12 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at Lake Champion “Big
Event” in Upstate New York working with IVCF New York and New Jersey
college students in attendance
*11/1/12 –
GTS Annual Board Meeting in Haledon, NJ at 7:45 P.M
*12/13/12-
12/24/12 – GTS RACK Team led by Wayne Parker of South Africa returns to
Nairobi, Kenya in Africa to train GTS Africa Team in Kariobangi with Pastor
Kennedy Salano
*12/27/12
– 12/31/12 (TBD) – Urbana 2012 in St. Louis, MO with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship students and leaders
*Spring
2013 (TBD) – GTS Show at Southern Illinois University with Mike Massey and
Steve Lillis working with SIU Chi Alpha Campus Ministries
*June
2013(TBD) – Philippines, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula GTS World Tour to
revisit ministries and areas for GTS follow-up
**
Pool And Billiards In China
An
interesting report from the field, including some fascinating goings-on half a
world distant from where I compose this blog:
Pool And Billiards In
China
Photo
(c) Matt Sherman, licensed to About.com, Inc.
Billiards In China
What is
the state of pool and billiards in China? An on-the-spot reporter tells us.
(GTS RACK visit to Shenyang, China courtesy of Wayne Parker)
From the 2012 WPA World Class Artistic Pool Master Cup held in Shenyang
China (13 – 15 July)
Several days
ago I had the opportunity of visiting China for the very first time in my life,
and I can only say that it has been an unforgettable experience for me. Firstly
I would like to thank brother Steve Lillis for all his dedicated support and
continual prayers for the GTS RACK team who were in China.
We had
many breakthroughs because of the prayer and the fellowship times we had in
China. I believe that much more prayer is needed for the nation of China as my
report will reveal.
I arrived
in China in the very early hours of Thursday morning (12/07/2012), and checked
into my room to rest from my 30 hours of travel from Johannesburg, South Africa.
That
morning I made my way down to the breakfast room on the 6th floor and while
dishing up breakfast, I happened to turn around and to my surprise I found
Brother Tom Rossman standing right in front of me. We greeted with a loving
brotherly hug and sat down for breakfast and arranged to get together for
morning fellowship times.
Soon we
made our way up to Tom’s room where I met up with Sister Marty and we sat down
and shared all that the Lord had put on our hearts. “To Value the Presence
of the Lord” was the Word on my heart that morning. We were able to spend
some time in Worship and in Prayer, and ultimately this ushered us into the
loving presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. We were refreshed in presence of the
Lord.
That day
we had our players meeting, and were introduced to the media. Then was the
opening ceremony where I was able to meet up, and spend some time with Brother
Mike Massey. I also met up with Brother Jason Lynch that night and we agreed to meet in Brother Mike’s room
on the 12th floor in the morning for some fellowship time again.
The next
morning Brothers Mike, Tom, Jason, Rick and I gathered together in Mike’s room,
where Tom shared a devotional reading on the following:
Proverbs
6:6-8 – “Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Which having no captain, overseer or ruler, Provides her supplies in the
summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.”
I then
shared regarding a revelation I had received a few days prior from the
following portion of scripture: Job 39:26 “Does the hawk fly by your
wisdom, and spread its wings toward the south?”
From these
scriptures we learned that it is important to know and to understand the season
in which we find ourselves, so that we can do what we ought to do, and be where
we ought to be. An ant knows and understands her season, to gather in the summer
for the winter, and a hawk flies by God’s Wisdom and not ours, knowing that she
needs to spread her wings towards the south for the winter. So we also ought to
understand the season we are in regarding the Gospel Trick-shot ministry which
God has for the world, so that we can know where we ought to be and what we
ought to be doing just like the ant and the hawk.
We are in
a fruitful season where trick shots is now accepted and embraced by the Chinese
nation and all over the world such the Philippines and many other nations. This should compel us to step
out in faith and move with God’s Spirit. Trick-shots as we know, is merely a
platform for the work of the ministry of bringing the Good news of Jesus Christ
to the world, and we need to understand that God’s season has arrived, and
people’s hearts are open like never before. We can experience God’s Power,
Presence and Provision in this season in which we find ourselves in.
I remember
bringing a ripe peach up from the breakfast room, and shared an illustration of
how naturally a tree is able to bear fruit. I have never seen a peach tree
struggle with agonizing screams to bear a single fruit, but on the contrary,
fruit bearing is a natural phenomenon that occurs when a tree find itself
within its fruitful season.
Therefore
we can rest assured that the Lord’s burden is light and His yoke is easy, and
we will find bearing fruit will be a natural process for the season we are in
regarding Gospel Trick Shots. People will be drawn to the ministry of Gospel
Trick Shots like a moth to a flame, and all we will have to do is pick the
fruit off the tree and place them into the basket.
Well, that
day we played the first 3 rounds of the Masters Cup event and we decided to
meet up again the next day in Brother Mike’s room for more fellowship time.
The next
day I woke up with a burning Word from the Lord in my heart. It was to share
the importance of the Holy Spirit and the key of abiding in Him. We read a
portion of scripture from 1 Corinthians 2:1-12. “It was about how we
cannot understand the things of the Spirit with our natural mind and abilities;
however we have received God’s Spirit that we might know the things of God that
we might freely know the things which God has freely given us. The key was to
walk and to abide in the Holy Spirit.”
Our next
portion of scripture was taken from John 15 and 16. Abiding in God is when we
become most fruitful. Abiding in His presence is when we find ourselves in
purpose and in the season we are meant to be in. This is where we discover
where we ought to be, and what we ought to do. I then shared another
illustration from John 16:13-16. Brother Jason also had this scripture on his
heart that morning when he shared, which was an amazing confirmation.
“When
he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he
shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive
of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine:
therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you.”
From this
we see that the Son is fully submitted to the Father and does not live for
Himself. Likewise the Holy Spirit is fully submitted to the Son and does not
live for Himself. So also we ought to be fully submitted to the Holy Spirit and
not live for ourselves, so that when the Father reveals something through the
Son, and through the Spirit to us, we may receive it, so that we can take it to
the world. So the key is for us to abide in God by walking according to the
Spirit.
The
fellowship times we had in the mornings really helped me to play in peace
during the day which helped me to shoot a 54 out of 60 points in my final
session. This inevitably resulted in me finishing off in the top 4 to which I
give God all the Glory! His peace made me to play so much better that I could
have done alone. The precious Peace of Jesus makes a huge difference.
After the
day’s sessions Brother Jason and I had an opportunity to just sit and bond like
never before. We spoke about how God has helped us, and opened doors through
the Gospel trick-shot ministry for us to be a part of. We recognized that we
were sons in the Gospel trick-shot house where Brothers Tom, Mike and Steve
were our spiritual fathers. We recognized our responsibility to keep the GTS RACK members in prayer and to be faithful sons as Isaac was to Abraham in
carrying the wood up onto the mountain where the Lord provided. Gen 22. Even
though we are still young and strong, we need to remain humble and have a
servant heart to run with the vision of the Lord regarding sharing the Gospel
through Trick-Shots. We still have much to learn.
After our
time of fellowship, I had received a Word from the Lord in the form of a
vision. I saw an academy or a school of some sort where ministries would send
missionaries and people from all over the world to be trained up and taught in
the art and skill of trick shots and the sharing of the Gospel through it. I
saw curriculums and material and many people being equipped and disciple
trained for the work of the ministry through Gospel Trick Shot. I knew in my
heart that this shall surly come to pass, a “Gospel Trick Shot
Academy”.
I shared
this Word I had received with Brothers Jason, Mike and then Brother Tom. Tom
and Mike informed me that this was a topic of discussion already when they were
in the Philippines. I believe that this is confirmation of God’s plans to
forward His kingdom of Gospel Trick Shots for the equipping of the saints for the
work of the Gospel Trick Shot ministry.
That night
I decided to get something to eat in town and walked the streets of Shenyang
and found several Pool halls where many people were playing until the early
hours of the morning. One particular pool hall I walked into I found 4 locals
playing some pool and I asked if I could challenge a game. They said it was
fine. The one guy was an Asian looking guy but spoke with a fluent English
accent. He was from London and was visiting China on holiday. His name is Gary.
I played
pretty well and soon I was approached by somebody who said that his boss wanted
me to play him. His boss was the owner of the pool hall. I played him and also
played well and done a few trick shots afterwards to which they were all
amazed. All the games in the pool hall stopped as people came crowing around to
watch the trick shots. I invited them to the venue where the Masters Cup was
being held and to come watch trick shots at its best. They brought out a
Masters Cup poster with Gabi Visiou from Romania on the front of the poster,
and asked if this was the same event. I told them that Gabi was my room-mate
and that they should come.
They
mentioned that there was a fee of 100RMB (+ – $15). I said that I will arrange
for them to attend for free if they came. They agreed to come. I then handed
out my personal business card to everyone, and told them that God loved them as
I gave each of them a warm loving hug. On the back of my card is the following:
Psalms 33:3 – “Play skillfully with a shout of Joy”.
Well the
next morning I met all 4 of them again and introduced them to Brother Tom and
Mike and Jason. They were amazed and blown away by all the great performances
of all the players who were doing their freestyle showman side of the game.
Then Brother Mike called up Gary to play the butterfly shot in front of all the
Chinese cameras. Gary made the shot perfectly first time and he had his 5 min
of fame. After my performance that day, Gary called me aside and presented me
with a glass trophy of friendship award as a token of their appreciation for
everything that happened to them that day through me inviting them. I was
really touched by this.
Later on
Brother Jason was showing me a few Gospel Trick Shots on the practice table and
so I invited Gary to come sit in and listen to Jason. Well, Jason done what he
does best and shot away at his Gospel Trick Shot presentation he does so well.
After that
I took Gary aside and asked him what his stand regarding believing in God was.
He told me that he did not believe in God and that he was an Agnostic. This
gave me the opportunity to share my testimony, and a brief Gospel presentation.
I then asked Gary if he wanted to receive Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior.
Gary said “Yes”, and so we slipped into one of the back passages of
the Hotel and I laid my hands on him and lead him through the sinner’s prayer.
Gary told me that he was glad to do what he did, and thanked me so much for
everything.
Then I
took him back to Jason where Jason then showed Gary how to play some Gospel
Trick Shots. Gary was eager to go back to England and get involved with trick
shots back home. Gary and I will be in contact with each other via email, and
will be given some more material on Gospel Trick Shots and hopefully become a
part of the GTS RACK team one day in England.
That night
after supper, Brother Jason came knocking on my bedroom door being deeply
disturbed. There had been a cultural misunderstanding that happened between
some of the Chinese organizers and Brother Tom and Sister Marty. We did not
know the full story, but however we knew that we had to pray.
I shared
with Brother Jason that it is better for us to pray a God prayer versus praying
a good prayer, and that we need to pray in the Spirit together to hear what God
is saying concerning the situation. Brother Jason mentioned that he had not
prayed in the Spirit before, and so I shared a few Scriptures regarding the
baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues.
Jason agreed that he wanted to be filled with the Spirit and Power and so we
prayed together, and so I laid my hands on him and Jason was filled with the
Holy Spirit and spoke in other tongues.
We prayed
together for about an hour for Brother Tom and Sister Marty. I received a Word
from the Spirit that the relationship between the east and west will not be
hindered, but that the east will humbly learn to respect the God of Tom and
Marty. This manifold wisdom of God was made known by us to the principalities
and powers through prophecy that night (Eph 3:10). God’s peace was in our
hearts.
We then
visited Brother Mike’s room and I was able to spend some good quality time with
Brother Mike. We have such similar backgrounds and experiences that we come
from, and spent some time in prayer and good fellowship.
Another
awesome breakthrough we had in China was one morning when Brother Jason and I
were having some coffee in the lobby lounge downstairs. We were sharing
concerning finances the Kingdom of God way, when Gabi Visiou from Romania joined us at the table. He wanted to know what I was speaking about. This
gave me an opportunity to start sharing with him, which led me into sharing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ with him and the Love of the Father.
Soon there
was a prophetic anointing available to flow in and shared a very personal
prophetic word with Gabi which touched him deeply. God always knows what to
say. I shared the love of the Father with Gabi, and wanted to lead him into a
prayer to make God his Father through Jesus Christ. Gabi said that he wanted to
pray the prayer, but wanted to do it in his own words privately so that it
would be meaningful from his heart. I was overjoyed at this.
After
checking out of the hotel, our dedicated interpreter lady named Jenny, escorted
Sebastian Gumelli and I to the airport via taxi. This was another moment where
God was able to use me to share His love. Jenny and I sat in the back together
on our way the airport, when I was able to start a meaningful conversation with
her. I had noticed earlier that day that while Jenny, Jason and myself were
together, that after Jason had sneezed, that Jenny said “God bless
you”.
Well in
the taxi I thought that this was a good place to start. I told Jenny that I
noticed she said “God bless you” and not just “bless you”,
and inquired why she mentioned God as I thought that China was mainly a
Buddhist nation. She told me that China was mainly a Buddhist nation but she
has learned to respect everybody’s God. I told her that it meant a lot to me
that she also respected my God who is Jesus Christ.
I then
asked her what her belief was regarding God. She told me that she does not
believe in God. I then told her that I know that it is illegal in China for me
to try and persuade her to believe in my God. She agreed with me. I then told
her that I don’t think that it was illegal for me to tell her what my God
(Jesus Christ) thought about her. She also agreed.
I then was
able to share the love of Jesus with her, and once again a prophetic anointing
was available for me to flow in. Very personal and deep secrets of her hearts
were laid bare as the Spirit revealed things concerning her childhood and
father. It was such an amazing experience that Jenny and I were weeping in the
back seat of that taxi together. I then told her that if she ever needed my God
to be there for her, that all she had to do was just call on His name and He
will be there for her. I said that His name is Jesus. She smiled and thanked me
for everything. I knew that an amazing seed had been planted. Jenny and I will
be in contact with each other via email.
My visit
to China was truly an unforgettable experience and I give Jesus all the glory
for everything that happened. I also know that I am still very young in the
international arena of competitive Artistic Pool and Gospel Trick Shots and
still have a lot to learn. My prayer is that God will further open doors for me
to bring God’s love to the world He died for. The Love of Jesus is so powerful!
Brothers
Tom, Mike, Steve, Jason and Rick, I want to say thank you to all of you. You
are all so dear to me and I look forward to serving you all again as the Lord
wills.
May we all
stay the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and continue in prayer for the work of
the ministry of life through Gospel Trick Shots. In His Love, Brother Wayne
**
Filipino Billiards
They’re
at it again. This time, a group of top pros and trick shot artists bring life
and love to The Philippines. They tell all in this week’s full report:
Billiards In The
Philippines – A Full Dossier
Phoo
courtesy of Steve Lillis
Billiards In The Philippines
An
exciting update from a group ministering to Filipinos through the sport of pool
and billiards. For more on this exciting group, please visit Gospel Trick Shots.
Lead
ministries that served as GTS hosts in the Philippines were Word of Life
Ministries headquartered out of Schroon Lake, NY, The Fellowship of Christian
Athletes (FCA) which is perhaps the largest Christian sports ministry in the
world, and World Intent Ministries headquartered in the State of North
Carolina. These exciting ministries would serve as the framework for all the
God would do during the Philippine tour.
The first
stop was Manila with Word of Life located in Laguna and full time missionaries
Jon and Sheila Abraham providing the accommodations and transportation. Steve
and Jon first met and shared their respective ministries at a mission’s
conference last summer at the Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ which
supports both of their ministries. Jon and Sheila worked tirelessly with the GTS Team to provide all that was needed to help make this leg of the journey
successful.
They
stopped their regular activities of running the campgrounds and helping to
coordinate activities at the Word of Life Bible Institute to ensure that all
GTS needs were met. Thank God for devoted missionaries like this willing to
serve and plug into what God is doing! The first GTS Show was done right on the
WOL Campground property on the first Sunday of the trip after church. Steve Lillis spoke during church and then after church Mike, Tom, and
Steve performed and presented the Gospel on the one of two campground pool
tables.
One WOL
staffer remarked, “for years we have tried to get the husbands of some of
our women here for church and Bible studies, and with one Gospel Trick Shot
show they came to hear the Gospel for the first time!
Later on
that first week legendary pro Filipino players Francisco Bustamante, Dennis
Orcollo, and Marlon Manalo helped provide venues, pool tables, and other
accommodations and help. Mike, Tom, and Steve were honored guests at the
Filipino Independence Day celebrations in Manila on June 11 and 12. After
meeting with various mayors, congressmen, and other officials, Gospel Trick
Shot Shows were performed with students being dismissed from school early to
attend in some cases.
Mike, Tom,
and Steve presented gifts with Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman bringing seven
of his world championship medals to be used as gifts. GTS helper Scott Pruiksma
is a fireman and town councilman in his home town of Midland Park, NJ and came
along to help the team. Scott brought a fire helmet from his hometown Midland
Park, NJ and presented it to a Fire Chief in Manila. With each gift giving
ceremony the GTS Team read scripture with the theme verse of 1 Peter 4:10, offered words of encouragement and
exhortation, and then closed each presentation with sincere prayer.
Each time
there were members of the press and other government officials on hand to witness
all that God was doing. One particular show was done for the cadets in training
for the fire department, police, and rescue workers. Other shows that were done
in the Manila area included various shopping malls, upscale pool rooms,
gymnasiums, and community centers.
Next stop
on the tour was the Island of Bacolod were Mike, Tom, Steve, and Scott met with
public officials from much smaller towns than Manila before performing more
Gospel Trick Shot Shows. Again gifts were exchanged as the team again shared
Scripture, encouragement, and prayer. In one particular town 250 people jammed
into a local 5 table pool room to see a show.
It turns
out that the pastor of a local church fled that exact pool room years ago to
leave a life of sin and then go into ministry. This same pastor joined us in
reaching the people of this town with the Gospel and now is committed to go
back into that pool room to rescue souls that are perishing.
Additionally
we presented this pastor with a brand new McDermott Cue Stick as he is an avid pool player and now is a
new Gospel Trick Shot RACK Team member.
Fellowship
of Christian Athletes (FCA) a large U.S. based sports ministry with a presence
in the Philippines led by Filipino Pastor Gary Vistacion helped to provide
other contacts and venues. Churches, community centers, pool rooms, and
universities were the site of many shows on the Island of Bacolod.
It was on
this leg of the journey that both Steve and Tom got sick for a few days each
with stomach viruses and dehydration as Mike soldiered on living up to his
famous nickname of “Tennessee Tarzan”. Another local pool room was
involved with selling drugs and idols that included religious themed statues
which supposedly represented luck and good fortune.
We
specifically preached to put away idol worship and trust only in the finished
work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The local pastors with us indicated after the
show that this was the first time they had an opportunity to penetrate this
area with the true Gospel. Again the team had another opportunity to minister
at a local church for a Sunday service for the third time.
Each time
Steve Lillis would preach, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman would share his testimony, and 17 time
international pool champion Mike Massey would sing his country Gospel songs. At
each church service salvation bracelets were given out to the congregations as
witnessing tools. We rejoice in the fact that we left behind all these
salvation bracelets to help equip the people to take the Gospel to their
streets.
The third
and final leg of the journey came on the Island of Cebu where the tour
continued to pick up even more momentum. Already the team had been on
television twice with the worldwide 700 Club in Manila and a local station in
Bacolod, and now in Cebu a press conference with 12 members of the media
awaiting them in this the fastest growing cosmopolitan area in the Philippines
called Cebu City.
Newspaper
articles and two more television appearances took place with one a worldwide
broadcast and the other local. The shows were scheduled and located in an
upscale mall in Cebu City called the J Center Mall. Rob and Roma Boswell with
World Intent Ministries are full time missionaries and served as gracious
hosts.
Steve
first met Rob at a Legacy Minded Men’s meeting last summer as Rob was there to
share his Filipino ministry. Steve attends two men’s groups in the North Jersey
area with one being the Legacy Minded Men which meets in Lincoln Park, NJ in
Passaic County and the other the Bergen County Society which meets in Franklin
Lakes, NJ. Steve grew up and attended churches in both of these Northern New
Jersey Counties and it is wonderful to still be a part of what God is doing in
this particular neck of the woods. Both of these groups feature many different
ministries and people dedicated to the Lord’s work around the world.
Rob and
Roma Boswell run an upscale Christian themed coffee cafe in the mall in Cebu called the Malakius Art Kaffe. Some of the local Christian businessmen who
help Pastor Rob partnered with the GTS Team to help with various costs and
amenities like hotel, food, and transportation. ESPN Asia and Puyat Sports made
their way down from Manila by flying in a pool table mechanic complete with
pool table and an ESPN Asia representative to stay with the team for most of
the entire week to help pull off a series of shows in this upscale mall.
The coffee
cafe served as a meeting place for members of the media and follow up with all
those involved in the mall ministry. Hundreds of response cards were filled out
during the Gospel Trick Shot Shows with information on attending Bible Studies
in the coffee cafe and an invitation attend the mall church led by Rob Boswell.
Again more
salvation bracelets were given out to help equip those involved with the mall
ministry to share the Gospel with those they come in contact. The GTS team was
taken to “Garbage City” to see where the poorest of the poor live.
World Intent Ministries led by Pastor Rob in the Philippines is doing a great
work there as they have built a schoolhouse right in the garbage dump and also
purchased an off sight large house to take in the malnourished to nurse them
back to physical health and help them spiritually as well.
The team
was treated at the end of the trip by a local Christian businessman to a
weekend vacation out on the ocean at his seaside resort in North Cebu where
they took in a forth Sunday morning service with the entire team ministering
again with Steve doing the preaching, Tom sharing a testimony, Mike singing his
country Gospel songs, and Scott on the camera along with other helps. The team
handed out the remainder of the 1,300 salvation bracelets that we brought from
the U.S.A.
And yes
another Gospel Trick Shot show was on tap that Sunday afternoon as the team
decided to go down the street from the church and do yet another Gospel Trick
Shot Show for the locals and this time it was in a small chicken coup that was
converted into a one table pool room.
Forty-five
people jammed in from the neighborhood to see what was going on and each one
clearly heard the Gospel and in many cases for the first time. The local pastor
served with us and invited all to come to his church nearby and indicated that
he would follow up on this particular outreach.
The GTS
team even found a few more salvation bracelets and then took others off their
wrists to give to the people as a free gift reminder of what they had just
heard. By the way the salvation bracelets are made by the dedicated ladies of
the “Serving Hands” group at the Hawthorne Gospel Church in
Hawthorne, NJ which is Steve’s home church and has been a supporter of Gospel
Trick Shot since the beginning of the ministry back in 1996.
GTS has
distributed tens of thousands of these bracelets all over the world for the
past 16 years. Thanks ladies! The bracelet corresponds to a specific Gospel
Trick Shot that is shaped exactly like a bracelet with all 5 colors of the
Gospel presented using the pool balls: black, red, white, yellow, and green.
The shot
is executed with all five balls disappearing on one stroke of the cue after a
clear Gospel presentation is done with the colors representing the message
similar to the “wordless book” used by missionaries around the world
for decades.
In summary
a 27 day Gospel Trick Shot (GTS) Tour was completed which included 24 Gospel
Trick Shot Shows in 15 different cities on three different islands with
wonderful Gospel Trick Shot sponsors McDermott Cues from the USA, Butch Puyat
and Puyat Sports of the Philippines, ESPN Asia, pro Filipino players Francisco
Bustamante, Dennis Orcollo, and Marlon Manalo, with various Christian
ministries, churches, pastors, and evangelists. Thanks to all for helping
Mike Massey, Tom Rossman, and Steve Lillis minister to the precious
people of the Philippines using our wonderful sport of pool and billiards. Most
of all thanks to our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for dying on the
cross in our place so that we can have forgiveness and salvation. And thanks be
to God that HE has made us to be the Gospel Trick Shot RACK Team. RACK stands
for Recreational Ambassadors for Christ’s Kingdom. What would our Lord have you
to do to help advance His Kingdom around the world for the the glory of God?
Update –
Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, Mike Massey, and Company in China – Right
after the Philippines Tom and Mike head out to China for an international
artistic pool event with 6 other GTS friends including Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch and Wayne Parker from South Africa.
Tom ran
the event with Mike as MC. Jason handled the technical support with Wayne
serving as GTS Chaplain. GTS Bible studies were held as a source of edification
and encouragement. Jason shared his testimony which helped lead a person to
Christ. Doors are opening in China and there are encouraging signs that GTS can
return. After the China event both Tom and Mike went off to Chicago for the
annual BCA Trade Show.
**
Billiards Expo
There
were many pocket billiards friends to see in Philadelphia at Allen Hopkins’
Super Billiards Expo. In fact, it was like:
Old Times At The Super
Billiards Expo
Photo
courtesy of GTS
Trick Shot
A pool trick shot each few minutes, and exciting play and discussion, were the highlights at
the recent Super Billiards Expo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Trick Shot Indeed – GTS Reunion and
Expansion at Hopkins Super Billiards Expo in Pennsylvania
It is always with great joy and anticipation that every year for the past
11 years Gospel Trick Shot friends and supporters meet near Philadelphia, PA at
the annual Hopkins Super Billiards Expo. This year was much the same, however, we
soon realized that GTS has wonderfully expanded this past year by God’s amazing
grace.
The Hopkins Report-Thousands were in attendance in Pennsylvania and we made
many contacts with words of encouragement and sharing. World Champions Robin Dodson and Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman did their usual
vendor booth presentations which gave us two primary points of contact.
Marty “Ms. Cue” Rossman with her servant’s heart was in the
background meeting the needs at the various booths and venues. Many of our
world class artistic pool friends like Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch, Curtis Robertson, Jamie Moody, and new
Gospel Trick Shot friend Wayne Parker from South Africa, all continue to
express a sincere desire to participate in our upcoming Gospel Trick Shot
worldwide outreach events.
GTS Team leader Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch got married right
before the event (congratulations and God bless!), led a GTS Bible Study,
handled the audio/visual, helped with announcements, and placed high on the
leader board in the 2012 WPA World Artistic Pool Championships!
Jason also left for Iraq on March 26th to do GTS shows at a Christian
sports festival representing Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. Curtis
Robertson and possibly Jamie Moody will be assisting Jason next month at the
annual (CSRM) Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry Summit in Dallas, TX.
This will be the 4th straight year that GTS will be in attendance at the
CSRM. Our presence at this particular event has helped fuel our overseas trips
to Africa, Egypt, Iraq, and the Philippines. Please pray as we continue to look
where God would have us serve with our cue sticks, billiard equipment, and most
importantly the Word of our God.
Other GTS friends and sponsors on hand at the Expo was professional
billiard instructor Dominic “The Drill Instructor” Esposito who shares the gospel in his own unique
style while demonstrating his “Pro Skill” Drills routine.
Shari Stauch, editor of Pool and Billiard Magazine shared some
nostalgic photos which led to many discussions about the past as we reminisced
about old friends. McDermott Cues, our lead sponsor in the Philippines,
welcomed us in their booth as did booth vendor (Curtis) Robertson Cues from
Texas.
“NYC Grind” (an Internet pool publication) and the American Pool Players Association (APA) all rolled out the red carpet as we
stopped by and fellowshipped with our precious friends.
Again special thanks to all our many friends and supporters who allow us to
point people to the ONE who has the answer to all of life’s problems and
difficulties. Please continue to pray as we will look forward to being back at
the Hopkins Expo again in 2013!
GTS World Tour Update-The picture accompanying this article is of GTS board
member Rev. Edgar Reich visiting our GTS Team in Nairobi, Kenya this past month
at the Kariobangi Church. New GTS friend and partner Wayne Parker from South
Africa is beginning to make plans to lead our Africa efforts.
Mike, Tom, and Steve are getting ready to go to the Philippines in June
with dozens of GTS Shows planned on three different islands. Scott Pruiksma of
the Hawthorne Gospel Church (GTS home church) will handle the security on this
trip and will represent the fellowship of Christian Firefighters in the
Philippines.
…Remember that Mike Massey started his own pool ministry in a firehouse back in the
1970’s in Chattanooga, TN. Thank you for your prayers and support today–as we
likewise need help to reach the world.
GTS Calendar Updates:
Spring/Fall 2012 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows at Kean University in
Union, NJ in the game room of the student center working with Campus Crusade
for Christ; and William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ in the game room
working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF).
Spring/Fall 2012 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Shows in the university section
of Newark, NJ at ECC, NJIT, and Newark Rutgers working in conjunction with
various campus ministries and World Impact Ministries of Newark, New Jersey.
3/26/12 – 4/1/12 – Jason Lynch perfoming GTS Shows in Northern Iraq with various
Christian Sports Ministries and representing Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.
3/28/12 – Gospel Trick Shot Show at the Van Dyk’s Park Place senior
assisted living home
**
Steve Lillis
The
lastest updates from Steve Lillis are on board this morning. Hope everyone is
enjoying a great week with lots of happy pool shooting.
GTS Updates For
November/December 2011
Photo
courtesy of Tommy Kennedy
Christian Sticks
Thanks And Updates From The Christian Sticks Masters At Gospel Trick Shots
These fellows have the Christian sticks–and they’re showing them to thousands of
eager participants around the world.
Here’s news of spiritual interest for those using their cues for more than
spearing pool balls but for prayerful needs. Pastor Steve, Camille and the gang
are coming my way soon for an exciting pool clinic for hundreds of guests.
We’re looking forward eagerly.
**
This time of the year brings thoughts of business as well as thoughts of
thanks. October is usually the time of year when those with farms are busy
finishing off the harvest and those with jobs such as teaching and office work
are bracing for the holiday season.
Our GTS thoughts are with our dear friends George and Julie Holmes with the
Fellowship of Christian Farmers who are right now in harvest time with their
Upstate New York farm. God has used them to help introduce Gospel Trick Shot to
the country of Albania about five years ago. We continue to wait for the
harvest time of our return to Albania.
Please continue to pray for that as we have a GTS team in place there to
help us deliver pool tables to various churches who would like to partner with
Gospel Trick Shot and conduct coffee houses and pool leagues. In the meantime
God is apparently putting together a trip to the Philippines which is
tentatively schedule to happen after our annual BCA Pool League Gospel Trick
Shot outreach in the Riviera Hotel in May 2012.
In the Philippines we will be working with Word of Life Campgrounds in
Manila and hopefully secure a television broadcast with CBN TV stationed in
Manila. It was about four years ago that Steve appeared twice on the “700
Club” CBN TV broadcasts. Praise the Lord!
Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman is scheduled to join Steve in Manila with
Mike Massey as well schedule permitting. There might also be a possible trip on
the way back home through Africa, Albania, and Qatar, Lord willing. This will
be a one month or more undertaking so we need much prayer and support.
What an exciting month of ministry for Gospel Trick Shot in the month of
October. Another pool table that was donated to GTS was set up by Gospel Trick
Shot board member Ian Grinyer at a youth center in West Milford. Steve will be
doing a show there as soon as final arrangements are made.
Steve did a Bobble Ball demonstration at the “Pool Time” billiard hall
for the director of the Midland Park Rec to be used with the youth for an after
school program and then eventually for the seniors in the community as well.
Further progress has been made on the upcoming book publication entitled
“On the Hill” which is the story of what God has done in the life of
Steve and Camille Lillis and Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.
Steve and Camille left in the middle of the month for the 35th running of
the U.S. Open 9 Ball Championships in the Chesapeake Convention Center in
Virginia. Steve served and was introduced by the officials as the resident
Chaplain of the event. Back home the following week a Gospel Trick Shot
presentation was done at the Crossroads Ministry Center which is part of the
Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Paterson, NJ for the Christian
Cadets which is a group of young men serving the Lord.
A highlight for Steve was when one of the leaders introduced himself and
his two sons in the group and shared that he had seen Steve do a Gospel Trick
Shot presentation some 14 years ago at William Paterson University. Wow what a
thrill for Steve to now be ministering to the next generation with GTS and to
now be considered a spiritual grandfather! Praise the Lord!
We would now like to take the time from our busy schedules to thank all of
you who through the past 15 years have given your hard earned money, prayed
countless hours, and for many of you have actually stepped up and gave your
time to serve alongside of other GTS helpers and friends. Please accept our
sincere thanks in this “Thanksgiving Season” and know that you all
have a share in this great harvest of souls that God has allowed us to
participate in through Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc.
As my pastor from many years ago who is now with the Lord used to say,
“God has yet even greater things that He will do with his
people“. To
God be the glory, great things he has done! We appreciate all of you!
**
Gospel Shooting
Gospel
shooting pro Steve Lillis is at it again now. This time, miracle updates of
good news from the field and abroad as far distant from his home port in the
Northeast U.S. as Africa!
Gospel Shooting Updates
Photo
courtesy of Steve Lillis
Gospel Pool
Latest updates from Steve and Camille Lillis and their gospel pool action, a Christian ministry to pool and
billiards players internationally.
More Reflections-With apparent “bad news” elsewhere God as always
is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28). We went to the Midvale
Gospel Church in Wanaque, NJ in the beginning of the month and shared our
testimony about how God has spared our marriage.
After the Gospel Trick Shot presentation people came up and shared how God
had touched them as they struggle similarly. We asked that all money given as a
love offering to the pocket billiards team would go to our work in Africa. A
deacon told us after that it was one of the largest love offerings he has seen.
Praise the Lord!
The photo accompanying this article shows the pool table in the Kariobagi,
Kenya church with young people coming to Christ “poolside”. Thanks
for your prayers and support!
Reflections by Steve and Camille Lillis
It has been an incredible month of September 2011 and we have experienced a
wide array of emotions. The month started with Hurricane Irene and less than
two miles from our home in Haledon, New Jersey near the Passaic River there was
complete devastation. We were not directly affected, thank God!
One week later we were in upstate New York and missed by a matter of hours
some heavy rains and repeat flooding with the New York Thruway closing behind
us. As one result after the Joss 9- Ball pro event at the Turning Stone Casino
we could not make it to a fundraiser that we planned to participate in for the
Hurricane Irene victims in upstate New York!
The highway finally cleared just in time for us to leave and then we came
back home to a memorial service for our dear friend, mentor, and former GTS
supporter Sara Lauffer, who went home to be with the Lord over the summer. That
same week we received news that our dear friend and ministry partner Tom “Dr.
Cue” Rossman had serious eye surgery, which thank God turned out
wonderfully!
Mere days later, longtime friend and fellow trick shot artist George
Middleditch passed on to glory from a massive heart attack, with GTS friend and
helper Charles Darling having four stents put in a day after that loss because
of his heart problems.
While still reeling from all the news two days later we received word that APA (American Poolplayers Association) franchise owner/operator Gary Hatfield
from Orlando, Florida, who helped make it possible for our Gospel Trick
Shot/RACK Team to perform in August for our disabled vets, had a heart attack
also and went home to be with the Lord. He was also at that special GTS/RACK
presentation in Florida, and deeply touched by the Lord, indicated that his
faith had been fully renewed.
All of us shared the love of Jesus Christ through our gospel pool trick
shots and our personal testimonies of trusting Christ for salvation. Praise
God!
Upcoming Gospel Pool Events
* Fall 2011 (TBD): Bobble Ball events with the Midland Park Recreation Department at
Pool Time in Midland Park, NJ
* Fall 2011 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot Show at Kean University in the
student center working with Campus Crusade (CRU)
* Fall 2011 (TBD) – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at the Passaic County
Juvenile Detention Center in West Milford, NJ
* October/November 2011 (TBD) – GTS Board Meeting in Haledon, NJ
* 10/1/11 – JFM Banquet at Abundant Life in Nutley, NJ
* 10/15/11 – 10/22/11 – Steve and Camille will be at the annual U.S. Open 9
Ball Championships in Chesapeake, VA with GTS Shows and Bible Studies
* 10/25/11 – Gospel Trick Shot presentation at the Crossroads Ministry
Christian Cadet Club at 7 P.M. at the Madison Avenue Christian Reformed Church
in Paterson, NJ
* 11/3/11 – 11/8/11 – GTS/RACK Team member Mike Massey at the Wadi Sports
Festival working with KDEC sports ministry in Wadi, Egypt doing various Gospel
Trick Shot Shows for Egyptian young people!
* 12/8/11 – 12/11/11 – Dr. Cue Classic Cup V at Pockets Billiards in
Crestwood, IL with special Sunday morning RACK Room fellowship
* 12/15/11- 12/18/11 – Joss 9 Ball Tour Turning Stone event in Verona, NY
working with Redeemer.tv Church and the Mohawk Valley APA
* Spring 2012 (TBD) – GTS Show at Southern Illinois University with Mike
Massey and Steve Lillis working with SIU Chi Alpha Campus Ministries
* May/June 2012 (TBD) – GTS return to Africa working with KAG and GTS
African Team in Nairobi and North Kenya near Somalia border
* June 2012 (TBD) – GTS Shows in the Philippines working with Word of Life
(WOL) camps and missionaries Jon and Sheila Abraham of WOL Philippines
* Summer/Fall 2012 (TBD) – GTS Albania Pool Table Project working with www.BobbleBall.com and SourcEnterprises in conjunction with
various Christian Churches and the Fellowship of Christian Farmers
International.
Stay tuned to About.com for the latest gospel pool and Christian billiards
updates.
**
Steve Lillis
The
complete Steve Lillis pool calendar posted online for your convenience today.
Enjoy!
GTS Calendar for 2011-12
Photo
courtesy of Steve Lillis
GTS Calendar
Here is the full pool and billiards GTS Calendar for
2011-12. Don’t miss the action ringside.
Steve Lillis’ GTS is an interesting blend of pool trick shots, stories of
life on the road, and spirituality. Upcoming dates are listed:
Gospel Trick Shot Calendar 2011-12 – changes and additions are forthcoming.
3/4/11 – Prayer Vigil for
missions around the world at the Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ from 6
P.M. to 9 P.M. hosted by Steve Lillis.
3/10/11 – 3/13/11 –
Hopkins Expo in Valley Forge Convention Center with pro tour event, GTS shows
and booth, and daily Bible studies.
3/14/11 – 3/18/11
(TBD) – GTS Shows in the Los Angeles, California area working with
Bobbleball.com and Biola University.
3/20/11 – Gospel Trick
Shot Show at Kentwood Community Church in Grand Rapids, MI with Steve Lillis
and Jason Lynch.
3/30/11(TBD) – GTS
Show at Kean University at 6 P.M. working with InterVarsity Christian
Fellowship (IVCF) campus ministry.
4/2/11 – 4/3/11 (TBD)
– Joss 9 Ball at Raxx Billiards on Long Island, NY.
4/10/11 – Gospel Trick
Shot “Africa” video presentation and discussion at 9:30 A.M. at the
Ringwood Baptist Church in Ringwood, NJ.
4/14/11 – 4/16/11(TBD)
– Christian Sports and Recreation Ministry Summit (CSRM) in Indianapolis, IN
with Gospel Trick Shot demonstrations.
May 2011 (TBD) – GTS
Shows in Dublin, Ireland at various schools working with Doug and Michelle
Fiorilla of International Teams.
5/11/11 – 5/21/11 –
BCAPL Championships in the Riviera in Las Vegas with pro tour event, daily
Bobble Ball tournaments, GTS shows and booth, and daily Bible studies at 7 A.M
each day in the GTS Booth.
June 2011 (TBD) – GTS
return to Africa working with KAG and GTS African Team in Nairobi and North
Kenya near Somalia border.
6/25/11 – 6/26/11(TBD)
– 14.1 Straight Pool tournament with Peter Burrows in Annapolis, Maryland.
Summer 2011 (TBD) –
Turkey and Malaysia working with the ship “Logos Hope” and Operation
Mobilization doing GTS shows with OM Teams.
7/3/11 (TBD) – GTS
Show at Praise Presbyterian Church in Somerset, NJ for college and high school
youth group.
7/13/11 – 7/15/11
(TBD) – BCA Trade Show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center with GTS shows
and booth.
August 2011 (TBD) –
GTS/RACK Show for Veterans Affinity Group in Orlando, FL with Mike Massey, Tom
“Dr. Cue” Rossman, Steve Lillis, and starring our U.S. disabled vets
in cooperation with helper Diane Romano.
Winter 2012 (TBD) –
GTS Albania Pool Table Project working with Thomas Aaron Billiards and
SourcEnterprises in conjunction with various Christian Churches and the
Fellowship of Christian Farmers International.
More about Steve Lillis and the GTS is available on this About.com GuideSite.
**
Bobble Ball
Bobble Ball — New And Fun
Billiards SportBobble this ball for the win–and cash!
$3,000
in cash was given away at the recent Atlanta Bobble Ball tournament, Bobble
Ball being a pool and billiards game you’ve probably never heard of. I say
“given” because three tournaments, a pro, an amateur, and a junior
amateur tournament, all featured cash prizes recently in Atlanta, Georgia–and
without requiring the players to submit any entry fee.
Check it out:
Bobble Ball Atlanta Blast
Billiards
photo of a lovely Bobble Ball courtesy of BobbleBall.com
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Bobble Ball
Bobble ball is
a blast–a fun game combining the action of Nine Ball with the strategy of
Straight Pool and the wild kick shooting of One Pocket.
The new challenging pool
table game of “9 Ball Tag™” had the Atlanta crowd bobbling with fun,
laughter, and competitiveness at the recent Atlanta
Billiard Show. Olhausen Billiards and
Bobbleball.com sponsored a $3,000.oo entry fee-free “9 Ball Tag”
tournament open to all players–who were knocked out of the many other events
as a second chance to win some cash.
With almost 90 players
participating in three different events the tournament format consisted of a
race to four games, single elimination. The tournament director was
professional Steve
“Pastor of Pool” Lillis, founder of
Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc., an organization that demonstrates
“Life Lessons” through artistic pool to audiences around the world.
The strategy of “9
Ball Tag” requires players to “tag” the Bobble Ball with the cue
ball in between every shot in order to earn the right to shoot at the next ball
in rotation. The challenge is that the tag must be executed through a
“kick shot” meaning that the cue ball must kick a minimum of one
cushion before touching the egg-shaped and wildly rolling Bobble Ball.
Other than “This is a
fun game!” the most common response heard by players was, “This game
requires you to think!”
Bobble Ball Tag Ball®
naturally improves your kicking, speed control, and understanding of pool table
dynamics.
Photos Of Tournament
Players And Bobble Ball Events And Rules – Visit The Bobble
Ball Website
Masters/Pro Division at
2010 Atlanta Billiards Show – 12 Pros Accepted:
1st place – Brian White, $500
2nd place – Jason
Lynch, $300
Tied 3-4 Todd Deaver, $125
Tied 3-4 Greg Dix, $125
**
I’ve Gotten Up To All
Types Of Charity Here And ThereNow this is just bloody nice!
I’ve
done a bunch of charity and pro bono events. Is it always hard work? Yes. Is it
always rewarding? Also a yes.
An
overseas colleague has formalized his work for the convenience of fundraisers
and fans for the sport.
Check
out his billiards and snooker tournaments for breast cancer website.
Thanks…
and cheers.
Pool Of Charity
Billiards
photo courtesy of the hood guys of the Gospel Trick Shot Show
Kenyan Billiards
Nairobi Pool!Pool In Africa? Yes!
Pool–like
many other endeavors–is going to be surpassed soon in other lands above the
United States. Mark my words!
What would happen if pool caught fire in China,
for example, as it has in the Philippines? The greater New York City area
hovers around 10 million residents, but China will soon have 100 cities each
with ten million population!
Pool
has really taken off in India and Asia. Today’s article is from friends who
took a recent trip to export pool–to Nairobi, Kenya.
Kenyan Pool…
Billiards
photo courtesy of the hood guys of the Gospel Trick Shot Show
Africa Pool And Billiards
Pool and
billiards is on the rise in Africa, as it has been explosively in Asia and
India in recent years. Friends wrote recently to describe a church missions
trip in Kenya, which included local outreach based on pool with pool pros and
billiards teaching pros!
“…l have to chase
the boys away at times as they stay playing pool ’til night,” says Pastor
Kennedy Salano in Nairobi. He added they “asked me when is the next
tournament?”Pastor Kennedy leads a Gospel
Trick Shot Team in Nairobi, Kenya. This
spring, Africa Inland Mission delivered a beautiful Thomas Aaron pool table to
Pastor Kennedy’s church and it has been a big hit with the kids in this very
poor area.The youth are mentored by
Nelson Mathiu and John Mburu of the Gospel Trick Shot team there–the two are
students at the East Africa School of Theology. They were trained as a team to
serve under Pastor Kennedy, a pool shootin’ professor at their Bible college.
But recently, John had to leave Bible school for lack of funds, but the pool
and billiards go on…”
Whether by hook or by
crook, or by Bible missionaries, it’s great to see pool and billiards furthered
internationally!
**
The
Atlanta Billiard Show
Photo courtesy the delightful Atlanta Billiard Show and Dawn
Hopkins
Atlanta Billiard
Show
The Atlanta
Billiards Show, held October 1-3, 2010 at Georgia’s Gwinett Center, by most
accounts was a success. Somehow show creator Dawn Hopkins produced the event in
between serving on the WPBA Board of Directors, helping youth through the
Billiard Education Foundation (BilliardEducation.org), singing and playing
keyboards for the band Midnight Social, and winning pro tour events this fall!
By her account, attendance
for this inaugural event was solid. “We were so pleased to open the doors
Friday night to a rush of enthusiastic players. We’ve actually had a larger
turnout this weekend than we had anticipated,” said Hopkins. Her flair for
organizing 17 past Super Billiards Expos helped ensure a good time for all
attendees in Duluth.
There was plenty of action
for all levels of players and spectators. The Ultimate Trick Shot Tour held
their Southeast Classic and ESPN was on hand for the WPBA Atlanta Classic
(scheduled to air November 14). A who’s who of the best players and
personalities jousted from “The Striking Viking” Ewa Mataya Laurance
and Allison “The Duchess of Doom” Fisher to Jennifer “9 mm”
Baretta, Vivian “The Texas Tornado” Villareal, Karen “The Irish
Invader” Corr, “Little Devil Girl” Ga Young Kim and more.
On Sunday, Atlanta’s own
Monica “The Assassin” Webb was the local favorite, going hill-hill
before defeating Kim “The Cooler” Shaw in a tense semi-final round,
only to face hill-hill again, this time against “Jassy” Jasmin
Ouschan. The finals were a nail-biter. Both players were near flawless,
snapping in multiple balls off the break and running tables before Webb rattled
the last 3-ball. Ouschan ran out then accepted her new Georgia peach-topped
trophy, teary eyed and exhausted following her recent tournaments tour through
Asia.
A Men’s Open Amateur won
by Nick Vita, a Senior Amateur and a Women’s Amateur were held, along with
junior events (Skyler Woodward and Nick Evans won the 18-and-under and
14-and-under divisions respectively). A thrilling Bobble Ball event featured
$3,000 in prize money from Olhausen Billiards and no entry fee, and 16 pros and
64 amateurs quickly signed on to learn this new game with “Pastor of
Pool” Steve Lillis before taking to the tables. InsidePOOL’s Jason Lynch
placed high on the pro side, showing his mastery with unusual caroms and
billiards, working the egg-shaped bobble ball between every other Nine Ball
shot taken.
Your friends from
InsidePOOL, Pool & Billiards, and About.com including yours truly, were in
Atlanta, signing magazines, T-shirts and even cue sticks for the fans. I
enjoyed putting players through their paces inside a CueTrack™ stroke trainer
with inventors Tony Mattina and Randy Morris at the CueTrack booth, whose table
doubled for performances throughout the weekend from the Gospel Trick Shot
Show.
Resident
“tricknologist” Jason Lynch gave free trick and jump shot lessons
before squaring off to laughter against Tony Mattina to attempt what I call the
“double shatter shot”. Its premise is simple. Two brave players
straddle opposite corner pockets, on the count of three firing two balls at top
speed to collide at the table’s center spot. The stroke must be perfect to
rebound both balls back into the corner pockets, without shattering any lights
or thumbs following impact! More laughs followed as Jason decided to surprise
Tony by shooting at his cue on “2” instead of “3”!
In the main exhibit hall,
a range of vendors displayed some of their finest cue creations, pool gadgets,
training aids, and table accessories. The quality of cue makers and vendors was
high, and I was thrilled to hear the legendary Danny Janes share from his more
than 45 years of custom cue experience. Many of the vendors I spoke with
expressed their eagerness to return to Georgia next year.
The venue was also
quality, with the sparkling and sizable Gwinett Center easily absorbing the
pool events and a major convention for radio host Dave Ramsey on the same
weekend. The location was superb, too. 85% of America’s population may
conveniently reach Atlanta by airline in 2½ hours or less, and no Southeast
pool event can match the new show in scope. Organizer Hopkins also secured deep
discounts for nearby lodging. At the attractive Gwinett Center Holiday Inn, my
lovely room cost less than many Atlanta hotels charge, and the room was nearly
900 square feet in size!
Hopkins ended the weekend with thanks to family and volunteers
for their support and a moving on camera dedication to her father who passed in
September. She hopes to bring another event to Atlanta in 2011. I plan to
attend!
**
Christian Pool Players
Christian Pool Players,
Totally UnitedBorn again Christians and pool hustlers together? Sounds oxymoronic,
doesn’t it?
I
mean, smokin’, hustlin’, boozin’ and wild lovin’ are not in the parlance of the
Christian pool pros. Players and organizations with a religious bend have
recently joined forces to bring the moral high ground to the sport, however.
Jim
Mazulla of the Christian Pool Players Association (CPPA) has said, “Out of
this effort together, Christians are to truly help each other and others become
better pool players. We at all times uphold the highest of Christian standards
morally, socially, financially, etc.–and at the tables also.”
Not
easy to do when the next tournament victory means the rent money to players
like the legendary Tommy Kennedy, then the youngest U.S. Open winner when he
snagged the title in 1992. Tommy refuses to gamble on tour, and not even in
simple calcuttas and other pool wagers, when by skill alone he’d have a huge
advantage in putting a few hundred dollars on his table from your table, and
for just a $5 entry or so.
In
a recent Las Vegas Billiards Expo, a variety of organizations led by Christians
worked in tandem to promote a healthier lifestyle for players and the sport as
a whole. These groups included:
This
story of Christians coming to play is one to watch. I’d be interested in
readers’ tips on other groups aligned in the sport. Are you aware of a
specifcally Jewish Pool League or Muslim Pool League, for example?
Christian Pool Players
Tackling ChallengesTrick Shot Christian Pool
Event Calendar – Steve LillisCalling All Christian
Sticks
Billiards photo of Christian pro Tommy Kennedy, not ranting
because he’s won a lot lately, courtesy of Tommy Kennedy
**
Nice guys
Nice Guys Finish First
First
cousin to a pool rant earlier this week about Borana Andoni and nice
folks playing as pros…
why don’t many of the lovely pool
teachers out there get better recognition?
Steve
Lillis is one of the “nice guys”. He’s on tour yet again bringing his
homey brand of pool trick shots and wisdom to a city near you. Check out his
event calendar as attached.
You’ll
be glad you knew some… Nice Guys At The Finish
Steve Lillis
Christian Gospel Trick
Shot Ministries provided About.com recently
with a list of select tour dates.
GTS is a brainchild of top
player Steve Lillis, who followed world championship play in a variety of pool
games with semi-retirement before returning in the late 90’s to perform about
100 billiard shows annually.
The GTS show is
fascinating and compelling. Some of the top pool players and teachers worldwide
participate in and support GTSM’s efforts. Best of luck to them in the coming
months.
5/1/10 – JFM Spring
Banquet at Calvary Temple in Wayne from 3 – 7 P.M.
5/7/10 – Marriage of Kenny
Fuehring and Sarah Lillis in Totowa, NJ.
5/11/10 – 5/22/10 – BCA
Nationals at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, NV with GTS Booth, U.S. Open 10
Ball pro tour event, daily Bible Studies Sat – Fri 8:45 A.M. – 9:30 A.M., and
daily GTS shows and challenges.
5/30/10 – 6/9/10 – Mission
Trip to Tanzania, Africa working with the Hawthorne Gospel Church and Africa
Inland Mission (AIM) in the Lake Victoria Islands with GTS shows and athletic
and pool/billiard competitions.
6/10/10 – 6/19/10-
Nairobi, Kenya to work in the Mathare Valley slums area doing GTS Shows and
pool/billiard competitions with Christ’s Church of the Valley (CCV) of Phoenix,
AZ, Kenya (AG) Church, the Kenya Pool Club and “Sport 4 Good”
Campaign, and All Africa Pool Association (AAPA).
7/14/10 – 7/16/10 – BCA
Trade Show working with Thomas Aaron Billiards and SourcEnterprises with Fred
& Devra Robledo and www.bobbleball.com.
7/21/10 (TBD) – 13th
Annual Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. Board Meeting at 445 McBride Ave.,
2nd Floor, Paterson, NJ 07501 @ 7:45 P.M.
8/6/10 – 8/8/10 – Annual
Lillis Family Reunion in Hershey, PA.
8/18/10 – 8/22/10 – Joss 9
Ball at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY with Steve serving as pro
pool/billiard tour Chaplain.
9/1/10 – Steve returning
to teach at WPU for his last semester before stopping and working full time in
2011 and beyond with GTS Ministries.
9/10/10 – 9/12/10 (TBD) –
MBB National Convention in New Jersey.
9/21/10 (TBD) – GTS Show
at William Paterson University at 12:30 P.M. in the Student Center working with
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
10/16/10 – 10/23/10 – U.S.
Open 9 Ball Championships in Chesapeake, VA with pro event, GTS Shows, GTS
Booth, and daily Bible Studies.
12/ 2/10 – 12/5/10 (TBD) –
Artistic Cup IV with Tom “Dr. Cue” and Marty “Ms. Cue”
Rossman in St. Charles, MO with pro competition and shows.
12/15/10 – 12/19/10 – Joss
9 Ball at the Turning Stone Casino in Verona, NY with Steve serving as pro
pool/billiard tour Chaplain.
12/26/10 – Steve and
Camille leave by car for GTS West Coast Tour including Phoenix, Los Angeles,
New Mexico, and Texas El Paso.
Winter/Spring 2011 (TBD) –
GTS Shows in Dublin, Ireland at various schools working with Doug and Michelle
Fiorilla of International Teams.
Winter/Spring 2011 (TBD) –
GTS Albania Pool Table Project working with Thomas Aaron Billiards and SourcEnterprises
in conjunction with various Christian Churches and the Fellowship of Christian
Farmers International.
Visit the website for Christian Gospel Trick
Shot Ministries
**
Christian Gospel Trick Shot Ministries provided About.com recently with a list of select tour updates.
GTS is a
brainchild of top player Steve Lillis, who followed world championship play in
a variety of pool games with semi-retirement before returning in the late 90’s
to perform about 100 billiard shows annually.
The GTS
show is fascinating and compelling. Some of the top pool players and teachers
worldwide participate in and support GTSM’s efforts. Best of luck to them in
the coming months.
[b]October 2008[/b][/p]
[p]
10/3 – 10/5 Steve Lillis and Edgar Reich visit Operation
Mobilization in Tyrone, Georgia to mark their 50th Anniversary and plan a
possible GTS/OM Sports Link, forming a billiards division.[/p]
[p]
10/9 – 10/13 Trick Shot Shows at University of Minnesota
with International Student Friendship Ministries.[/p]
[p]
10/11 – 10/12 Predator 9-Ball Final Event at Raxx Pool Room
in Hempstead, New York.[/p]
[p]
10/17 – 10/19 – Hawthorne Gospel Church 2008 Missions Conference
with the theme “Dare to Serve”.[/p]
[p]
10/19 – 10/25 – United States Open 9-Ball Championships at
the Chesapeake Convention Center in Virginia with GTS shows and Bible
studies.[/p]
[p]
10/25 – 10/26 – Steve Lillis’ 40th Wayne Valley High School
Class Reunion at the Wayne Elks Lodge in Wayne, New Jersey.[/p]
[p]
[b]November 2008[/b][/p]
[p]
11/1 – 11/2 Joss 9-Ball event at Comet Billiards in
Parsippany, New Jersey.[/p]
[p]
11/14 – 11/16 – Dr. Cue Classic Artistic Cup II and RACK
Room at Big Shot Billiards and Bar, East Windsor, Connecticut with Sunrise
service on Sunday morning.[/p]
[p]
11/21 – 11/23 New Jersey State’s Jack Colavito 14.1 Straight
Pool Championships at the Comet Billiards in Parsippany, New Jersey.[/p]
[p]
[b]December 2008[/b][/p]
[p]
12/12 – 12/19 Reno Open 9-Ball Championships with GTS shows
and Bible studies in Reno, Nevada.[/p]
[p]
Winter 2009 – GTS 5th Albania trip to deliver and set up
pool tables in various Christian churches and to develop Christian pool
leagues.[/p]
[p]
Summer 2009 – GTS Philippines trip working with the
Philippine Challenge Sport’s Ministry, and GTS shows and crusade.
JAMES BOND AS POPULAR ICON: GOLDFINGER AT 60 (AND 55)
Call For Papers for SAMLA ’91 — Goldfinger—the seventh James Bond novel by Ian Fleming published in 1959—has achieved an iconic status in the series. The novel brings together many of Fleming’s chief strengths as a writer—such as his vivid creation of larger-than-life-villains, suspenseful description of competitive games, and evocation of the power of precious metals and stones. The novel also introduces key “gadgets” such as the Aston Martin DBIII, and explores key Fleming themes such as organized crime, homosexuality, and American culture. Equally, if one film can claim to have established the identity of Bond as a global cinematic icon, that film is Goldfinger. Guy Hamilton’s 1964 adaptation set the formula of the Bond movie for decades, complete with thrilling pre-title sequence, dazzling opening credits and powerful theme song (sung here by Shirley Bassey), deadly henchman (Oddjob) and the gadget-laden car (the Aston Martin DBV). This panel will use the 60th and 55th anniversaries of novel and film in 2019 as an opportunity to examine the enduring power of various elements of the Bond “formula” created by Fleming and the filmmakers, and to reevaluate the continuing popularity of Bond in popular culture. Paper proposals are invited on any aspect of Fleming’s novel, Hamilton’s film, and the relationship between the novel and its adaptation. Given the conference theme of “Languages: Power, Identity, Relationships,” papers that explore the language of Fleming, and/or issues of power, identity, and relationships in Goldfinger are especially welcome. Please send 250-word proposals, brief bios, and A/V requirements to Oliver Buckton (obuckton@fau.edu) and Matt Sherman (baconbond@gmail.com) by May 15th, 2019.
BondFanEvents has a coupon we can share with buyers of The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Forever–the book that arose from a set of prior SAMLA discussions–a 30% discount when purchased direct from Lexington books (in either an electronic or hardcover edition)!
Send us a PM, and note the new book cover as shown here and on site: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498567589/The-Many-Facets-of-Diamonds-Are-Forever-James-Bond-on-Page-and-Screen#
What joy! A collection on my favorite Bond book, the one with most wit. This sparkling collection offers interesting perspectives both on the film and on the more lackluster but still worthwhile novel of that title. Both novel and film focus on America during its age of unrivaled power.
— Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, author of The World of James Bond: The Lives and Times of 007The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Foreveroffers an abundance of riches for both Fleming scholars and fans. In particular, Guy Hamilton’s 1971 adaptation of Fleming’s novel receives considerable attention and, in the phrasing of one of the volume’s fine contributors, proves to be a ‘key transitional film for the Bond series.’ Readers and viewers alike will find much of value in this anthology.
— Stephen Watt, Indiana University
(Interview with the author, available at https://jamesbondradio.com/inside-oliver-bucktons-new-book-the-many-facets-of-diamonds-are-forever/)
JAMES BOND’S IDENTITY CRISIS: ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE AT 50
Call For Papers for SAMLA ’91 — In 1969, the world of film was presented with an almost unthinkable breach of protocol: in the new James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (OHMSS) the familiar face of Sean Connery was no longer James Bond, instead; the global icon 007 was represented by an unknown Australian actor/model, George Lazenby. As Lazenby’s only Bond film, OHMSS has been neglected—and maligned—as a “misfit” in the James Bond series. Not only does the film begin with Bond attempting to resign from the Secret Intelligence Service, but it is the only film in which Bond—the permanent bachelor–does the unthinkable and gets married to Tracy di Vicenzo (powerfully played by Diana Rigg). The tragic conclusion of the film and escape of Ernst Stavro Blofeld also makes it an anomaly, a radical departure from the “Bond defeats the villain and gets the girl” formula. The time has come, at this 50th anniversary of the film, to reevaluate it and examine the “identity crisis”—both that of James Bond himself and of the Eon Bond film series—it represented. This panel welcomes papers on any aspect of the 1969 film of OHMSS, directed by Peter Hunt, and/or the novel by Ian Fleming, published in 1963, of which it is a surprisingly close adaptation. Please send 250-word paper proposals, brief bios, and A/V requirements to Professor Oliver Buckton at Florida Atlantic University (obuckton@fau.edu) and Matt Sherman (baconbond@gmail.com) by May 15th, 2019.
BondFanEvents has a coupon we can share with buyers of The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Forever–the book that arose from a set of prior SAMLA discussions–a 30% discount when purchased direct from Lexington books (in either an electronic or hardcover edition)!
Send us a PM, and note the new book cover as shown here and on site: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498567589/The-Many-Facets-of-Diamonds-Are-Forever-James-Bond-on-Page-and-Screen#
What joy! A collection on my favorite Bond book, the one with most wit. This sparkling collection offers interesting perspectives both on the film and on the more lackluster but still worthwhile novel of that title. Both novel and film focus on America during its age of unrivaled power.
— Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, author of The World of James Bond: The Lives and Times of 007The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Foreveroffers an abundance of riches for both Fleming scholars and fans. In particular, Guy Hamilton’s 1971 adaptation of Fleming’s novel receives considerable attention and, in the phrasing of one of the volume’s fine contributors, proves to be a ‘key transitional film for the Bond series.’ Readers and viewers alike will find much of value in this anthology.
— Stephen Watt, Indiana University
(Interview with the author, available at https://jamesbondradio.com/inside-oliver-bucktons-new-book-the-many-facets-of-diamonds-are-forever/)
Discount on Outstanding new bond title
BondFanEvents has a coupon we can share with buyers of The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Forever–a 30% discount when purchased direct from Lexington books (in either an electronic or hardcover edition)!
Send us a PM, and note the new book cover as shown here and on site: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781498567589/The-Many-Facets-of-Diamonds-Are-Forever-James-Bond-on-Page-and-Screen#Released: New Cover Art for The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Forever
What joy! A collection on my favorite Bond book, the one with most wit. This sparkling collection offers interesting perspectives both on the film and on the more lackluster but still worthwhile novel of that title. Both novel and film focus on America during its age of unrivaled power.
— Jeremy Black, University of Exeter, author of The World of James Bond: The Lives and Times of 007The Many Facets of Diamonds Are Foreveroffers an abundance of riches for both Fleming scholars and fans. In particular, Guy Hamilton’s 1971 adaptation of Fleming’s novel receives considerable attention and, in the phrasing of one of the volume’s fine contributors, proves to be a ‘key transitional film for the Bond series.’ Readers and viewers alike will find much of value in this anthology.
— Stephen Watt, Indiana University
(Interview with the author, available at https://jamesbondradio.com/inside-oliver-bucktons-new-book-the-many-facets-of-diamonds-are-forever/)
Check out an in-depth interview with Dr. Oliver Buckton, Fleming and Bond expert and editor of a new book focusing on Diamonds Are Forever as a book and film. I’m happy to have contributed a chapter to this exciting new work.
And, speaking of Diamonds, join us in Las Vegas for one of our many Bond fan events!
We've Visited Over 1,350 Bond Book and Film Scenes in Person!!
