GTS Calendar For 2016 And Beyond: Free Trick Shot Performances
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 BeyondGTS 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 Schools Central 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 News GTS 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 Philippines West 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 Park The 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 Amaze GTS 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 ’14 Calendar 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 2014 News 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 GTSAmazing 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 Ball and 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
- Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman
- Mike “Tennessee Tarzan” Massey
- Steve “Leapin” Lillis
- Jason “The Michigan Kid” Lynch
- Rodney “Triple P” Fontaine
- Matt “Quick Draw” Sherman
- Diane “D” Romano
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 teaching 40-shot teaching video by 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 Lillis PS. 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 Sherman The 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.
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- Gospel Trick Shot Ministries
- Christian Pool Players Association
- Cue4Christ.com
- Recreational Ambassadors for Christ
- Bobble Ball
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.