Suddenly Silenced

Pictures flash before my mind as I focus on the extraordinary life of John Wesley White. I see him as an associate evangelist with the premier evangelist of our time, Billy Graham. Dr. White is addressing great throngs of people all over the world, and at his invitation, thousands are coming forward to receive Christ as Saviour and Lord of their lives. I see this son of the Saskatchewan Prairies leaving the farm to follow the call of God to ministry, preparing his heart and mind in experience and education, studying at various colleges-culminating in a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Oxford University in England and before joing the Graham organization. And enduring image for me is one of this preacher/scholar traveling from north Toronto by subway to make his frequent guest appearances on Canada's daily TV show, "100 Huntley Street." He's dressed for the occasion, and there's a ready smile and greeting for other passengers. The morning newspaper is before him as he prepares to share the Scriptures in light of the headlines on network television, and later on send his comments on the news to Dr. Graham. He walks briskly into the studio, newspaper tightly tucked under his arm. These are not just "still" shots, they are "moving pictures." I see John pouring his life into the life of Franklin Graham, while mentoring this future leader of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. I see a grieving father at the funeral of his pilot so, Wesley, whose life was lost due to a plane crash in the far north. This montage of images shift to Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, where I visited John for the first time following his stroke. He initially speaks only one word, "Jesus." Next time I visit, he speaks three words, "Jesus is Lord." Never have I experienced more dogged determination to regain speech. I see him again with me on "100 Huntley Steet," His determination to once again communicate the gospel is evident to all. He is a powerful example to others, as a well as victims of strokes and their loved ones. His appearance shouts across the continent, "Never give up!" This book is proof that, with God's help and a stubborn refusal to give up, his brilliant mind and great heart need not continue to be trapped inside a prison of a body which refuses to cooperate. I'm amazed and challenged by this publication of yet another of the many wonderful books authored by such a great man, Dr. John Wesley White. David Mainse founder of Crossroads Christian Communications-100 Huntley Street.