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I dedicate the 2012-2013 year of campus preaching to the memory of my faithful friend, Mike Leisner. |
Dear Saints,
On Monday, August 20 at noon, we will kick off the Fall semester at the University of Missouri. Summer has been a wonderful time of prayer and preparation for us. We are ready! On the 22th of August we will depart on a four month mission trip to campuses in the midwest. Please see our schedule at the bottom of this email. Our team needs your continued prayers so that 2012-2013 will be a year of great harvest.
We are saddened to announce that one of our great prayer-warriors, Michael Leisner from Minneapolis, has gone to be with Jesus. As his wife Jan said, "Mike walked with God and he was not, for God took him," Gen. 5:24. We know that this mighty saint who did many exploits for the Lord had won many victories for us in the spiritual realm.
Four to five hundred mourners lined up this past Thursday night from 5-8 PM to give their condolences to the Leisner family. When Cindy and I left at 8:15, the line was still out the door. Friday morning another four to five hundred attended the funeral service. This man touched a multitude of lives. I may have lost my greatest prayer warrior. I am looking for volunteers who will take the place of Mike to intercede for our mission to the campuses. Of course prayer warriors like Mike are not plentiful. He was in the tradition of Father Nash, George Muller and Rees Howells. Mike was a one man army in the spiritual realm. This is why I asking for a number of volunteers to replace him. Pastor Dan Erickson testified that he was with Mike when he came off a 70 day fast. Seven days is about max for me.
I was honored to give Mike's Eulogy which you may read at the end of this e-letter or view using the link below.
In Christ's Service, Bro. Jed
| Mike Leisner Eulogy |
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Modern Christian Logic 101 |
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JUSTIFYING THE WAYS OF GOD TO MEN
May 14, 2012, University of Washington
Under questioning, I reconciled God's love with a right understanding of his omnipotence and his omniscience. I dealt with aspects of the moral law which modern man finds so objectionable such as a father selling the labor of his daughter. As always I justified the ways of God to men. Yes, I even justified and explained God's laws against shell fish, wearing clothing of mixed fabric, etc. I explained that since the coming of the Messiah these laws are no longer relevant nor are they needed. I am not embarrassed over any of God's laws, doctrines or actions especially the doctrine of eternal damnation. I am not ashamed of either the precepts or often severe penalties of broken law.
 | Bro. Jed justifying the ways of our great God to rebellious men at the University of Washington. |
A girl in short shorts I corrected for being inappropriately dressed for an academic setting. I suggested finishing school. She informed me that she had attended finishing school, but she did not like it. She was not going to have men or society dictate what she would wear. She is only the second college girl that has told me she attended finishing school. I spoke of how good morals and good manners are interconnected. When one is lost, the other is lost, or eventually will be.
All in all it was a good day with generally edifying conversation. The crowd was not as large as I anticipated with such good weather. Sometimes unusually good weather can be a hindrance. Students want to take advantage of the ideal weather and do others things than listen to a preacher.
Sister Pat held forth with a group of 6 to 8 productively for an hour. A significant number of students who listened today were regulars from previous years.
Today was sunny and almost eighty degrees which is much better weather than we usually experience in Seattle this time of year. My past visits have been wet and on the cool side. The predictions are for sunny weather all week and in the low 70's or high 60's. I expected a large crowd but we probably never had more than 25 listening at one time as we spoke in the center of Red Square.
I gave a message from John 8:42-45. I emphasized that that the students cannot understand or hear God's words because they are children of the devil; he has been a liar, thief and murderer from the beginning. They have been deceived by Satan and he has killed them spiritually. Because I speak truth to them, they refuse to believe. They do not want to live according to the truth. They love their lies and have chosen to embrace a fantasy. I told them that God became a man in order that man might become divine. God wants men to be godlike in character and to be immortal. The devil is a usurper who has opposed God from the foundation.
 | Sis. Pat had a fruitful session with a small group for over an hour. |
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ELEMENTARY EDUCATION AT THE UNIVERSITY
May 15, 2012, University of Washington,
A Jewish female asked Sister Pat, "What is your educational level?"
"I have a degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas. That makes we qualified to instruct you people," Sister Pat replied.
The weather was sunny and in the mid-seventies today. Sister Pat got the attention of the students who were already sitting on platforms in Red Square.
During my first stint I taught, "Sex Ed with Brother Jed." As I was going into question answer mode, four policemen arrived. One asked, "What are you doing?"
"Exercising my first amendment rights," I replied.
"We have complaints that you are talking in a vulgar matter," the policeman responded.
 | This girl interrupted Sis. Pat to exhort the students to a "happy sex life." |
I answered, "I am not speaking anything that one would not hear in a Human Sexuality course in the classroom."
He checked my ID and called to get a report. He handed back my ID and I reopened my remarks from the time the police interrupted. The police again interrupted. "You need to go to the office and sign in."
"You are mistaking; I do not have to do that," I replied.
A well-dressed Asian girl asked, "What about anal sex?"
I asked the policewoman, "May I answer that question? It is a vulgar question."
The policewoman said, "You may answer any questions from students."
"The anus is not a sexual organ. It is an exit, not an entry hole, I answered."
The policewoman startled me we she said, "I do not see anything wrong with anal sex." She made a few other vulgar remarks. She was not a masculine type but actually pretty.
 | Police officer announces to the crowd that she sees nothing wrong with anal sex. |
The police eventually left and I told the crowd that it was time for Sister Pat to give us a female perspective on the birds and the bees.
During Sister Pat's stint the modest looking Asian girl exhorted the crowd concerning kinky sexual practices. She finally left wishing the students a happy and healthy sex life. To her marriage was irrelevant. They know not that the only way to happy and healthy sexual intimacy is in marriage between a man and a woman.
An atheist harassed Sister Pat crowding her and following all her moves. Later a group of four followed and mimicked all of my moves. By mid-afternoon the students settled down and I had profitable dialogue on free enterprise vs. socialism, rules of Biblical interpretation, Heaven and Hell, alleged Biblical contradictions, comparative religion, and psychology. I explained that most psychological disorders are rooted in guilt and hopelessness. Belief in Christ gives a clear conscience and provides the faith, hope and love that we all need for good mental health. When anyone of these three are lacking, there are serious psychological consequences. Psychology literally means the study of the soul. Every soul needs faith, hope and charity. The greatest is charity, which is the love of God.
 | Bro. Jed explained that every soul needs, faith, hope and charity. |
The last hour I was in intense Q & A with Rachel who was filled with questions. I was eyeball to eyeball with her. Her repeated question was, "How do you know that you are not deceived by the devil into thinking you know God but actually you are worshipping the devil?" I repetitively answered with the words of Jesus, "If any man will do God's will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."-John 7:17.
If we confess our sin we will have the witness of the spirit which is a clear conscience. The word God is a contraction of the word Good; God promotes what is good and the devil promotes what is evil. Admittedly, we need to be careful because the Bible warns that Satan disguises himself as an angel of the light. So knowing God requires discernment and discernment require study and putting into practice what we are learning.
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DOES ANYONE REALLY PRACTICE CHRISTIANITY ANYMORE?
May 16, 2012, Western Washington University,
I dropped Sister Pat off to catch the crucial noon break, while I parked the car. I arrived on Red Square at the end of the class exchange and could not find Pat. I preached the last few minutes of the break but I missed the main flow and decided I would wait for the hour. Pat came on the scene; I asked if she had gotten lost. "No," she replied, "I just could not decide the best spot on the square to start."
I supposed Pat could tell I was perturbed so she started preaching about 12:15 with a few passing. She did not get much attention initially. From time to time she used her tactic, "Are you a Christian?" If the person says yes, she asks, "Are you living holy?" If he or she says yes or hedges, she asks, "Are you a virgin?" More often than not the answer is no. "Why aren't you a virgin?"
 | Sis. Pat draws a crowd by asking the students personal questions like, "Are you a Christian?" |
Or if one says he is not a Christian, Pat asks, "Why not?" After Pat pesters them eventually someone often says, "Well, let me ask you a question." Then Pat is off and running the race.
In due course Pat got a few to stop with her aggressive approach. After a while a weirdo came up with a Bible and started reading some of the hard core penalties for certain sins out of the OT. Pat repeatedly responded, "Amen." Then she called for me. As he continued to read I pointed out the death penalty for adultery and other sins affirms how seriously God takes sin. The NT sustains that, "The wages of sin is death." The Bible reader and my commentary soon drew a large crowd that ranged up to 100 for most of the afternoon.
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A man reading Old Testament laws helped draw an attentive crowd. |
After the Bible reader departed, the gathered audience was attentive and subdued. Several were promoting the idea that the Abrahamic religions all believe in the same God. This is a prevailing view which I suppose is being propagated in the class room. I refuted that by teaching on the doctrine of the Trinity, which sets the God of Christianity apart from Moslems and Jews who reject Jesus as the Son of God. This often requires me to explain the Trinity, which I enjoy.
 | Once the intimidators gave up, Bro. Jed had a long session of intelligent dialogue. |
A middle age lady stood beside me looking into my face for a good fifteen minutes. I suppose the silly woman thought she could intimidate me. But I made a pretense of acting like I assumed that she was really interested. Soon a few others joined her and gathered around attempting to carry on a distractive conversation while encircling me. Their tactic did not work since it was obvious that most students wanted to hear what I had to say. The want to be intimidators finally gave up. Another fellow with dread locks attempted to gain attention not so much to harass me but just because he craved attention. Eventually the hecklers stopped and I had about 90 minutes of productive dialogue courteously answering their questions avoiding some of my usual satire.
 | Bro. Jed defends the law of God. |
Holly, a religion professor, politely asked my theological position on key issues. She said that some of her students would be listening to me. She did not attempt to rebut my positions. I suspect that she may be one of those rare instructors who actually attempts to be objective, fairly explaining the different doctrinal issues in religion without taking sides.
I was asked by a female in the crowd, "What do you think of homosexuality?"
I answered, "We do not go there. Students tend to be too emotional to have rational dialogue on that topic." I worked to avoid being too provocative without compromising fundamental truths of the Christian faith.
Finally, I turned the meeting over to Sister Pat. I was sitting at a picnic table when a pretty, well dressed and wholesome looking girl sat down with me and asked, "What is this all about?" I assumed that she was a Christian and somewhat surprised when she turned out not to be. Nevertheless, we had good conversation. I explained to her, "The students are upset because we are pricking their consciences. If they will listen to their consciences, their consciences will lead them to God." She answered, "That makes sense."
 | There is a preacher of the Gospel in there somewhere! |
After the sweet girl left a Christian girl approached me to inform me as that my approach was wrong. Soon she also was objecting to my message when she found out that I did not believe people were inherently sinful. She became more negative when she discovered that I believed that by the grace of God we could overcome sin in this life. I was stern and straightforward with this hypocrite. She thought she was a mature Christian, but in fact she knew very little. I will give her credit for not getting angry and leaving. A couple of other mouthy females joined her to defend sin in the name of Christ. They claimed that all Christians are hypocrites. I opened my Bible to show them verses which they refused to receive.
After Pat turned the crowd back to me, the multitude was much stirred apparently over the holiness doctrine, which was the main issue for the rest of the day. One twerp, with a paper back Bible which appeared to appeal to teens containing the new NIV translation, was vigorously defending sin with select Bible verse like Roman 3. He was virtually dancing around me every way I turned. He was like a fly buzzing around my head. Others joined him in siding with the devil to inform everyone that it was impossible not to sin. Of course, they were defending sin in the name of Jesus. A few boldly stood against the crowd and commended me for my stand on behalf of God. There is a large Christian community on this campus. I believe the Chi Alpha group here is one of the largest in the country.
It was an excellent day. We left a sizable crowd at 5:15, many of them inquiring if we were planning on returning tomorrow. We certainly are; I would not want to miss this fishing pond.
Sister Pat said as we were walking back to the car, "I redeemed myself for my indecisiveness in not preaching over the noon break." That she did by getting the initial ones to stop.
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"NOW I SEE!"
May 17, 2012, Western Washington University
After over an hour of preaching we were still struggling to gather an audience when a masked man came out carrying a sign which read, "He is not representing campus Christians." Soon I had a crowd of over 150. The lone signer stirred others so that I eventually had up to 8 people holding signs protesting me or promoting Satan for the rest of the afternoon. The multitudes were too rowdy for me to call on Sister Pat. But for most of the afternoon she had clusters asking her questions. At one point she had a group of Christians around her complaining about our unloving approach, when a girl came up to Sister Pat and tearfully said, "Thank you for coming. I have talked to so many people today both Christians and non-Christians. This has been so interesting." On the other hand another girl complained to Sister Pat, "You people are disrupting this university; they are talking about you in classes all over campus." Kevin, one of the few Christians, who publically expressed qualified support, told me, "I have had all sorts of opportunities to witness over the last two days because of your preaching."
 | "People are talking about you preachers in classes all over campus!" |
By mid-afternoon I still had a large circle around me and the whole scene was hectic. I was speaking mostly sound bites since things were too chaotic to develop extended thoughts. A Christian, who seemed somewhat supportive, suggested that I just have a conversation with him and students would gather to hear what we had to say. I thought that this could be the Lord's leading, so I agreed. He began by asking, "What experiences have you had to convince you of Christianity?" Suddenly, the students enclosed around us to hear my answer. For the rest of the afternoon the tone of the questions was more serious.
One student asked, "Why was the death of Christ necessary for God to forgive ours sins?" This allowed me to expound on the atonement for thirty minutes illustrating Christ's work with the story of King Zelucus, who atoned for his adulterous son's sin. The King put out one of his own eyes as a substitute for the penalty of his decree which demanded that adulterers be blinded.
A student asked, "Why did not the King put out both eyes of his son?" Another inquired, "Why did not the King put out both of his own eyes?" The first question enabled me to expound on the letter as opposed to the spirit of the law. The second inquiry prompted me to explain the King's responsibility to keep himself in a condition and place to govern his subjects effectively. Any ruler has an obligation to rule his subjeBy mid-afternoon I still had a large circle around me and the whole scene was hectic. I was speaking mostly sound bites since things were too chaotic to develop extended thoughts. A Christian, who seemed somewhat supportive, suggested that I just have a conversation with him and students would gather to hear what we had to say. I thought that this could be the Lord's leading, so I agreed. He began by asking, "What experiences have you had to convince you of Christianity?" Suddenly, the students enclosed around us to hear my answer. For the rest of the afternoon the tone of the questions was more serious.
One student asked, "Why was the death of Christ necessary for God to forgive ours sins?" This allowed me to expound on the atonement for thirty minutes illustrating Christ's work with the story of King Zelucus, who atoned for his adulterous son's sin. The King cts lovingly. Someone had to man the throne while Jesus was doing his atoning work. That someone was our Heavenly Father.
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It was "no small stir" at Western Washington University. |
Several wanted to shake my hand at the end of the day and express their appreciation of my preaching, including some of the more intense hecklers. A few of the Christians even thanked me. A Calvinist followed me back to the parking lot saying that by claiming that I was living without sin I was demeaning the gospel message. Evidently, he thought that the gospel was glorified by God forgiving us while we continued to sin. Pat was encouraged when a haughty girl confronted her with Paul's claim to be "chief of sinners." Pat patiently went over verse after verse from the NT until the girl said, "Now I see; one can live victoriously over sin." Sin is blinding; truth opens blind eyes. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." How can one understand God's holiness and remain in sin?
One mocker held a sign all afternoon which read, "IF YOU DON'T SIN, JESUS DIED FOR NOTHING." 
Interestingly, this statement of an non-believer is very close to the position of most evangelicals who think God and his gospel are glorified by forgiving us as we continue to sin. The fact is God is glorified by the transformed life. Saving faith in the gospel turns a sinner into a saint. Not a sinner who is merely accounted as righteous by God while he continues to sin, but trust in Christ's atonement makes a man actually righteous.
It was quite a day!
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JUST WHAT WAS THE ORIGINAL SIN?
May 18, 2012, University of Washington,
The temperature dropped considerably today and the sky was overcast when we started. When I preached at the 12:20 break, I did manage to gather about a dozen who appeared to be listening. Homosexuality was the first issue. I also dealt with questions concerning evolution. My main argument was that evolution is an attack on the dignity of man. Regrettably, students have generally lost their sense of dignity in their bodies, dress, manners, language and general deportment. They live more like animals than humans. Yet, down deep each man wants to be treated with dignity, not as a mere animal or vegetable or machine. Thus he intuitively knows that evolution cannot be true. But it is easier to descend to the level of beast then to rise to the level of God. So, men deny that they have the stamp of God and have exchanged his image in them and prefer the image of fish, birds, four-footed beasts and creeping things. In my youth we referred to homosexuals as creeps.
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"Evolution is an attack on the dignity of man,"
Bro. Jed Smock |
Within forty minutes I lost what turned out to be my largest gathering of the day. Eventually, Sister Pat addressed another small group for a significant period of time. She got into a heated debate with a man concerning holiness. He was defending sin. I entered into the dispute when he mentioned that he was raised in the Church of God of Anderson, IN., which I knew had a Wesleyan holiness heritage which he was now denying. I suspected that was why he was so intense. He was hearing from Sister Pat a message which he had grown up with but was now denying. He was now arguing that all men are sinners. Unfortunately, he had to go to class before I could instruct him out of 1 John.
Rachel, the girl with whom I had gone eye ball to eyeball with the other day, returned. She did not have so many good questions today. She informed me that she had asked them all the other day. We were having a discussion about the true believer being motivated by the love of God and not merely the fear of God, when the issue of homosexuality came up again. It is amazing how men are consumed with this issue. Any discussion I have with students they always seem to want to bring homosexuality and same sex marriage into the topic. Our hostess suggested tonight that it was because they somehow know that it is wrong but they are looking for arguments as to why it is wrong. My answer is that it is obviously against the laws of nature. Unfortunately, Rachel, like most students, associates natural law with what goes on in the animal kingdom. I explain that natural law is the law of design. Obviously, the woman was created for the man; the vagina was created for a penis. The sexual organs were created for procreation; the anus is not a sexual organ. It is so simple. Unfortunately, these people have been deceived by the devil.
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Campus wedding at the University of Washington |
Some have suggested that the forbidden fruit of Genesis was sodomy. I am wondering if there is not something to that idea. Oral and anal sex seems to be the main forbidden fruit that people, even professing Christians, are craving for, or at least justifying, today. It has become a major issue in the old mainline churches. Suppose the original sin was connected with sexual sin which Eve had with the serpent and followed by lustful indulgence of Adam and Eve. Then it all ends with God judging the world with a flood after "the sons of God came into the daughters of men." [Whatever perversion that may have been.] Then later we have Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed for sexual perversion. Also, the idea fits in with the Romans 1 explanation of the moral descent of man from intuitively knowing God and his creative order, but ending with "women changing their natural use to do which is against nature: And likewise the men leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly. . ." Could sodomy which possibly may be traced back to the Garden of Eden ultimately bring God's final Judgment upon the earth?
The last 30 minutes I had a long talk with Thomas, who was convinced that man's behavior is simply a result of electrical impulses in the brain. I answered, "If this is so, then we should no longer speak of cowards and heroes, villains and lawmen, immoral and moral men, selfish men and loving men, etc. All of these terms have a moral dimension. We should remove all moral terminology out of our language such as lying, stealing, raping and murdering, and also honesty, faithfulness, loyalty, integrity, and courage." Actually, these positive terms are rarely part of our discussion anymore. The Christian twerp at Western Washington on Tuesday, who so vigorously opposed me, said, "Justice cannot be defined."
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Fall Semester 2012
This is my tentative schedule for the Fall Semester 2012. There are so many campuses and so little time. Should anyone want to arrange a church or home meeting while I am in your area please contact me. Also, let me know if you are interested in scheduling formal debates with atheists, Muslims, or Christians, who disagree with my message or methods. One student leader recently contacted me that he wanted me to speak to the Young Republicans on limited government and free markets. I am still open to changes. I will be doing my tour of the Southwest and California in the Spring Semester 2013. Sister Cindy and Sister Pat will be accompanying me full time this year. Any Christians, who are interested in joining us on the road for a while, or who want to meet us on campuses in your area, are welcome. Bro. Jed August 20-21, University of MissouriAugust 22-24, Missouri State UniversityAugust 27-28, Illinois StateAugust 29, University of IllinoisAugust 30, Purdue UniversityAugust 31, Grand Valley StateSeptember 1-2, Iron Sharpens Iron Conference, Atlanta, MISeptember 4-6, University of MichiganSeptember 7-8, EEM Conference, Shipshewana, INSeptember 9, Chapelwood Church, Rockford, ILSeptember 10, University of Wisconsin, Eau ClaireSeptember 11, University of Wisconsin, River Falls,September 12-14, University of MinnesotaSeptember 16, Abundant Grace Fellowship AM; PM Church meeting September 17, University of Northern IowaSeptember 18-19, University of IowaSeptember 19, Calvary Evangelistic Center, Independence, IowaSeptember 20, University of Wisconsin, PlattevilleSeptember 21, UW, MadisonSeptember 22, UW, Milwaukee,
Seminar on Evangelism, 9 AM-5 PM
September 23, Cornerstone Church,
Spring Green, WI
September 24-25, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
September 26-28, Michigan State University
October 1, Purdue University
October 2, Indiana University
October 3, Indiana State University
October 4, Purdue
October 5, Indiana University
October 8, IUPUI
October 9-10, Indiana University
October 11, IUPUI
October 12, Indiana University
October 15, University of Kentucky
October 16, Morehead State
October 17, University of Kentucky
October 18, Asbury College
October 19-21, Missions Conference, Grayslake, IL
October 22-26, University of Nebraska
October 29, University of Wyoming
October 30-31, Colorado State
November 1-2, University of Colorado
November 5, Colorado College
November 6-7, Kansas State
November 8, Washburn University
November 9, Kansas University
November 12-14, University of Central Arkansas
November 15, University of Arkansas, Little Rock
November 16, Arkansas State
November 19-20, Georgia College
November 25, Pine Grove Church of God,
Live Oak, Fl
November 26, University of Florida
November 27-28, University of Central Florida
November 29-30, University of Florida
December 3-7, Florida State
Pray for us and the students!

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Michael Leisner
Eulogy by Jed Smock Aeadline
Michael Leisner was a bear of a man. He was of Germanic stock. He stood 6 foot 2 inches tall. He had large hands and a firm grip and a firmer grip on the gospel.
Mike appeared to be taller than he was, because he had a way of speaking in which he bent over peered into your eyes in order to look into your soul. Then he spoke to your spirit. He towered over his fellows spiritually because he loved righteousness and hated iniquity. Everything Mike did he did enthusiastically as on to the Lord.
Mike Leisner was a man, like Stephen, "full of faith and of the Holy Ghost." He walked in the power of God.
Like Stephen, Mike served tables. Mike faithfully served my ministry. When I first met him in the early 80's, he was at a low point in his life. He was living in an abandoned hotel with a sterno for heat and a knife under his pillow to protect himself from the squatters.
Mike heard about my open-air preaching at the University of Minnesota. He liked my approach and started joining me in preaching at the U during my annual visits. Mike would always call a special meeting of his friends to hear me and he would gather a large offering for my mission. One of his, as well as his wife Jan's, greatest gifts was hospitality. Mike was a promoter, who knew how to draw crowds principally through prayer and the preparation of plenty of good food.
It did not take long for Mike to make a comeback from his low point through real estate deals and buying and selling cars. However, he gained his most tangible wealth when he met Jan, whom he married in 1988; Mike's vision and Jan's level headedness made a strong combination. Within a short time both his son, Garrison, and nephew, Scott, came to live with them. Other treasures were soon added as with the arrival of Grant in 1992, Whitney in '94, Wesley in '96, and Luke in '98--all of whom Mike trained to be warriors to advance the cause of Christ.
Mike was man mighty in the Word of God. Mike got saved at age 12 after reading the whole Bible. When he got to Revelation, he humbled himself and repented.
He always sought to be led of the spirit in every aspect of his life including his business. He and Jan regularly held prayer meetings in their home. His home was always open to anyone in need of ministry. When Mike purchased a house, his first project was to set aside a prophet's room for travelling ministers. Many times over the decades I enjoyed the Leisners' hospitality.
Like Paul, Mike was in fastings often (2 Cor 11:27). Actually, Mike fasted more than any man I have ever known. He went through a number of 40 day fasts; he tried to do one annually starting at each New Year. His reaction to any crisis was fasting and prayer. He and Jan together fasted for forty day at the beginning of this year.
If one had prayer needs, it was generally understood, Mike was the man to call. Kathy Fisher wrote me after Mike's passing and said, "I remember when my son was in the Intensive Care Unit at Regions Hospital literally at death's door. I KNEW I could call Mike Leisner and he would pray and God would hear his prayer. God heard - I will never forget Mike Leisner."
I am convinced that more than any other factor it was her husband's prayers that brought Jan through her late health crisis.
After Mike prayed for anyone, he insisted, "Now you pray for me." And he met right then, not later.
He had a hearty laugh for Mike could see humor in almost any situation. When Mike was in high school, he wanted to be popular so he studied humor through compiling books on the subject. By the time I came to know him, he was no longer studying humor; he himself was a study in the art of comedy. He could make the soberest of men experience a good laugh for he truly understood that laughter is the best medicine. And he had no objections to laughing at himself.
Yet Mike was very serious about spreading the gospel. When proclaiming the good news, Mike was clever, creative and unconventional. He wrote the most unique and provocative tracts. In the eighties he had his own radio show, The Consuming Fire Broadcast, covering the greater Twin Cities area.
Mike got his start showing films for the Billy Graham association. But with Mike's creative mind, he would soon develop his own style of evangelism. He put together teams to preach at bus stops on Hennepin Avenue.
Mike hated sin. And would not accept any excuses for sin. He was a preacher of righteous. There were two things Mike could not abide, smokers and wine bibbers, especially if they were professing Christians. He was an activist in the anti-abortion movement and toured for a time with one of the leading anti-abortionists of the late 70's. On many occasions he confronted and strongly opposed the pornographic industry.
Mike was in many ways a controversial figure. If I were to write a biography of him, I would call it The Escapades of Michael Leisner. Merriam Webster defines "escapade" as "a usually adventurous action that runs counter to approved or conventional conduct."
Mike did not seek men's approval, but God's will. He was not predictable in his actions whether in business, church, evangelism or even family life. He was always faithful.
Life around Mike was an adventure, which is why so many were attracted to him and perhaps some men feared him and could not abide in his presence. It was always a wild ride running with Mike. Even a train or a plane ride was an exciting journey with Mike. I should know; we rode trains together evangelizing England and my family flew with him and his family to Rome, to Athens and back--all at Mike's expense. Mike preached through conversing with me and he usually succeeded in drawing others into his conversational web.
Mike was a man of two books, a well-worn Bible and a well-worn dictionary. Mike knew the importance of words; the right word at the right time had the power to transform a life. He was quite the wordsmith and master of the pun.
Mike was always active in a local church. Mike liked mega churches. He was a people person; the more people the greater the opportunities for ministry and to network with other believers. Mike wished to stay in background in his church life. He preferred to serve the church as a prayer intercessor.
For years the Leisner family attended Crystal East Free Church; typically Mike arrived early Sunday morning before any of the pastors or deacons and spent the morning in intercessory prayer. The church had more than one service; he would attend one with the family and pray through the other services. He constantly tried to get men to join him in the prayer chapel.
He was always welcome in the prayer closet but he was rarely invited to speak from a church pulpit. No problem for Mike, for he found his pulpits outside of the church. Mike usually had the respect of church leadership, especially as he stayed in the prayer closet.
Only God and the devil know the victories he won in the spiritual realm through intercession. Mike once gave a sermon at a Bible conference entitled, "Are You Known in Hell?" He understood that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."-Eph 6:12.
Like Jacob of old, Mike wrestled with God, not against God. Wrestling with God is the highest form of prayer. He wrestled until God must have said, "Mike, the match is over; you have finally prevailed!"
Since Mike would never let go of God, God took this prince away from us to be into the His permanent presence. Now he has joined the great heavenly crowd of witness which surrounds the faithful. He has heard the words we all hope to hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."-Matt 25:33.
What was the cause of his death? I do not know what the medical profession would say, but I believe the spirit of prophesy would answer, "The zeal for my Father's house hath eaten me up."-John 2:17.
Amen.
 | Whitney, Grant, Wesley, Jan, Mike and Luke |
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Prayer Needs
- Revival!
- Wisdom and annointing of the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel.
- Move of the Holy Spirit convicting the students of sin, righteousness and judgment!
- Health and physical strength.
- Favor with the authorities.
- Favor with the Christians on campus.
- Open doors.
- Monthly Supporters
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Contact Us:
brojed@aol.com
573-999-0347
Home Office:
CMUSA
2402 Longview Dr.
Columbia MO 65203
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Donate:
You may give through PayPal by clicking on the button below. (You do not need a PayPal account to use PayPal, just a debit card.) If you prefer, you may mail a check to our home office.
Thank you for your generosity.
CMUSA is a
nonprofit organization and your gifts are tax deductible.

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Help on the Home Front
Partners in Mission
Below is a list of ways that you on the home front can help us in the 2012-2013 school year.
Prayers and intercessions: We cannot stress the importance of prayer enough. We know that we have faithful saints who pray for us daily. We believe that this is a key to our success. Drop us a note or an email and let us know that you are praying for the ministry.
Financial gifts :
Monthly Support-- A number of you send us a check each month. This is a great blessing, whether large or small, because it helps with budget planning. We invite others to consider being a monthly supporter. If you have online bill pay with your bank you can schedule a check to be sent to CMUSA each month automatically, that way you don't have to remember to do it. Another easy way is to just click the Donate or PayPal button on this letter. (You do not need a PayPal account but can use a debit card.) Or you may mail a check to our home office. If you plan to support us monthly, drop a note or email and let us know.
Anytime, Any Size Gift-- This provides a great percentage of our support.
Church and home meetings:
Bro. Jed has many powerful messages and teachings to bless the believers in your area. When he comes to your community don't miss the opportunity to hear a call to evangelism, a challenge to live holy, or an inspiring teaching on the atonement. It will change lives! Ask your pastor to invite him to your church or Sunday school class or just plan a small home meeting to bless and revive your friends and family.
Hint: If you provide food, (even just pizza) people will come! Contact us for more info.
Lodging and/or meals: If you can provide lodging in your home that saves us an enormous amount of money as well as giving us the blessing of fellowship. Even one meal or night is a great help. Thank you to all who do this yearly! We look forward to seeing you in 2012-2013.
Join us in the battlefields when we come to your community--your witness for just an hour or an afternoon on campus can make a difference! Take a week vacation and travel with Bro. Jed and team.
Visit our website at brojed.org and tell others about it.
Subscribe to Bro Jed's e-journal and receive a weekly report. This is a day-by-day account of the highlights on campus as well as some inspiring teaching and apologetics, plus lots of great pictures. Learn how to defend the faith. Get revived!
Tell a friend about CMUSA! Forward the weekly e-journal.
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