Jack Jewett's Story
I was raised in a middle class family of good parents, a younger brother and sister.
Married in 1961, to my first wife at too young of an age. I had two sons Jeff and Jason, and was divorced 17 years later.
Met my current and last Bride Mary in 1976. Starting in 1979, lived with her for 8 years before we recorded our marriage. We moved to South Dakota in 1988.
My business career, starting at the age of 20, was in the life insurance business. I then added other types of businesses. I did have a fun job as a commercial pilot flying a fleet of Hot Air Balloons for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company.
Met my Bride Mary when I was her instructor as ahot air balloon student and obtained her private pilot's license from me. We become best friends before we became a couple. Years later, I evolved into the mortgage and real estate businesses in South Dakota at the age of 47.
I was raised in a secure, encouraging way by my parents and thought I was okay. In business I came to believe more money and things were evidence I was successful. I thought I could achieve all that I could perceive. I was the founder of a group of 24 companies and became a multi-millionaire at the age of 33. My life was all about money and things.
You see I did not know that God had a plan for me. A Plan for good and not evil. (Jer 19:11) I did not know that "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18) You see seven years later I was a million dollars in debt and all had collapsed. My marriage to my first wife was not good and my family was a wreck!
You see God has placed a God shaped hole in each of us and desires it be filled with HIM. I tried to fill it with drink, women, toys, and anything but Him.
On various occasions, my Bride Mary witnessed to me about God and His Son Jesus.
Fast forward to one night in Nemo, SD at the Nemo Community Church. I was in a bible study with Mary and for the first time I heard bible verses from Romans 9:16-18.
Verse 16 says “It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy”.
WAIT! I thought it did depend on me! I had never heard this before. If it was not up to me then who?
Then I heard Romans 10:9-13.
9 That if you confess (agree with God) with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
13 for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Well, I knew I had never done this. I had felt for some time worthless and empty and I could not do this anymore. There was a hole or void in me that nothing before had ever filled. Not money, toys, alcohol, women, etc.
You see I came to understand that SIN was anything I did other than GOD'S WAY. To believe that God had sent HIS SON JESUS for me like I was the only one on earth to save my from myself and from Hell.
I finally came out of my MAN CAVE, with my hands up, and that night I surrendered and believed HE (Jesus) died, was buried, and arose again so I could be forgiven. He would take all my sin on Himself and forgive me of all my sin and guilty feelings.
My life as a Christian was not all at once perfect. However, I had a NEW Priority.
One to be all about people and relationships rather than money and things (All that Stuff). I did desire to develop opportunities to introduce Jesus Christ to other men and disciple them to the point they can share in the same desire with others.
As I have grown in my life with Jesus I have also grown in my relationship with my Bride Mary. God has given me the blessing of seeing her as a most precious gift. Under God and before ALL others, she is my number one priority.
Mary and I have recently come to a point where we believe God desires us to work in the Hill City Area of South Dakota specially. We have been encouraged by pastors and others to be the founders and servants to the Hill City Area Ministry Center to be named Hill City Gathering Place. I have personally felt called by God to work with men, which then affects the whole family. The Gathering Place has given me more chances to work one on one and to multiply the efforts for the Kingdom.
Pastor Andy Stanley tells about asking three men what they were doing with a pile of stone. The first man said "breaking up stones." The second man said "just doing my job." The third man said "Building a Cathedral!' This man had a Calling and Passion in his life to give his life real meaning.
In summary, I wish to repeat God's word that spoke to me, like I was the only person on earth, and that changed my life forever.
Romans 10:9-13
9 That if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
13 for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
If you are like I was in Nemo, South Dakota and wish to change your life today, I invite you to pray with me to God privately where you sit, please bow with me now.
DEAR GOD
I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness.
I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins.
I am willing to turn from my sins.
Turn 108 degrees and go the opposite way.
I now invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Savior.
I am willing, by God's strength, to follow and obey Jesus Christ as the Lord of my life.
AMEN!
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