Cassandra’s Story

Several years ago, “Matt” (one of our church members, dressed in a gorilla costume) was working at our church’s annual “Gospel Booth” (the place where we give both tourists & locals the gospel, free cookies & lemonade– and, they can stick a pin in our map to tell us where they are from)… Anyway, our theme that year was “Creation vs. Evolution” and we were handing out copies of a Creation DVD.  Well, Cassandra was given a free DVD by “Matt the Gorilla”. She took it home and began watching & studying the issue…

Then, in the summer of 2013, “Ed” and “Tom” (two other men from our church) were working with Cassandra at the “Flintstones Campground” in Custer. They were talking with Cassandra about Dinosaurs, Creation, & Evolution… Cassandra mentioned to Ed & Tom that there was a “gorilla” that gave her a DVD a few years ago, and she really learned a lot about Creation… Ed told Cassandra, “…I know that gorilla, he goes to my church…”  Ed invited Cassandra to come to church, and, finally, in November of 2013, Cassandra came to church with Ed, and a few weeks later, Cassandra got saved!!! (A few months later, she was baptized, and joined with the membership of Mountainview Baptist Church).

Then, by 2014, Cassandra was also volunteering her time, down at our “Gospel Booth” — helping others “stick a pin in the map”, and giving them the gospel, as well… (sigh)… who says it ain’t fun being a born-again Christian — helping others to find the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE!!!!

Cassandra passed away in February of 2023.  Here, she is pictured with Karen Adams who passed away, in September of 2017. (Now, both of these women are back together again — in Heaven!)

Years ago, “Tom” was saved, and then, baptized, at our church. God used Tom and Ed to help bring Cassandra to church, and to the Lord Jesus Christ! Tom went home to Heaven in 2015. Now, he and Cassandra are together, in Heaven! The other man, Ed, was chosen to be one of Cassandra’s pallbearers at her funeral, while “Matt the gorilla” — being unable to attend the funeral service, was recognized as an ‘honorary pallbearer’. (God writes the best stories!)

“Matt the Gorilla”

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But, then, something extra special happened– Cassandra’s husband, Jim, began attending church services on Easter Sunday, and has hardly missed a Sunday, since. In August of 2023, Jim even volunteered at our “Gospel Booth”, himself! And, then, in October of 2023 (just 8 months after Cassandra’s funeral), Jim publicly confessed his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was baptized, as well! (*SIGH*… God really DOES write the BEST stories!)

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”  ~ Ephesians 3:20-21