Billy Graham Volunteer Liberty

Ministry in New York December 2001

The following is from Dr. David Hocking:
excerpt of newsletter (weekly)

Subject: 'WHAT HAPPENED ON SEPT. 11TH?'
Scripture: Isaiah 25:1-5, 8-9

1. The PREDICTIONS of possible terror attacks in our country became a reality!     Psalm 91
2. The PROMINENCE of the World Trade Center and its symbol of economic achievement was destroyed in one day!  Job 31:24-28 'If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined, or the moon walking in brightness; and my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the Judge; for I should have denied the God that is above.'
3. The PENTAGON as a symbol of our military superiority revealed it is vulnerable to attack!  Psalm 20:7 'Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the Name of the LORD our God.'
4. The PRIORITIES of government and media shifted immediately to the war on terrorism!  Romans 13:3-4
5. Our POLITICS were set aside temporarily in the interest of national unity!
Philippians 3:20 'For our conversation (politics) is in heaven: from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.'
6. The PAIN of thousands became our national concern and burden!  Job 2:12-13 'And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him; for they saw that his grief was very great.'
7. The PLACE of our civil servants was elevated in our minds and hearts! Romans 13:6-7 'For this cause pay ye tribute also; For they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.'  Titus 3:1-2 'Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.'
8. Our PATRIOTISM was restored through this tragedy! Proverbs 14:34 'Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.'
9. The PLAN for Homeland Security was given immediate attention! I Thessalonians 5:3 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety, then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.'
10. The PROBLEMS of our economy became more pronounced! Luke 12:15 'Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.'   read also I Timothy 6:5-11
11. The PRAYERS of a nation were given importance once again! II Chronicles 7:14 'If my people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.' read also II Timothy 2:1-4
12. Our PERCEPTIONS of the Islamic religion and its agenda for the world became our serious concern! Psalm 83:3-5 'They have taken crafty counsel against Thy people, and consulted against Thy hidden ones. They have said, Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation; that the name of Israel may be no more in remembrance. For they have consulted together with one consent; they are
confederate against Thee.'
13. The PEACE in the Middle East became more difficult and dangerous!
Ezekiel 13:10 'Because they have seduced My people, saying, Peace; and there was no peace' v. 16 'the prophets of Israel which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of  peace for her, and there is no peace, saith the Lord God.'
14. The PRESSURE for world unity, cooperation, and control has increased
dramatically! Genesis 11:4-9; Revelation 13:4-9, 16-17
15. The PROLIFERATION of weapons of mass destruction has accelerated!    II Corinthians 10:4 - 'For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.'
16. The PURSUIT of religious unity and tolerance that ignores doctrinal differences is rising at an alarming rate! I Timothy 4:1-2; II Timothy 4:5; II Peter 2:1-3; I John 2:22-26; 4:1-6; II John 7-11
17. The PROPHECIES of the Bible became issues of major interest
Luke 21:25-26; II Peter 1:19-21
18. The POSITION of Israel in the prophetic plan of God has been attacked by Christians who accept 'replacement theology.' Jeremiah 31:36-37; Romans 11:2
19. The PERSUASION of believers in the return of the Messiah has become stronger than ever! Philippians 3:20-21; Titus 2:13
20. The PROMISES of God have not changed! Isaiah 46:9-11; 55:10-11; Matthew 24:35

I was so thrilled that the Lord opened the door to minister in New York December 16-24. I had expected to work mainly at Mt. Sinai hospital and part time in the evenings with the Billy Graham Prayer Center as a counselor. When I called Chaplain Florence Sunday, she had dislocated her knee and could not meet with me until Tuesday afternoon and the Rabbi was out of town until Thursday. I reported for orientation at Harvest Christian Fellowship Monday morning. There were 300 volunteers most came from Calvary Chapel churches and came in a group. There were five of us, without groups, so we became a group. We were given our assignments each morning. Some to work at Ground Zero, some to Nino's Restaurant, some to Saint Joseph's, some to Saint Paul's, some to the Salvation Army, some for street evangelism, some to the fire stations, and some to the Lamb's store. There was also work to be done at Harvest, receiving and labeling literature, preparing the room for orientation and other meetings and preparing framed lithographs for fire stations. Lithographs was my groups assignment on Monday. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and some Sunday I did get to work in the hospital briefly. I went to a two hour prayer meeting at the Billy Graham Prayer Center but did no counseling there. The Lord used me to minister to the chaplains at Mt. Sinai and provide them some long term help from others and a lot of literature. There are three pages of pictures. [ New York 2 ] [ New York 3 ]


Departing December 16 7:00 a.m. from Ontario	Connecting to Dallas/Fort Worth

We were delayed two hours due to rain.	I stayed at the YMCA on 63rd near the SW corner of Central Park


On my way to Harvest each morning I would go down Central Park South which becomes 8th St. to Broadway then left on 46th St., about a 3/4 mile walk.	A closer view of the statue on the corner

The main dispatch center for the Billy Graham Prayer Center is at Harvest Christian Fellowship on 56th near Carnegie Hall.	This is the view from the church up towards Carnegie Hall.

Believe it or not, this is the front door to the church which also serves as a dance studio during the week.	The fellowship hall on the third floor was our meeting place for orientation, worship, devotions, and deployment.

The church was so gracious and hospitable to the 300 volunteers that came to help the week of Dec. 17-24. Bagels, cream cheese, orange juice and coffee served daily at 10:00 a.m.	Most people came in groups of ten or more, mainly Calvary Chapel churches. I and four others came alone, so we became a group. Our first assignment was to work at Harvest to mat and frame lithographs for 150 fire stations in Manhattan. Two of my team members were Patrick on the left, who is a V.A. chaplain from South Dakota. Diana is a jail chaplain in Arizona. Raul on the right is on staff at the church, giving instructions, setting up sound and refreshments were among his many responsibilities.

Here are my other two team members, Camille, and her granddaughter, Nicole from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Camille's son, and Nicole's dad's name is Dana, so I was instantly adopted into their family.	Monday afternoon our team got on the subway to deliver lithographs to two fire stations. At the first the fireman in charge accepted the wrapped gift and thanked us. The second station invited us in for a long visit and pictures.

There is a ladder company and an engine company in each station.	The whole team from left to right: Camille, Dana, Diana, Patrick and Nicole.

This station had lost nine men on September 11. The families are very close. The Captain who died was promoted postmortem as he had already earned the promotion. The roster for that day is permanently posted.	Coming back from the fire stations Monday night, I got lost in Central Park but found some beautiful trees.

The Lamb's Store at the Lamb's Theater Manhattan Nazarene Church on 44th St. offered free Christmas shopping for laid off and displaced workers. My team and I worked here four days. After shopping they could enjoy punch and cookies and a warm fire. Then go upstairs for counseling, Bibles, tracts, and Christian CD's.	Since I speak Spanish and many of those seeking aid did, I sat at the front desk taking people's name address, and phone number, and inquiring about the number of children and adults they would shop for and giving them a number. Another volunteer would then help them shop, and another would pack their bags from an inventory in the basement.

The Lambs Theater built in 1904 continues to show off-Broadway plays	This is some of the literature given out from Harvest Christian Fellowship. All of it is stamped by staff or volunteers with stickers for both the Prayer Center and Harvest.

The first of couple of days the weather was mild then it cooled off and rained.	If you look close you will find a black poodle in this mans bag on the subway.

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Ministry in New York December 2001