This page has photos from the Florida State University and our very last tour stop in Jacksonville.

As with most campus stops, this started out quiet and built up over time as the preaching and the signs began to draw attention. F.S.U. is a huge campus with over 40,000 students. Joining us on this stop was Dr. Patrick Johnston with another of his own banners. Patrick is also a graduate of F.S.U. and stayed here to preach long after we had packed up to move on to the next stop. Also preaching at this stop was Mike Marcavage of Philadelphia, and Pastor Jeff Peterson of Minnesota, and Bruce Evan Murch.

This young man was offended that Patrick had the nerve to tell him he was hell-bound. He pointed to Mike (who had not started preaching yet) and said, "Why can't you do it like this guy? He came over and asked if he could talk to me while I walked. That's OK. He didn't try to ram it down my throat".  Someone asked, "Did it work? Obviously not. That's why we're here to preach!"  Bruce pointed out that the guy he respected so much (Mike) was getting up to preach the same way in just a few minutes. He made it clear he really wasn't interested in a dialogue at all, just to criticize our preaching.

All the Murch kids were involved in this stop and a lot of literature was going out until the police approached Bruce and told him that it was against school policy to pass out any literature at all.  Bruce pointed out that the school is a public university, and as such, is a "traditional free speech forum" according to the Supreme Court. The officer fetched the Chief of the Campus Police, who gave it a shot with Bruce. Bruce asked if there was w written policy which established a "free speech zone" on the campus. The Chief said "No." Bruce pointed out that in the absence of a written policy, the entire campus was a free speech zone, and that this speech included the distribution of printed literature. He told the Chief that the school risked a lawsuit enforcing a policy that was clearly contrary to established Supreme Court Rulings. The Chief produced the school's written policy. Bruce just shook his head and said he couldn't possibly comply with that. The Chief, obviously uncertain of his position, insisted that we would have to stop, but did nothing to stop us when Bruce refused. Much literature went out to the students. 

"Brad" argues with Beverly Murch. It became clear from his arguments that he was a young man who was mad at God. He spent a great deal of time talking with both Bruce and Bev, and began to soften at the end of the conversation. We promised to pray for him. We do pray that Brad will come to a place of repentance and trust Jesus for salvation.  At right, Lauren and Hannah Murch argue with a foul-mouthed product of the government school system that suggested maybe God was a "huge computer in the sky" controlling everything. She asked the girls to explain why abortion is wrong without bringing God into it. Lauren told her that she didn't have to give an explanation that left out truth. The girl's equally foul-mouthed friend rescued her from the discussion when she couldn't prove that abortion was right.

Eventually, a crowd of about 200 had gathered. The crowd was rowdy, and of course, there were a couple of persistent hecklers. This young man was indignant that we would compare the erroneous Supreme Court ruling against black (Dred Scott case) with Roe v. Wade. The way he spoke, it seems he was in chains himself for 400 years, and it was all Bruce's fault!  Others, some claiming to be Christians, shouted the age-old mantra "Judgmental! Judgmental!" 

As Bruce and Patrick tag-teamed the crowd, it was an education to hear the crowd make excuses for their sin and perversion.  Even though it seems fruitless sometimes, we know that these encounters are used by God to change hearts. And if hearts are not changed, He uses it to condemn them for failing to respond to His warnings. "For it pleased God, by the foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21

Jacksonville was our last stop on the tour before heading back home to Virginia. Bruce was called to respond to a disgruntled restaurant owner and went to investigate. The owner was irate that we had our signs set up in front of his place and claimed he was losing business. Bruce pointed to another restaurant across the street, which also had signs in front of it, and cars were streaming in. "Perhaps it's the quality of your food, and not our signs", Bruce suggested in a helpful way. "You seem to be doing well enough to afford to stay out here with me during the lunch rush". Not only did he stand out there and block our sign with his body, he directed two more of his employees to come out and stand in front of our other signs!

Mike Marcavage tries to witness to this woman blocking his sign. The sign reads, "Warning! Abortion atrocities displayed ahead!. Below, Michaeljohn Murphy witnesses to another sign-blocker. Traffic was thick, and contrary to his claims, the restaurant owner was getting too busy to stay out there, and eventually went back in to feed all those people who weren't staying away because of our signs.

The police finally arrived after about a half hour and explained to the owner that there just was nothing he could do about us being there. The restaurant owner from across the street ran over when he saw the police, only to get the same disappointing answer. This was a great stop and much literature was passed out.

The tour was finally over, and we parted with the Missionaries, weary after two weeks of travel, but hating to say goodbye to those whom we consider part of our family. During the course of the tour some joined us and some left, the number fluctuating from day to day from a high of 120 to a low of about 70. We were ravaged by illness, but pressed on. The Word of God was preached, the truth about abortion was proclaimed and showed, and many will never be the same. May God use our meager efforts for the building of His kingdom! Amen!

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