2024 Summer Issue 1 Vol. 33

It has been a while since we published an issue of The Communicator. As many of you know, my dad, Freddie Coile was diagnosed with glioblastoma (brain cancer) more than a year ago following a sudden medical episode. It was a weighty revelation, as this form of brain cancer is both aggressive and deadly. In the past year, Dad has had two brain surgeries, several cycles of chemotherapy, and radiation treatment in addition to diet changes and a slew of integrative remedies. Nevertheless his cancer continues to elude us.

Why this? Why us? These are questions that I’ve asked myself and God in the past 15 months. But God didn’t call me to contemplate; He called me to trust Him and do His will.

Dad, being of a similar mind, has continued to preach and teach. He tells me every day that he is still here, so God must still be using him. And He is.

We had more campers at Camp Grace this summer than we’ve ever had. Even with the Lodge at full capacity we were bursting at the seams! We watched in participation with the Holy Spirit as campers trusted Christ, memorized Bible verses, and dedicated their lives to His service. We have been allowed by God to be put in trust with His gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:4), and there is no higher calling than to deliver it.

That realization hit me harder than ever about a year ago while I was on the road working for my corporate job. I burst into tears (not advisable while driving at night) and immediately began praying (always advisable).

I talked to Dad about my feeling of dissatisfaction with my station in life, and he dropped one of the coolest movie quotes ever on me from a baseball film called The Rookie:

“Son, it’s ok to do what you want to do, until it’s time to do what you were made to do.”

So I told God that I would put my big boy pants on and do what I was made to do. All I asked was that he show me the way one step at a time. Six months later, Dad asked me to be the camp director of Grace Farm. I accepted on the spot. Then, through happy tears of anticipation, he asked me if I would succeed him as the president of Focus Evangelistic Ministries Inc. I immediately deferred to answer. (I had asked God to lead me one step at a time, not two!)

But I prayed, and Dad prayed, and I again felt the tug on my soul that said to trust God. So I accepted Dad’s second offer. His appointment was official enough, but I requested that the board of Focus Ministries vote to affirm it. If this was God’s will, more wise counselors would agree with the decision. They did.

Dad continues to advise me as we work together sharing God’s word through Grace Farm events, speaking engagements, and our radio show and podcast, Focus on the Bible. I’ve watched Dad invest himself in this ministry my entire life, and I’m prepared to steward the ministry that he has pioneered. In the ways that I’m not ready, I trust that God will continue to prepare (see 1 Corinthians 1:26-27).

We continue to pray for healing for Dad, knowing that God will be glorified in His recovery or departure as Paul describes in Philippians 1:21 (“…to live is Christ, and to die is gain”).

If you believe in what God is doing through our ministry, I’ve got news for you: we can’t do it alone! We need financial support and prayer. Dad’s medical expenses have mounted, so any support in that area will be gratefully received and deeply appreciated. We also need people to share both our needs and resources with others who care. If that sounds like you, please have a look at the links below for something that uniquely relates to you or someone you know. We can’t wait to partner with you!

Because of Grace,