God’s Grace in the Face of Human Tragedy
Sept. 17, 2024
Host: Dr. Gary Dull
Guest(s): Dave Kistler
Note: This transcript is taken from a Stand in the Gap Today program aired on 9/17/24. To listen to the podcast, click HERE.
Disclaimer: While reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate transcription, the following is a representation of a mechanical transcription and as such, may not be a word for word transcript. Please listen to the audio version for any questions concerning the following dialogue.
Gary Dull: Well, hello everyone and welcome to another edition of Stand In the Gap Today on this fine Tuesday that the Lord has given to us, this truly is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it. I’m Gary Dull, and along with me is Evangelist Dave Kistler. And if you are a regular listener to this program, you will know that Dave is not only a co-host of this program from time to time, but is also a man who God has been using down through the years in many ways and in many places to get out to gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. And as a matter of fact, it’s been my honor to know Brother Dave for at least 30 years and to watch his ministry grow under the direction and the blessing of the Lord. So today I’m going to interview Brother Dave.
Gary Dull: He’s not only just the host or the co-host, but he’s the guest today and the co-host. And if I decide to walk out, he’ll be the host. Dave, you’re in a pretty precarious position here today, but it’s a delight to have you on board with me today. As I was just thinking over the last 30 some years of knowing you and seeing how God has developed and has grown your ministry down through these 30 years. I can remember years ago down in Florida discussing some of the vision that you had for ministry as it related to tent ministries in cities and ministry in Washington DC and it’s tremendous to see how that has all come into fruition down through the years and what a blessing to see what God’s doing in your ministry. And certainly it’s a delight to have the opportunity to chat with you on the program today.
Gary Dull: And later on I want to discuss with you about what has taken place in your life recently in the plane crash that took your son, Nate and wife Amber home to be with the Lord. But before we get to that, I know you’re very well acquainted with all things Washington DC and with your ministry there through hope to the Hill. So at the top of the program today, let’s talk about what took place Sunday afternoon with another alleged attempt and thwarted attempt on Donald Trump’s life. It’s just been a little over two months since an assassination attempt was taken against former President Donald Trump there in Butler, Pennsylvania. I believe it was on July the 13th. And I personally believe that he was miraculously spared in that day as he just turned his head a little bit. The bullet that was meant for him miraculously missed his head by just a few short inches and hit his ear.
Gary Dull: And I think that that was all under the direction and the provision of God. But once again, on Sunday afternoon, another planned attempt on Mr. Trump’s life was taken as he was golfing at his own golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Today, we thank the Lord that Mr. Trump was not hit or injured. There was not even a shot fired because of the fact that one of the Secret Service agents was able to see the nozzle of the gun, which was the AK 47 through a hedge. To me Brother Dave, that is absolutely miraculous, but once again, Donald Trump continues to survive. And a couple of questions here, brother Dave, I want to bring to you, it appears that so many people have a real hatred for Donald Trump. I’ve been told that while he was the sitting president of the United States that there were numerous threats, assassination attempts, but of course none of them came into fruition. But now within two months as he’s been running for the presidency once again, there have been two attempts to take his life. In your opinion, why is it that so many people seem to hate Donald Trump so much these days? What in the world is the cause of that according to your thinking anyway?
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, let me say it’s an honor and delight to be on the program today. And I think Gary, bottom line is this, people hate him because of the policy positions that he holds. Obviously Donald Trump before he decided to run for president was friends with many of the people that are now according to them, his avowed enemies. And the only thing that you can look to explain that is the policy positions that he’s adopted. To be quite candid, some of those positions have changed. In other words, down through the years, Trump was probably not a very pro-life individual. He became much more pro-life as he began to understand some things. There’s some information I guess that I could share that I won’t take the time to share, but I believe it was genuine, a genuine heart change on his part. Obviously he is a financial genius, I believe so he understands economic things, but there’s a lot of other things with which he’s become well acquainted during his run for president in 2016 that caused him to adjust some of his positions. And because of those policies that are very much in line with I believe the founding of the country in many cases and many of the policies, Gary, very much in line with what God’s word has to say, in many cases, those have made him the particular target of people that just despise him.
Gary Dull: Well, that’s what I believe, and I go back to that and I know that sometimes he speaks in a way that most of us really would rather he wouldn’t speak, but nevertheless, I do believe it’s the policies that he maintains that is bringing this hatred. And I think that probably there’s a greater hatred for him than what we can even imagine. And in these last two months, we’ve seen that there have been these attempts and thwarted attempts upon his life, which I think shows us that God is miraculously taking care of him. But there’s been question as to whether or not the members of the Secret Service have been doing their job. Now, thank the Lord for the secret service agent that saw that gun through that hedge bro the other day. That to me is absolutely miraculous and I thank the Lord for that particular agent. But I do know that because of your connection in Washington DC that you know several of the secret service. And so in talking with them or even in your observations, do you believe that the Secret Service has been as efficient as they should be these days in taking care of Donald Trump?
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, I want to be guarded in the way I answered that because I do have some friends that work with the Secret Service and some that have been part of what’s called the PPD, the personal protective detail for President Trump when he was president. And they’re the best of the best. I’m just telling you they are. I love these guys. And however, having said that, something just doesn’t seem right about the Butler Pennsylvania incident on July 13, how they would allow a man to get up on that building, which obviously was in plain sight, a potential raised place that could give anybody that had in mind very nefarious intent. It would give them a vantage point from which they could easily take a very successful shot at the president of the United States. And so there’s a lot of things that I don’t understand as far as how that was done.
Dave Kistler: This most recent incident, the same thing, Gary, evidently this gentleman was there in those trees for about 12 hours. Well, how did he get there? How did they not see him prior? Obviously there appear to be, and I’m going to use the words appear to be there, appear to be failures on the part of the Secret Service. Is it because there’s not enough secret service? They are understaffed and that is a problem that’s possible. Is it other things that could be more sinister? Again, I don’t want to say that definitively because I obviously don’t know that, but there’s obviously reasons for concern when within two months you’ve had a shot taken and had Trump not turned his head at the instant he did, he would not be here when those things happen. Gary, obviously it’s cause for great concern.
Gary Dull: It absolutely is. And yet I believe that both of those incidences indicate to us that God was protecting Donald Trump for which we can rejoice. Let’s continue to pray for our president, those who are running for the presidency and for what’s going on in Washington dc. Well folks, when we return after this break, brother Dave and I are going to be chatting about the home, going to heaven of his son, Nate and daughter-in-Law, Amber, back on July 26th and what has transpired since then. So please don’t go away. Well, welcome back ladies and gentlemen. I’m Gary Dahl and along with me is Dave Kissler. And what we are going to be talking about throughout the rest of the program I think will be a blessing and an encouragement to you. In fact, I would encourage you to call somebody else and let them know that we are on the air right now, particularly those who maybe do not know the Lord or who are struggling with their relationship with the Lord.
Gary Dull: I think that what you’re going to hear in these next 40 minutes or so will be a blessing to you and to them. And so just give them a call, give others a call, let them know that we’re on and that you think that they’ll be listening to a program that will be encouraging to them. Dave, it was about eight minutes past the hour of 10 in the evening on July the 26th that you called me and told me that the plane in which your son Nate and his wife Amber were on, went down somewhere in northern Wyoming in route to participate with the Gaither family cruise in Alaska and that the officials were still looking for the crash site brother. I could hardly believe what I was hearing and I will never forget that call for as long as I live. As a matter of fact, it affected me like no other call I’ve ever received and the sense that I had when you called me that evening is still heavy on my heart.
Gary Dull: It really is. It’s affected me in so many ways since then. Well, that evening we prayed together and within a few hours we all found out that due to the crash, no one survived. Humanly speaking. In my mind that was a tragedy beyond imagination. As a matter of fact, I can’t even begin to understand how you and your wife, Betsy and the rest of the family there felt and still feel in light of such an event. And yet as we study the scripture, we understand that our sovereign God either causes or allows, but always directs everything that takes place in our lives. Romans eight in verse 28 clearly tells us that all things work together for good to those that love God to them who are the call according to his purpose. It’s amazing, Dave, how often we quote that verse in matters with much less of an impact than what you’ve experienced since July the 26th.
Gary Dull: I’m sure that without a doubt that many people across America and around the world have been praying for you and your family over the past several weeks. And I’m certain that God has and will continue to work through this human tragedy to bring honor and glory to his name. Folks, you may not know this. I know Dave, you know it, but Nate was a young man who had the touch of God upon his life in such a unique way. He was everybody’s friend and they, because I’ve known you and your family for so many years, I’ve been able to watch Nate grow up. There’s no doubt that you and Betsy trained him very effectively in the ways of the Lord as you did your two daughters, Rachel and Hannah. Nate was blessed musically and that he could sing, he could play instruments. He understood electronics beyond the measure.
Gary Dull: I remember different times you were having trouble with your electronics and you would get on the phone and say, Nate help. And he was there to help. Nate could give a sermon or a testimony when he needed that was blessed of God. He could communicate well with people of every age bracket. I was amazed that the best man in his wedding, George Roller was over 70 years of age, which to me is a testimony of how Nate was able to bridge the age barrier in all of his relationships. After the Lord led you Brother Dave to form the Hope to the Hill Ministries, Nate got involved and began to advance greatly in his people and ministry skills in such a way that he was able to communicate with people on both sides of the political aisle in Washington with great respect like no one else I’ve ever known unless of course it’s you, because God’s given you that skill as well that shows us that Nate followed in your footsteps.
Gary Dull: And there’s no doubt that God had his hand upon Nate from his birth and used him in the brief 33 years or so that he was alive on earth to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ and to advance the gospel in so many, many ways and in so many venues. As a matter of fact, I believe that God used Nate more in his short life on Earth than many folks who lived to be twice his age. That’s just a personal testimony and observation that I make concerning your dear son Nate Kissler. And Dave, I know that this is very hard for you and Betsy and the rest of your family, but we have people, many people who are listening to us today who are no doubt asking how your family has been able to go through such a tragedy like this. So my question is how can you answer that question? I think the worst thing any parent could hear is that their son or their daughter has died. I can’t even imagine that. And this was such a tragedy humanly speaking. And so again, the question, how have you and Betsy and the family been able to go through this and what have you learned about the provision of God in such a time as this?
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, I’ll say this, the apostle Paul said, my grace talking about God’s grace is sufficient for thee. And I want to word it this way. God’s grace is not just sufficient. God’s grace is abundant. And we have walked in that grace every moment really since July 26th when we got the first call about the plane going down.
Dave Kistler: What helps tremendously, brother Gary is knowing two things where Nathan and Amber are, and number two, with whom they are, they’re in heaven and they are with the Savior that they loved so well and served so effectively. And that changes the dynamic on everything. But also what’s enabled us to get through this is the myriad. And I mean it’s tens of thousands of calls and texts and emails and Facebook messages and just on and on and on, many of them containing a story or a video that maybe someone took of Nathan singing or of Nathan commenting or speaking or something that Nathan did to minister to them. It’s just been pure gold in most of these messages that we’ve received. And so the breadth of impact of he and Amber’s life is a tremendous encouragement. And Gary, I want to read just one of them.
Dave Kistler: This one just came in on Sunday. It’s from a lady in Alabama, and I’m not going to use the name, but she wrote me on an email. She said, hello, my name is, and she gave the name and she said, I wanted, before I say anything to extend my sincere condolences for the loss of Nathan and Amber to you and your wonderful family. I’m praying for you daily. She said, I watched the celebration of life, and there’s been three of them. There was one in Georgia on August 6th, one in North Carolina on August 10, and then of course the one in DC just this past Wednesday, September 11. And she was saying, I watched the Memorial services. And she said, I didn’t know anything about who the NES were, who Amber was, who your son Nathan was. But she said, I heard you tell the story about Jim Elliot and those missionaries that died in Ecuador in 1956.
Dave Kistler: She said, that part of your eulogy touched me greatly. And she said, I’ve always considered myself a Christian, but I didn’t even know who any of these people were. But she said, I was prompted to start listening to Nathan’s music and to Amber’s music and her family’s music. And she said, I was doing that while I was in the hospital on the 26th of July following surgery for a broken ankle. And she said, I saw the news about the crash. Begin watching and listening to some of the music. She said, I learned what wonderful godly people, they all were the magnitude of the loss, which was tremendous. And she said, I heard your eulogy and your call for revival. And she said, not only will Nathan and Amber’s story be a part of my life forever, but she said, I’m part of the revival for which you’re praying. And she said, I’m now praying for that as well. And I just wanted you to know that Gary messages like that, messages of people that have come to know Christ as Savior, all of that is a tremendous help to understand that through all this hurt and pain, God has a purpose and we can Gary trust him. And that’s exactly what we’re doing
Gary Dull: And that’s being able to be seen in your life since July the 26th and how God has been using you. It’s interesting, we use that phrase, human tragedy. I’ve used it already in the program here, but even earlier on after we heard about the situation, it’s almost as though the Lord has been convicting me about using that phrase, human tragedy. It is a human tragedy to take into consideration that a plane went down and what there were seven people on that plane, I believe, who lost their lives humanly speaking, but they’re more alive now, brother Dave, in the presence of the Lord. You know that they’re all living and basking upon the sunlight of God’s glory in heaven. And I know that Nate and Amber were not able to have children, and Amber was pregnant three times, but unable to deliver. And at one point, is it not true that Nate wrote a text to a fellow and said that he was looking forward to going to heaven, to seize children, they’re all now united in heaven. Isn’t that a tremendous thing to take into consideration? So we call this a human tragedy, but it’s all part of God’s plan to bring honor and glory to his name. Can you address that for a moment or two?
Dave Kistler: Yeah, Gary, I can. In fact, the young men to which you’re referring, I didn’t know him, but he was conversing with Nathan about their infertility. Like Nathan and Amber were unable to actually have children. And he sent me actually a screenshot of the text correspondence and he said, Nathan said one of the last things he said to this gentleman, in fact, it was the last thing he said to this particular person in text. He said, more than anything, I want to go to heaven to see my three babies. And then this man commented and said, Dave, maybe that’s exactly what God allowed. Well, it is what God allowed. And that was a portion, just one small portion of this entire mosaic that God is designing and the impact and the testimony of Nate’s life, Amber’s life, Gary. It’s just been worldwide. And here we are just on the front end of it. I’ve got some things I’ll share a little later in the program that God is doing. But all of these things, all of these things are just means by which we are praying and trusting God, not only to advance the gospel, but bring great glory to himself
Gary Dull: And he will. He does all things for his honor and glory. He either causes or allows, but directs everything that takes place in our life. That’s what Romans chapter eight and verse 28 is all about. Well, folks, I would encourage it not to go away because as we continue to talk with Brother Dave, we’re going to talk about how God brings fruit for his glory in circumstances like what we’re talking about today. So again, stay tuned. Call somebody else, let them know the program’s on the air, and we will be back right after these messages and continue to talk with Dave Kissler. God bless you as you listen. Well, welcome back, ladies and gentlemen to stand in the gap today. We certainly do appreciate the pleasure of your company every day that this program is on the air. I’m Gary Dahl, and along with me today is Dave Kissler.
Gary Dull: And you could say that we are hosts and co-hosts of this program, but we’ve been great friends for over 30 years and I’ve come to love and appreciate Dave Kissler and his ministry. The way God’s using him is beyond imagination, and we give God the praise and the glory for it. But on the program today, we’re currently discussing the life of his son, Nathan, who God took home to heaven on July 26th, just less than two months ago in an airplane crash. And many times we call those things accidents and tragedies, but it’s all part of God’s plan. And I’m thankful for the fact that as Christians, we have hope in death. Philippians 1 21 tells us that we are absent from the body and present with the Lord. At two Corinthians five, eight, excuse me, Philippians 1 21 tells us that for me to live as Christ and to die as gain.
Gary Dull: And so as Christians, we know that death is not the end, but it’s the very beginning of life in the presence of the Lord. And so Nate and Amber and the rest who were on that airplane that went down around two months ago are more alive than ever before in God’s presence. And so today we’re talking to Dave Kissler about that. And Dave, I want to thank you for being willing to speak out about Nate on the program today. I’m certain that this is not an easy discussion for you to conduct. It’s not an easy discussion for me to lead. And yet through your willingness to speak about this event, I’m certain that God is and will continue to use this program today in the lives of many people who are listening as well as continue to use what took place on July the 26th for his glory.
Gary Dull: And Dave, over the past six or seven weeks since the plane went down in Wyoming, God has been at work turning what we would see as a human tragedy into fruit for his glory. And I’m wondering if you can share with our audience some of the things that you’ve been able to see the Lord do as the result of this. So-called human tragedy that is bringing triumph to the glory of God. Many things have taken place. I know you’ve shared some of them with me personally, but I’m certain that you’ll not know all of them until you get to heaven yourself. But share a little bit as to what God has been doing as the result of this plane crash on July the 26th.
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, I’m delighted to, obviously there’s been three Memorial services conducted, one in Georgia on the 6th of August, and then one in North Carolina here on the 10th of August, and then one in DC as alluded to earlier on September 11, which was last Wednesday as a result of just those services. Gary, I don’t know all the numbers about the Georgia Memorial, but I do know the North Carolina memorial has been viewed over 300,000 times. There have been thousands upon thousands of comments. The memorial service in DC was approaching, I think 40,000 people had watched it as of just a couple of days ago or a day or two ago. Anyway, all of that to say this, there’s been comments that have come in from those that have watched from people that knew nothing about the people on the plane, the seven that were on the plane that day, July 26th.
Dave Kistler: But God has touched their heart. Many have come to know Christ as Savior at the memorial service in Washington DC on Wednesday evening this past Wednesday evening, nine people that we know of trusted Christ as Savior, that is a little bit of a different group of people that attended that service. There were people there from around the country, but there were members of Congress and staffers and people from the DC area, and we know of at least nine as a result of that service, trusted Christ to Savior, not even accounting for those that watched online or that will continue to watch online and trust Christ to Savior as well. So there’s been that there’s been people that have been away from the Lord and brought back. It’s very difficult, Gary, right now for my wife and I to go anywhere without being recognized and people coming up and talking to you.
Dave Kistler: We were at a Chick-fil-A just about two and a half weeks ago. Four people came up to us that we didn’t know and just spoke graciously and kindly to us. One of them was a lady, again, never met her in all my life, but she told her story and how watching the memorial service in Morganton, North Carolina for Nathan and Amber just revolutionized her life. She also, Gary reached out to me and said, I am part of the Republican party in this immediate area. And she said, are you available on, and she gave me the night and ironically am available, and so is Betsy, and she said, I’d like for you both to come. We’re going to present what’s called our legacy award to you and your wife in honor of your son, Nathan. And so you’ve got those kinds of things happening. There’s discussions, Gary, and I’ll be a little guarded in what I say here, but there’s discussions of a book, of a movie of a monument out in Wyoming where the crash site was, and some of that is being driven and motivated by members of Congress.
Dave Kistler: And so all of this, Gary is just the front end of what we believe is going to be a tremendous, tremendous story that God is weaving through what the world calls a tragedy. But Gary, though, we miss them. They’re in heaven. They’re with the Lord that they loved so much and served so well. So when we tear up, it’s tears for us, not for them. They would not come back even if they had the choice, but God is working in a powerful way. And so we’re just trying to stay out of his way, honor him, glorify him through it all and let him accomplish a wonderful thing.
Gary Dull: Yeah, when they got on that airplane to go to be a part of that cruise with the Gaithers, they had no idea what was taking place or what was going to take place. Do you have any idea, brother Dave, at this particular point, what really caused that plane to come down? I mean, the pilot was an experienced pilot. He was not a novice from what I understand. And again, we look at these things all from the human perspective and knowing yet that God’s in control, but do you have any idea as to what happened to that plane that brought it down?
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, I will say this and I want to give a shout out to a couple of people if I could. One of them is the coroner in Gillette, Wyoming. First name is Paul. Wonderful gentleman, phenomenal gentlemen. Lots of conversations we’ve had with him. The other gentleman is a man named Derek who works with NTSB, national Transportation Safety Board. By the way, Gary, I was able to go over to NTSB Wednesday morning before the memorial for Nathan and Amber. The members of Congress wanted us to have their NDCI was able to go and spend about an hour and a half or so with Derek there at NTSV headquarters. Wonderful gentlemen. But anyway, I think I’m so thankful for them and what they’ve meant to our family. Anyway, to answer your question, Gary, no, we don’t really know yet and may not know for some time what the exact cause was.
Dave Kistler: What we do know, and this has been reported, it’s been out there, if anyone wanted to go and look at it, they could, but there’s a 30 day report that the National Transportation Safety Board issues, it’s required by law. And at the 30 day point, they issued what they knew. A lot of that was not new to me at all. It was things that I’d been told by Derek in conversations on the phone. But we do know that the pilot, Larry Haney did issue a distress call. He actually had communication with the flight tower in Salt Lake City, Utah that he was experiencing trouble with the autopilot system. Now what does that mean? Does it mean it knocked off? Does it mean it wouldn’t go off? I mean, we don’t know. We just don’t know that he was not that specific. There was communication back from the tower there to Mr. Haney, the pilot, and to that communication back. Mr. Haney said, well, I’m trying to regain control of the aircraft. So again, something happened. We don’t know exactly what it was other than what he said to them he was experiencing, which was an autopilot issue.
Gary Dull: And obviously during that period of time, Nate and Amber and the rest of them probably realized that the plane was in some sort of distress. I mean, I can imagine that, correct.
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, that’s what we would assume that they obviously for at least a little while, understood there was some problem. Yes.
Gary Dull: So I’m sure that God’s grace was sufficient in their lives as well. Thank the Lord for God’s grace. His grace is efficient, which means it’s just enough. In fact, it’s more than enough of what we need when we go through the difficulties of life. What do you say to somebody right now, brother Dave, who may be going through a very similar tragedy that you and Betsy have gone through? They’re wondering where to turn. They’re wondering what to do. What is your admonition to them on this day as they’re listening to the program right now?
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, I’m going to tell a little story to answer that question. I don’t remember what day after the accident was maybe the fourth or fifth day when Paul and Derek were on the phone together. They said, we need to talk about personal effects. And they began to tell me that the plane actually where it crashed, the debris field was not large, but they had recovered some personal effects and a lot of them were damaged beyond use or beyond recognition. There was some coinage, and when I say coinage, I mean currency coinage that had been
Gary Dull: Just
Dave Kistler: Totally bent and distorted. But they said, we found two at that point. The next day they told me they’d found two more, so they found a total of four. They said, we found these challenge coins, and it was Derek that was telling me that challenge coins or those in the military understand them, but they’re coins that an officer can have made and present to people that impacts his life. And we had hoped to the Hill Challenge coins, and they said, we found two of them and ultimately four of them, and Gary, every one of them were totally undamaged, not a bit of damage to any of them. And Nathan always carried two of those in his pocket. He carried others in his luggage. So four of those were recovered. And what they told me is we found these coins that have the word hope to the hill on them. And I said, well, those are our sons. And Gary to me and to them, they can’t explain why those survived, but I’ll tell you why they survived because he had the word hope. Amen. And the only hope that’s available is in Jesus Christ. And Gary, he has carried us through all of this. And for anyone that doesn’t know him as Savior, he can be your hope as well.
Gary Dull: Hope doesn’t just mean I hope something good’s going to happen. It’s the calm assurance of knowing that God is at work in our lives for his honor and glory. You don’t know Christ’s savior folks. You need to come to know him as your savior today and find the hope that he gives even in the time of tragedy. We’re going to take a break, but then we will return and talk about where do we go from here? Well, welcome back ladies and gentlemen. I’ve got to tell you that I’ve been involved with radio and Daily Radio since about 1976, produced many programs personally as well as other involved with other ministries and both on secular and Christian radio. But this has probably been, from my perspective, the most difficult program that I’ve ever produced. As a matter of fact, when I knew that I was scheduled to lead stand in the gap today and the thought of interviewing Brother Dave came to my mind, I put it off.
Gary Dull: I really didn’t want to do it for Dave’s sake because I know it must be difficult going through something like this and sharing it with people, but I just in many ways here today have been sort of lost with words and thoughts. Dave, it’s been a blessing to know you and your family down through the years and to see how God brought Nate along and from when there’s very little singing and playing that violin to the way God has been using him and will continue to use testimony as it goes forward. And so I want to thank you very, very much for being willing to share today. And I hope I’m not messing you up anyway and even the way that I’m talking with you here today. But God is good all of the time. God is good and God does cause or allow or cause or direct everything to take place in our life. And I appreciate you taking the time to speak concerning these issues today, folks, I just want you to know that what we’re doing today is not at all academic. It’s very heartfelt.
Gary Dull: And Dave, I’m sure that you and Betsy and all of your family can say that in these past two months or nearly two months, you’ve been able to see God work in many, many ways. And you’ve shared with some of those things on the programs so far, what you’ve gone through I believe is the highest human tragedy. Human tragedy, the greatest degree than anybody can face. And yet, as I said in one of the previous segments, I almost hesitate to call it a tragedy because God has a plan and God has a purpose that God will fulfill. And you’ve experienced some of those things. I’m certain up to this point, God has been faithful to you in so many ways over these past six or seven weeks, and I’m wondering if you would mind sharing with our audience what God has taught you through this time and what you’ve been able to see God do more specifically than what we’ve even talked about up to this point personally and what you anticipate God may do as a result of this situation that took place on July the 26th when that airplane went down, God knew all about it.
Gary Dull: God had it planned. How can you testify concerning what God has done is doing and will do as you can imagine at this point?
Dave Kistler: Well, Gary, the Lord has taught us a lot. And one of the things he’s taught us, I mean we’ve known this, but some lessons you don’t learn until you go through a trial or a difficulty that really helps you understand it very practically. And that is this Psalm 46, 1 says, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble. And the word, they’re very present. It means ever present. In other words, he’s always there for those. He embraces believe in him and trust in him, but he’s readily present. In other words, he’s not always there, but he’s readily quickly, quickly present to help us in these times of difficulty. And so we’ve obviously learned that. And then something that was shared at the memorial service this past Wednesday in DC by Congressman Greg St. Stuby from Florida, a dear friend of Nathan’s, and I’d never seen him weep before, but he cried that night and because of his friendship with Nathan and how much he misses him, but he said Psalm 57, 1, he talked about as he read that verse about how God literally delivers those that believe in him from evil to come.
Dave Kistler: And so what we’ve tried to do is look at it from this perspective, Lord, not only are you building a beautiful mosaic from the lives of Nathan and Amber and accomplishing things in their homegoing that you didn’t even accomplish, though what God did accomplish through their lives was significant, but more perhaps is going to be accomplished in their homegoing than even in their already significantly lived lives.
Dave Kistler: But beyond that, Gary, maybe there was something God was sparing them from that we don’t yet know about. That’s true. Again, so all of these things factor in, and the bottom line is this, God does all things well. And it was said of one of the judges, the judge by the name of S Samson, that in his death he accomplished more than in all that he did in his life. And I’m firmly convinced Gary, based on just what we’ve seen to this point. And again, we’re just on the front end of it. I’m convinced that that is definitely going to be the case with the impact and the legacy of Nathan and Amber. Their labor here on Earth has ended, but their legacy has not. In fact, their legacy will continue until Jesus comes back to take us all home to be with him.
Gary Dull: And I’ve been thinking of those same words relative to Samson that you just brought up there as it relates to Nathan and Amber. And so that leads me to talking about hope to the Hill. Nate was very much involved with that over these last years. Where do you see that going? I mean, that ministry is flourishing, it’s not going to end, it’s going to continue. Where do you see that going in the future right now that your key man is no longer there in the hill as he’s been over these past couple of years? What do you anticipate there as it relates to that ministry goes forward? Brother Dave, I know that you can’t write the whole book before it happens, but in your own,
Dave Kistler: Well, Nathan was one of actually three full-time staff members. If you don’t count me, I’m not always up there because I’m a full-time evangelist. But I did start the ministry years ago, and about nine years ago, approaching 10 years ago, Nathan became our executive director. And under his leadership and vision, it just flourished in ways that it had never done before and he was going to be the future. But we also have Dr. George Roller, we have two other staff members there as well. So the ministry is going to continue. And because of Nathan’s skillset, for a lack of better way to describe it, relationships have been forged, relationships have been built, and everybody, everybody including our ministry team, members of Congress, nobody will let the ministry end. That’s the way I’m going to say it, and God himself. So right now there’s more open doors than we’ve ever had, and the ministry is going to continue. We are praying and seeking God’s wisdom about who the next full-time executive director will be. Currently, our interim director is Dr. Roller, who is a man of immense experience, but he’s an older gentleman like I am, and young faces and young people are key on Capitol Hill. So we’re looking for that next director. And God will absolutely unquestionably without doubt direct us to that person in his time. But until then, the ministry is going to run wide
Gary Dull: Open. And folks, I would encourage you to continue to pray for Brother Dave and hope to the Hill Ministries as they continue in that very, very valid ministry that God has placed upon their heart in Capitol Hill. There needs to be a real witness and testimony for God in Washington DC and hope to The Hill Ministries is, in my opinion, the premier testimony for the Lord there. So continue to pray for it. Dave, I want to say thank you very, very much for sharing today. Like I said, it has been somewhat difficult for me, but you’ve excelled again as you always do, and I thank you for that In these final moments, some closing thoughts that you have to share with our audience today as some of them may be going through difficulties like you and Betsy are, or they may in the future. What are your final words to them?
Dave Kistler: Two things, Gary. God is absolutely amazing and the family of God, the people of God are as well. If you don’t know Christ a savior and you’re not part of God’s family, boy make that decision today. It’ll be the best one you ever
Gary Dull: Make. Amen. And I would agree with that 100%. Well folks, thank you so very much for joining us today and on behalf of the entire stand in the Gap today, staff, I’m Gary Dolls saying, God bless you. Keep looking up. Stand in the gap for truth and watch God work. Because remember, the best is yet to come. And please pray for the Kissler family.
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