With us it all started after Irmgard had had her first operation for breast cancer. Then we had visited our children in Norway and enjoyed their new TV with lots of channels. On the way home we were talking.
- We must get some kind of a dish so we can get some interesting stations, said Irmgard.
- I understand there is a private SDA channel that is available on a dish.
When we got home I started by calling some SDA friends until I found some who had 3ABN. Checking it out on the net I discovered what kind of dish, and soon I found a local outfit which could supply the right dish. With instruction, also on the 3ABN website, I managed to set it up and tune in. . .
It was such a delightful inspiration that I took some pictures of the screen to accompany an article I wrote for our Union (Danish) paper. My co-workers read that article, and when one of them shortly after that met Owen Troy - a mutual friend - he told Owen that Johann was retired and therefore just the right man for 3ABN. I did not realize then what the Lord had in store for me.
Before long we had arranged rallies in Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and France. And I had invited church leaders to have special meetings with Danny Shelton. (Linda and Tommy were there too.)
Just the other day I had the first visit again after several years with one of those church leaders. Here are some of the points I recall from our conversation:
- I recall that meeting we had with Danny Shelton at that time, he told me. Somehow it failed to impress me. I know you were very enthusiastic and tried to get us interested. But the meeting with that man was a great disappointment. Self-exaltation and attempts to impress us with the accomplishments of this great founder - himself - is what we heard. Added to that were stories of his encounters with opposition from church leaders, and how he with his ingenuity and smartness managed to quench such opposition.
- You were all on fire, Johann, and I felt sorry for you. You had not noticed any of the danger signals at that time.
- I did later on.
- Yes I know you did, and perhaps the Lord had a purpose in letting you in to see the dangers from the inside?
- Yes, I believe He did.
I found many faithful dedicated people there at 3ABN. They think they are working for the Lord and not for man. . . That was the most positive I saw at 3ABN, and why I believed in the work. That all changed when Linda was so rudely chased away.
Johann