Jerry Falk was a fun loving young prankster when first invited to the services of the congregation in Piscataway, New Jersey by his equally mischievous friend, Glenn Warner. Glenn's mother was a Christian. Glenn and Jerry both took some interest in what was said at the services and yet continued on in their carefree lives as if nothing really mattered.
The more Jerry listened to the Bible teaching, however, the more he began to realize that his life was empty without Christ. One day he confronted Glenn, "Don't you think it's time we started getting serious about God?" Glenn agreed, and both were baptized into Christ.
Since that day Jerry has kept his sense of humor. He is especially adept at disguising his voice on the phone and sounding like an excited real estate agent, a staid banker or even an inquisitive Australian. His life, however, has been dedicated to the most serious of all goals, going to heaven!
Jerry and Glenn began studying the Bible seriously and even preaching on occasions. Jerry says that they were greatly encouraged in their first year as Christians by H.E. Phillips. In thinking of how he could serve the Lord, Jerry began to realize that the ability he had to mimic actors such as Jimmy Stewart and Carol Channing as well as stereotypical preachers had a much greater value than keeping his friends in stitches with laughter. It gave him an aptitude for learning foreign languages! He began to study Spanish and attend services with the Spanish speaking brethren that meet in Upper Manhattan in New York City. As his Spanish improved, he began to lead singing and prayers and eventually teach and preach in Upper Manhattan and in a small congregation in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Ron Roark encouraged Jerry to search for financial support so that he could dedicate all his time to using his talents in the Lord's service.
Jerry always wondered where he could be most useful in the kingdom. Though extremely useful in the New York City area, he decided he could best serve the Lord by going to Barcelona, Spain to help Gregg Perkins in a new work on the south side of that metropolitan area. Jerry spent three years there working with Gregg and occasionally with Greg Roark. His Spanish became so fluent that it became difficult to distinguish his speech from that of any Spaniard. He can mimic all their strange sounds and inflections and is probably better acquainted with their little idioms and proverbs that most who are native born.
After working in Barcelona, Jerry decided it was time to return to New Jersey to help in the work in the New York City metropolitan area. Before coming back, however, he decided to make a brief trip to visit with John Pate who was trying to start a work in Seville. That brief visit has turned into a seven year stay which is continuing.
The work in Seville has not been easy. European culture is skeptical and worldly, and it has taken constant effort on the part of Jerry and others involved in the work in Spain to harvest a small but steady number of good and honest hearts. One of the most dedicated new converts in Enrique Gallardo, an 64 year old man who has spent years in the "Jehovah's Witness" organization. Jerry and Enrique were brought together, the seed was planted and Enrique was baptized into Christ. He has become a pillar in the congregation in Seville.
Just as the congregation in Seville seemed to be growing steadily in number, several families have fallen away because a stand was taken that marriages formed by those with admittedly unscriptural divorces should not continue. Those who are left working for the Lord with Jerry, however, are the cream of the crop. They are a faithful remnant who "take the scriptures at face value." That is one of Jerry's favorite expressions.
Jerry has not only been able to help with the new congregation in Seville started by John Pate, but has also been asked to help teach in the more mature congregation in a nearby suburb called Dos Hermanas. The brethren in Dos Hermanas have greatly enriched Jerry's life.
Jerry's greatest help comes from his wife, Maria Elena, a Peruvian who he met in Seville. They now have two small children, Elisabeth and Jonathan. Maria Elena is a giving person with a meek and quiet spirit. She is as completely dedicated to the Lord as Jerry.
Jerry continues to stay in touch with his old friend, Glenn Warner, who is now living in Cork, Ireland with his Irish wife, Louise. They are key members in the small congregation in Cork.
Jerry wants to stay in Spain for the time being to help the church in Seville solidify and mature. Though he has recently lost a large portion of his support, he will make every effort to persevere. His decision to "get serious about God" was not made lightly!
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