It was late in the afternoon, Thursday October 2, 1997, when the bus left the church parking lot. Like most God things, I had ideas…but really, I had no idea what He was doing or would do. I was along for the ride.

During the forever bus trip I noticed more & more buses, cars, and bikes headed in the same direction as we were going. But on Saturday morning walking toward the Capitol, I realized I was experiencing something much bigger than I had ever experienced or could even describe. My buddy Charlie & I, along with other buddies, were fortunate to find a spot up close to the stage underneath the pine trees on the left side of the picture. As far as I could see there were men…all kinds of men. But this was quite different. There was a feeling of expectation in the air.

By mid-morning as far as I could see in any direction men sitting on the ground, standing, and talking to each other. But when the announcement came asking us to go to our knees in prayer…a moment that as I write the hair stands up on my neck… total silence swept over that area of Washington, D.C. There was not a siren, a man speaking, a dog barking, child crying or even a bird chirping…total silence and then I heard the wind through the pines. As the wind blew, I knew, and every man knew God’s Mighty Presence was among us.

That Saturday morning would be known as the Promise Keepers, Stand In The Gap, Million Man gathering. While I don’t remember much of what any of the speakers said, I will never forget the sound…the knowing of The Holy Spirit’s Presence. I now understand what He means when He says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10