Jesus loves you. That’s gentle good news that cuts through the noise of life. My father, who wrote this article about Jack in 1990, loved to share that good news of Jesus and his love with everyone, no matter who they were or where they were. Now he and Jack are enjoying the glories of heaven together.

—Jeremiah Gumm

Two hospital roommates are reunited in heaven.

A few years ago, I spent four weeks in the hospital. My roommate was an elderly man who said he was Jack Wilson from Hurdsfield. I told him I was Pastor Alan Gumm from Hazelton.

He asked me if I was a religious fanatic. I assured him I wasn’t. He strongly requested that I never talk about religion to him. I assured him that I wouldn’t.

Although I did not talk to him about the Bible or religion, I continued to live my faith. I prayed before meals and with my family and encouraged them to continue to love and trust their Savior. I listened as fellow pastors shared God’s Word with me. I had a Bible next to my bed, and I read it. For three weeks I lived my faith in Christ, but I did not “talk religion” with Jack.

Three days before Jack went home, he asked me what I preached in church. I told him I preach what Scripture declares: that we are all sinful and deserve eternal death and that only through Christ we have life in heaven.

He didn’t say much for a long time. Then he asked, “Al, what must I do to get into heaven?” For the next three days, we talked about religion. I shared with Jack the wonderful news of salvation through Jesus Christ. In those three days I watched the Holy Spirit change an unbelieving old man into a believing child of God.

As Jack was leaving the hospital, I gave him my Bible and told him to try to read it every day.

Several months later he called and asked if he and his wife could visit. They spent several hours at my home. Jack’s face lit up when we talked about Jesus. Jack’s wife said that whenever Jack couldn’t sleep at night, he would get up and read the Bible.

Several months later Jack entered the hospital again, and I went to visit him. The Bible I had given him was next to his bed. It was worn. I asked Jack if he knew where he would be if he should die. He answered confidently, “I will be in heaven.” I asked him what he would say if God asked him, “Why should I let you into heaven?” Jack thought for a moment and said, “I would tell God that I don’t deserve to be in heaven, but because of Jesus, heaven is mine.” How the Holy Spirit works faith in sinful hearts!

Jack was released from the hospital and returned home. Several months later we heard from his wife that Jack was going to have surgery.

A few days later I called the hospital and asked for Jack. His doctor told me that Jack had died about an hour ago. I said that I had roomed with Jack in the hospital. He said, “I know. Jack showed me your picture. You are the one who led him to Jesus. Jack was holding your picture when he died.”

Whenever I remember Jack, I give thanks to God for giving me the opportunity to witness to Jack and for bringing him to faith in Christ. I also thank God for using our illnesses for our good. If we would not have been sick, Jack might not have heard about his Savior.

Jack is praising his Father in heaven. Someday, by the grace of God, Jack and I will be roommates again.

Author: Alan Gumm
Volume 112, Number 04
Issue: April 2025