His Last Words!

Rev. Lowe Was a special kind of hero to me. As a teenager I loved listening to him speak. He was a retired professional wrestler and a redeemed alcoholic. One never knew what would come out of his mouth. He told some pretty amazing stories and usually had pictures to back them up. He taught me how to win at arm wrestling and many other skills useful to teenage boys. His funeral was on of the "best" i have ever been to. It was "rockin"! Thanks for remembering Rev Lowe, mom.


His Last Words!

“I’m going home to talk to the Lord about you!” were the last words of Rev. Lowe. He had just stepped out of the tavern and spoke these words as he grabbed the handlebars of his bicycle and began to throw his leg over the side. He stood balancing the bike with both feet on the ground and before he could pedal off, he dropped to the ground and indeed went home. As the medics struggled anxiously to revive his heart, Christ simply claimed the heart of his child for whom he died. Sunday afternoon on February 28, 1999, Reverend Willis Daniels Lowe was “Promoted To Glory!” What urgent message did he have for the Lord, which he would now share face to face?

It was not strange to see this 77 year old man ride a bike; it was his transportation. Nor was it strange to see it parked in front of the tavern. Years ago you would expect him to return to his bike in a condition, which hindered his riding. These days it was only the weather that held him back. However, he frequently left his bike in front of taverns. Rev. Lowe was a changed man and he was involved in intervention ministries.

Earlier that morning his bike was parked in front of The Salvation Army, while he attended church. For years he had done everything from professional wrestling to singing in the saloons. Now he used his booming voice and sang with gusto during the service. At twelve o’clock midnight on Christmas Eve 1998, you could have witnessed Rev. Lowe coming down the aisle dressed as a great high priest and singing, “Oh Holy Night!” He often carried spoons, shakers and other instruments to services. As he sang he would accompany himself. And never would he let an opportunity for sharing his witness, pass him by.

At the conclusion of this particular Sunday morning’s service he and another gentleman were at the altar praying for the release of their friend. The chains of alcohol just would not let their friend go. They prayed and concluded with the request: “God use us to help our friend.” Both knew from experience that the chains of addiction were released when the power of God was released. They meant business with God and they were ready for battle.

That afternoon they found their friend. He was not hard to find; in fact, they knew just where to look. He was in the tavern right down the street from the corps. Rev. Lowe left his bike outside and the two men entered the tavern. They headed right for their friend and were stopped by the bartender. However, Rev. Lowe confronted the bartender and it was more than a “flesh and blood battle.” It was the Lord’s own battle. The two of them walked their friend out and propped him against the building. Rev. Lowe felt his mission was almost completed. He would leave this needy friend in the arms of another. There was just one more thing. He turned and looked at his needy brother as he began to leave.

“I am going home to talk to the Lord about you,” and he did.

The memorial celebration for Rev. Lowe was thrilling, both in heaven and here at the Cambridge Corps.
Men, women, and children came from everywhere to say thank you and farewell. One after another told of how he had helped them, financially, physically, and spiritually.

At the service there was standing room only, and very little. His bicycle had a place of honor in the front of the chapel. Tambourines and drums were heard down the street, possibly as far as that famous tavern. Jesus Christ had changed his life. Family and friends who knew him in his younger years, saw him as a new man, the person he had become. Among those in the congregation sat the two men who had heard his last words. There was one who prayed with him that morning and the one who was the answer to his prayer. Neither man will ever be the same. They now attend the Sunday service and reach out to others. One is an adherent in The Salvation Army and the other a staff member. They too, have conversations with their Father.

We are thankful that God answered the request found in Rev. Lowe’s last words.