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A
Tribute to Bro. G.W. Bessette
My name is David Branham. I am the youngest
son of Bro. Billy Paul Branham and the grandson of Rev. William Marrion Branham.
I have worked in the book and tape ministry of my grandfather for 17 years,
after my graduation from high school. I first met Bro. Bessette as a young boy,
helping in the mailroom of Spoken Word Publications, during my summer vacation
from school. Bro.Bessette made quite an impression on me, even at a young age. I
would see him 2-3 times a year from that time of our first meeting and he would
always tell me that when I get older, he would take me into the prisons. At that
age, I thought he meant that he was going to leave me and I had better toe the
line! I did not realize until many years later, as we made our first joint visit
to La Grange Prison (Lagrange, Kentucky) what he meant. I started working for my father, at the
Branham Tabernacle in 1983 and then joined the team of The Voice of God
Recordings in January 1984. It didn’t take long for Bro. Gerry to visit and
get me involved in the prison ministry program. Our next trip was to the maximum-security
prison in Eddyville, Kentucky. My, what an experience that was! Over the next 10 years, I was blessed to
visit many prisons (North, South, East and West) with Bro. Gerry, and through
his guidance, on my own. I was even allowed to visit prisons in South Africa and
the Philippines after Bro. Gerry opened the door. It would always amaze me that I could get a
letter on Monday, from a brother (in the middle of nowhere), serving time and
wanting to be baptized. I would call Bro. Gerry and by the time I would come
back to work, the following Monday, Bro. Gerry would call and say that he went
and baptized the brother! This happened MANY TIMES. I believe the best tribute that I could give
to Brother Bessette is to share with you something that happened just today. As
I write this little article today, I heard on the radio that an inmate that we
testified to, many years ago, is to be executed on Tuesday (June 13, 2000) in
Eddyville, Kentucky. My mind went back to when we were able to
testify to him so many years ago. I really feel that he made things right and
has found peace with the Lord. It was through the efforts of our Brother
Bessette that this soul found Christ and as Tuesday approaches, it speaks
volumes about Bro. Bessette and the sacrifice that He made for this man and so
many other souls that are in prison. Brother Branham once said, “One soul is
worth 10,000 worlds!” The prison ministry here at The Voice Of God
Recordings has become very large (around 20% of the overall missionary program)
and we are currently sending books and tapes of Brother Branham to over 260
prisons in the U.S. and Canada and over 50 others around the world. Most of
these doors were opened personally by Bro. G.W. Bessette and there is a huge
void in the work since he has left the scene. It was a real joy, and a great learning
experience, to have worked side-by-side with Bro. Bessette for so many years He
was a true friend and a great Witness for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (received
via snail mail 6-16-00) M. David Branham
A Tribute to Reverend Gerry Bessette by Ron Harr Eccl 4:14 "For out of Prison He Cometh to Reign" Brother Gerry's life of crime actually began at five years old as he sat on a policeman's knee his dad having brought him there for stealing money from his mother! He ran away from home at 10! At the age of twelve he and a friend stole a March of Dime's can full of money. At 16 he began to drink heavily and with false ID'S went into the bars and clubs. In 1959 at the age of 16 is when he first had a real taste of jail living! In 1964 Gerry received a 1-5 year prison sentence for breaking and entering. Brother G.W. Bessette came to know Christ in prison. In the mental ward of a prison while trying to con the authorities he first came to feel the reality of Christ. His attitude began to change and his heart began to shed some of its bitterness! A short while later he gave his heart to Christ! He came to the Message of the Hour as a brother in Prison gave him a copy of William Branham's book "A Man Sent From God." (Brother Gerry wrote in his book "USA Chaplain") "it broke my heart. I knew it was God!" Gerry received the new birth and said "my life just changed. I was a new creature. The Bible became a new book...the booklets by Brother Branham made the Word alive. The bitter spirit left. Prayer became a real communion with God. I established a good prayer life. Two or 3 hours a day were spent in prayer." In 1974 Gerry was miraculously paroled. As he met the Parole board he was told out of a score of 100 that he only scored 21 and according to this he could not make it on the outside on parole! Gerry told the man "Now with the BE score it's impossible for me to make it outside, but since I've given my heart to God, all things are possible." The man only hesitated a second and said "Mr.Bessette you have given the right answer." The next day Gerry received his paper "PAROLE GRANTED" Soon afterward Brother Gerry began to come back to prisons to minister. Brother Gerry served 13 years in prison and by his own admission was considered a "four time loser" having been in and out of prison all of his life. He went on to a remarkable world wide ministry where to this day lives are still being touched even after his death even as Abel of old "being dead yet speaketh." God got a hold of this humble man cast down by the world and used him to go around the world to preach the unsearchable riches of Christ in the Message of this Hour! What a story for "out of prison he came to reign."
This is one of the most touching photos I have ever seen! The Pipers have devoted their life to serving inmates and this really touched me of them kneeling at the graveside of Brother Gerry Bessette! Some thoughts from people that knew Reverend Gerry Bessette: Brother Gerry was an encouragement to the Prison Ministry here in Nebraska. He won the hearts of many brothers because he genuinely cared about each one of them whether he knew them personally or not. Brother Gerry and his wife gave us the support to persevere through trials and tribulations with the Correctional System and they also visited us when we needed "God with flesh on!" -Sister Jennie Piper
I did know Gerry Bessette. He had come into the prison at Lincoln (Nebraska) a couple of times to preach. David and Jennie Piper had invited him to come preach. I enjoyed hearing about going to preach in Africa, Vietnam, and other places. It brought out the point that the poor in this world are rich in faith! Brother Tim Havercamp
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By M. David Branham 
