MONROE – A year ago, Steve Freeman of Colonial Heights, Va., was scheduled to be the speaker at revival services at Calvary Baptist Church in Monroe.
However, on the day before he was to fly out, doctors informed him that the cancer he thought was gone had returned.
“When he went in for a routine catscan and blood work, we found out that he had a blood clot in his lung and the cancer had come back,” Lisa Freeman, his wife, wrote on the couples’ Caring Bridge page. “Now the course of action is blood thinner shots for the blood clot, and chemotherapy to treat the cancer. We are hoping to finish up the chemotherapy sometime in mid December.”
More than a year later, Freeman, who also has Cerebral Palsy, will finally be able to complete that trip to Monroe. On Oct. 17-20, Freeman and Worship Leader Dick Powell of Shreveport will be leading revival services at Calvary Baptist.
“I went to the doctor on Sept. 5 and the CT scans were clean,” Freeman wrote. “My oncologists also called with results of my blood work. He said my tumor markers were good and my numbers were stable, which is really good news.
“We are so grateful to God for the way He has protected, provided for, and brought healing to my body through all of this. This time last year we were certainly in a much different place, and there was no way for us to know then just how difficult the following year would be. Having said that, all we do know is that God has been with us and has been so good to us.”
Freeman’s story is one of inspiration and encouragement, and it is one he will share during revival services at Calvary Baptist.
“With trust in God as his primary tool, Steve has faced and overcome many obstacles and is in a unique position to minister to others,” Calvary Pastor David Willoughby said.
Freeman was born just 5 ½ months into his mother’s pregnancy and weighed only 2 pounds 4 ounces. His twin brother did not survive. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy as a child. Doctors said he would never walk, graduate from high school, or become a functional member of society.
However, Freeman, who has served as a full-time evangelist since 1993, overcame all these challenges and more. Not only does he walk, but he’s blessed with a beautiful singing voice, he writes and records music.
“Steve’s songs will encourage you, his humor will delight you, and his message will challenge you,” Willoughby said. “Please come and be refreshed and revived with us.”
Services will begin at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Sunday and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 17-20.
Calvary Baptist Church is located at 1155 Hwy 594 (off the Millhaven exit) in Monroe. For more information, visit www.Calvary-Monroe.org or call Pastor David Willoughby at 318.345.1220.