Enemies into Brothers – The Gospel’s Final Victory (part 3 of 3)
November 28, 2025
Dear Friend,
“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:32 (NKJV)
As the last embers of World War II faded, the light of divine miracles began to
shine in 1950. Mitsuo Fuchida—the naval commander who had awakened America
at Pearl Harbor—stood at a crossroads. Peggy Covell’s radical mercy had shaken
him; Jacob DeShazer’s tract had toppled him. Nights blurred into feverish study of
Scripture, the Bushido warrior wrestling with words like, “Vengeance is Mine… I
will repay.” (Romans 12:19) But grace prevailed. On a Tokyo street, amid the
rubble of defeat, Fuchida knelt: “I now accept Jesus as my Savior.” The architect
of Pearl Harbor, survivor of Hiroshima’s shadow, became a herald of the cross.
Hungering for the source, Fuchida crossed oceans to America, knocking
unannounced at DeShazer’s door in Oregon. “Sir, I’ve been wanting to meet you,”
he said, eyes brimming with the weight of shared redemption. No swords drawn,
no accusations hurled—only embrace. The bomber of Nagoya and the raider of
Pearl Harbor clasped hands, brothers in Christ. Theirs was no fragile truce; it was
resurrection.
Together, Fuchida and DeShazer traveled across the United States and Japan,
sharing testimonies that became inseparably linked. Fuchida devoted his life to
ministry, preaching forgiveness throughout Asia and beyond—his writings serving
as a bridge from former enmity to eternal hope. DeShazer settled in Nagoya, where
for three decades he faithfully bore witness to his faith. In 2008, at the age of 95,
he passed peacefully to his rest. After his death, he was nominated for the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, remembered as a true warrior of peace.
This trio—Fuchida’s command, Peggy’s compassion, and DeShazer’s
conversion—embody the gospel’s arc: attack, captivity, and release. Once enemies
shaped by the fires of empire, they were transformed by the flame of Calvary. The
sight of the cross carries a message that reaches every heart willing to behold it.
For Fuchida, its power shattered the bitterness within him and replaced it with a
divine urgency. He testified that it was solely through Christ’s love that such
transformation was possible, and he encouraged others to spread their faith with
joy and gladness.
Friends, the world still smolders with “kill and never surrender” cries—divided
homes, polarized feeds, grudges that span generations. Yet Jesus, crucified between
thieves, bridged infinities greater than Pearl to Nagoya. He compels you: forgive
the one who “beheaded” your dreams, love the captor of your heart, become the
Peggy to another’s pain.
Take time to reflect: Whom does Jesus call you to befriend? Share your story—not
of scars, but of the Scarred One who heals. Let His love remake you, turning
“enemy” into “eternal friend.” Step out in cheerful obedience. The harvest of souls
awaits.
Prayer: Lord, as You forgave from the cross, flood our bitterness with Your blood-
bought grace. Make us agents of Your peace, sharers of Your joy. And for this
transforming power, we give You our ultimate Thanksgiving Praise. Amen.
Verlyn
______________________________
Our Sabbath School and the Worship services are live and viewable via Zoom.
Two Adult Sabbath School classes are presented each week. One of them is
viewable via Zoom. The Junior/Earliteen Sabbath School class meets in the
Pathfinder Room. Cradle Roll and Kindergarten classes are available for younger
children. If you are unsure where the rooms or classes are being held, please don’t
hesitate to ask one of the greeters for directions.
The Worship service is in the Sanctuary and via Zoom. The Zoom Meeting ID#
and Password are listed below.
Zoom access for Crescent City SDA Church meetings:
Meeting ID #: 993 5770 413
Password: 4642738
You can join by going to Zoom.us, click on join a meeting, and then enter the
Meeting ID # and password; or by dialing 1 669 900 9128, entering the meeting
ID# and password as prompted; or accessing through the Zoom app.
November 28, 2025 – December 5, 2025
Friday 28 th Sunset 4:48 pm
Sabbath 29 th Church Worship Leader, Ginger Finley 11:00 – 12:00 pm
Sermon, Randy Steffens
Bible Lab The Lord's Prayer 12:30 PM
Sunset 4:47 pm
Tuesday Bible Study on Exodus 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Wednesday Community Services 1:00 – 3:00 pm Dorcas
Prayer Group 5:00 – 6:00 pm Church
Bible Study "Focus on Prophecy” 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Attendance via Zoom is welcomed by request.
Thursday Women’s Group 4:00 pm
Friday 5 th Sunset 4:46 pm
CALENDAR:
December 6, 2025 – Worship Leader, Courtney Bliss; Sermon, CCJA Christmas
Special Fellowship Luncheon this Sabbath Dec. 6 with CCJA Guests
December 13, 2025 – Worship Leader, Wilmer Hechanova; Sermon, Eddie
Heinrich
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The December Church Board meeting will be held on December 1.
Fellowship Luncheons are usually on the first Sabbath of the month, but because of
special Sabbath events, please note the weekly updates for any changes.
Tithes and offerings are being collected during the 11:00 AM Worship service each
Sabbath. Other options include the locked offering box on the rear wall of the
Sanctuary, the link to Adventist Giving on our church website:
https://crescentcityca.adventistchurch.org or you can download the Adventist
Giving app. Tithes and offerings may also be mailed to Crescent City SDA Church,
P.O. Box 1905, Crescent City, CA 95531. Please designate where the funds are to
be deposited: tithe, church budget, Little Red School House (School), special
projects, etc.
Thank you for taking the time to be part of our church family, in person or via
media. Please reply to this email (or ccadventistchurch@gmail.com) if you have
specific prayer requests. The Prayer Ministry team is active and cares about your
needs—let us know!
The Seventh-day Adventist Church is a mainstream Protestant church with approximately 19 million members worldwide, including more than one million members in North America. The Adventist Church operates 173 hospitals and sanitariums and more than 7,500 schools around the world. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) works within communities in more than 130 countries to provide community development and disaster relief.