Jay and Rebecca met Phil and his wife, Jane, through work. Rebecca was Phil’s transaction manager in her real-estate job.  They hit it off- sharing meals, going out, and had a special trip taking the train to San Diego.

Not Christians, Phil once told Jay, “Don’t try to convert me.”

He had no desire for God, but that didn’t stop Jay and Rebecca from becoming close friends with them; Rebecca even thought of them as parents.

Phil had battled cancer for over ten years. Throat, lung, and stomach cancer was taking his life.

“Phil had a massive stroke that paralyzed his right side,” Jay described. The stroke left Phil unable to speak, but he could still hear, lifting his left hand in his hospital bed so his friends knew he could understand them.

“We’ve prayed for them over the years that they would come to know the Lord.  A couple of days after the stroke I went to visit him in the hospital.” Jay wanted to try to tell Phil the Gospel one last time.

Jay held his hand. “Phil, can I talk to you about God? Squeeze my hand if it’s okay.” Jay asked.

Phil squeezed his hand. Heart racing, Jay shared the Gospel with Phil. He told him that we are all sinners in need of a Savior and forgiveness for our sins.

“Jesus wants you to come to him. He died for your sins. He wants you, Phil.”

Jay waited for any type of response.

Phil’s hand relaxed. “I didn’t know if it was a peace that came over him…” Jay reminisced.

Phil passed away a few days later. “We pray with all that is in us that he is a brother in Christ.”

Hope in his eyes, Jay finished, “Hope for the lost is not over until their last breath.”