Steve Lillis and Tom Rossman in Jerusalem
BCA Chaplain Steve Lillis with Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. and BCA Hall of Famer Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman with Dr. Cue Promotions toured the Middle East for over two weeks to help build bridges in the name of Jesus using the wonderful sport of billiards. Four war torn countries were visited including Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel. A total of 13 Gospel Trick Shot shows were performed with 2 teaching clinics that included national billiards teams. Shows were done on American pool tables, English and Canadian snooker tables, a carom table, and a Russian pyramid pool table. Also included in the trip was a Holy Land visit with Muslim, Jewish, and Christian tour guides.
Steve and Tom were special guest performers for the Arab Championships in Beirut, Lebanon which included national trams from 16 Arab nations. In Israel they did a live TV interview, a Gospel Trick Shot show, and a teaching clinic for members of the Israeli billiard team. They also spoke at a Messianic Christian Church and helped start two Billiard Bible study groups in two different billiard rooms which are now called RACK rooms (Recreational Ambassadors for Christ’s Kingdom) with one in Lebanon and the other in Israel. Travel was challenging as transportation was provided by 9 private cars, 7 taxies, 4 buses, 6 planes, all of which included
travel through 20 military security checkpoints.
Steve and Tom are also McDermott Ambassadors and McDermott cue sticks were brought and distributed as gifts to some of their special hosts and friends. Special thanks to all of our billiard friends across the region who helped build bridges across different cultural, religious, ethnic, and national backgrounds. Billiards is alive and well in the Middle East and is a strong bond to bring people together. Tom and Steve went as men of peace with cue sticks in hand with the message of Jesus who is the Prince of Peace!
