"I saw many people going up the King's Highway. It seemed [like it was] the milky way or path of the sky."

Bishop R. A. R. Johnson (82 years old) - told to Zora Neale Hurston

"In 1958 I was robbed in my cab. They said, 'This is a holdup, get both hands up; don't try nothin', don't say nothin'. Give us your money.' They made me climb over the seat and get on the floor with my face to the back of the seat. They held a knife against my head and a gun on my back and shouted, 'Don't look at us or we'll kill you.'"

"But they weren't in charge. God was in charge. That's when I had a personal experience of Jesus, when I was lying there on the floor of the cab. I saw him and felt his touch. He threw his arms of protection around me and saved my life. That's when I turned my life over to him. I made him a promise that very moment that I would serve him for the rest of my life. What he did for me he will do for others. But you have to believe."

"Ever since that moment I have received a blessed life. I experienced a new birth back then and I want to tell everyone about it. 'Let your light shine before men that they may feel good works and glorify the Father who art in heaven.' I praise God and love him. I will not let anything separate me from the love of God."

"When my life was threatened that night, I personally felt the power of Jesus. He held me and I felt a heat go through my body. I immediately had no fear. He gave me a power and I knew right then that I would be able to help others by touching them. I knew it without any doubt. That's how strong the experience was. The warmth of Jesus's touch filled me with certainty and knowing."

"The heat inside my body made me feel like I was being lifted up above the situation. As I realized that Jesus was touching me, a song was whispered into my ear. I hummed along with it. The song only has three words and I have never stopped singing it. The song simply says, 'Just be nice.' That's it, but it gives me great satisfaction. It was a gift from God. It is my song. 'Just be nice.' The thieves let me go and I didn't stop singing that song for three months. I just sang it over and over again."

"Jesus took care of me and he has given me a long life. I'm past seventy-five years of age now, even though I don't look it. I thank him. He saved me and I am not afraid of dying. My purpose is to do good for others. Even to this day, I still say and sing those words all the time: 'Just be nice.' Those are the words God wants me to say and sing. Those words still bring tears to my eyes. The holy spirit brought all of this to me."

James Spurlock (taxi driver from New Orleans)