Dr. Jerry Gross and his son, Jason Gross take plea deals in US District Court.

My first memories of Jerry and Bobbie Gross are from a visit they made to the Greenville church in the early 90’s. They came preaching a Word of Faith – Kenneth Hagin type of message. Even then I could tell they were not fully on board with the Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) message. Their delivery conveyed their background and that was all about to change.

As we learned later, they cashed in that traveling preacher gig and moved to Spindale. Jerry took up a broom and began “getting to know God” as he swept up constructions sites for Carlson Farmer. If I remember right he talked of how it felt to earn minimum wage. Sweeping up sawdust became a spiritual adventure for him. Do others remember his journey?

Occasionally, he was allowed to speak in front of the congregation. He told stories of humbling himself and learning the ways of God. As the years passed, Jane would help him hear the next step was to reapply to medical school and become recertified as a podiatrist. He had closed his practice in the mid-west years ago.

As the months and years passed, Jerry shared stories of “taking a stand for righteousness” amidst the medical community. He shared stories about Doris. Was that her name? His dry sense of humor was moderated by an occasional redirection or rebuke from the front row of the congregation. Jane.
Continue reading Scheme or God’s plan? →