ASSIST News Service (ANS)

PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA E-mail: , Web Site: http://www.assistnews.net

Friday, August 2, 2002

Dramatic new video features exclusive interview with Cheryl McGuinness, whose husband Tom was co-pilot of Flight 11, the first plane to smash into the World Trade Center. Producers believe it is a “perfect tool” for 9/11 remembrance

By Dan Wooding Founder of ASSIST Ministries

RIM FOREST, CA (ANS) — On September 11, the life of Cheryl McGuinness was turned upside down when she discovered that her husband of 18 years wouldn’t be coming home. Tom McGuinness was the co-pilot of American Airlines Flight 11, the first plane to smash into the World Trade Center.

In an exclusive video interview Cheryl talks about how her faith in a loving and sovereign God has helped her survive the September 11 attack that took her husband home to be with the Lord.

The 38-minute video called “On September 11th, Everything Changed”, released by American Renewal Movement (ARM) and produced by veteran documentary filmmaker, Joe Class, also features a 20-minute clip of the Gospel of Matthew account of the life of Jesus from the Visual Bible. And in the final few minutes is an invitation to “Know Jesus” given by Bruce Marchiano, the actor who played Jesus in this film.

In the video, Cheryl talks about the events of that fateful day. The phone call she received that terrible day; the visit from the chief-pilot; the cry of her heart; and her thoughts on what she would say to her children and how she would go on with her life.

“In her candid interview with us, Cheryl shares openly about this – the hardest day of her life — and the faith that carries her forward each day,” said David Goad, founder of American Renewal Movement, which is based in Rim Forest, California. “She offers each viewer the opportunity learn more about Jesus and discover why faith is important.

“Cheryl also shares her journey from pain and suffering toward a renewed conviction of God’s goodness and a life of hope in Jesus Christ.”

HOW HER LIFE TURNED TO “ASHES”

During a late July interview at her former church near San Diego, Cheryl said, “Like the World Trade Center, my life turned to ashes on September 11, but God has shown me some beautiful things. “God is taking my ashes and wants me to tell people that God didn’t destroy my husband. We need to teach kids of the many evils that exist in the world today, but it’s no longer dust. He wants me to tell people there is a time for restoration.”

She described the difficulties of being a widow and a single parent, but how Tom’s life had prepared the family for his early departure.

“He was a great husband and father,” she recalled. “Jennifer is 17 and Tommy is 15 now and they have precious memories of their father. Every day he would sit at the kitchen table, reading his Bible and praying. Tom would play catch with Tommy for hours in the back yard. Everyday the two of them would play ping-pong after dinner. Tom and Jennifer enjoyed talking about anything and everything. They saw Tom’s walk and the way we lived our marriage – how important faith was to us.

“That’s how they remember him. Now they’re encouraging me by repeating some of the things he would tell them about faith and eternity. They know they’ll see their father again in Heaven.”

Tom and Cheryl McGuinness were high school sweethearts. They married and lived in Florida for 18 months before moving to San Diego, California, where Tom went to Top Gun school at Miramar. He served 12 years in the Navy prior to his 12 years with the airlines.

They had lived in Fallbrook, California, for 17 years before moving to the East Coast last year to escape Tom’s commute to LAX and be closer to the American Airlines headquarters. Cheryl was a stay-at-home mom.

During an interview with a San Diego paper, Good News etc, she recalled a conversation during a dinner for their wedding anniversary, three months before Sept. 11. “He shared about how a friend had lost his wife and I told him I didn’t think I could live without him if something happened to him. He told me what to do if anything happened: 1. Trust in God. 2. Surround myself with people who love you and can help – our church family. And 3, to call Larry Grine, our pastor from Bonsall.”

“I remembered – and I did all three – and it made such a huge difference. It’s still very painful, but my church family – in Portsmouth and Bonsall – have been a tremendous support.”

“TOMORROW WILL BE BETTER”

“When it’s painful, I just remember, one day at a time and trust God. And tomorrow will be better.

“Like September 11, 2001, 9/11 this year will be a day none of us will ever forget,” Cheryl said. “I’m excited about the way the video came together and pray that it can effectively communicate the hope of the Gospel message. I know where God was on September 11. He had my husband cradled in his arms as He took Tom home. That’s why I’m able to go on.

“My hope is that people going through the deepest darkness can turn to the Lord of life, Jesus Christ. It’s all about a commitment to Jesus and developing a personal relationship, knowing the hope that there is tomorrow. I know that I will see Tom again.”

Cheryl said she hoped that churches could use the video to help share the Gospel message, to encourage people to come to know Jesus Christ the way Tom did.

“Only when you’re in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can you survive so much pain and agony,” she added.

David Goad and Joe Class, who now runs Class and Associates in Orange, California, had worked together for many years on the JESUS Video Project. Class said, “David and I knew that, as the anniversary of September 11th came around, there would be great interest from millions of people who would be asking if there was a spiritual answer to this great tragedy. We wanted to see if we could create a piece that would show that in that, in spite of the grief that Cheryl experienced, God could sustain her through it all.

“This is a powerful witnessing tool and already, Churches are using this production to reach their communities – buying 20 – 50 – 100 or more. They’re blanketing the area around their church – giving them to every home.”

He went on to say, “Many churches are also planning to give a copy of the video to all who attend their special 9 11 remembrance services and then giving out copies to all visitors during the rest of the year.”

For information about ordering the video, call 1-800-378-3179 access code 05 or go to the http://www.americanrenewalmovement.org and order it from there. The cost is only $10.95 each, plus shipping, handling and tax (where applicable). For quantities of 100 or more the price is just $7.95 each.

Note: To book Cheryl McGuinness for speaking events phone Maria at (909)

336-2436.

****************************************

Dan Wooding is an award winning British journalist now living in Southern California with his wife Norma. He is the founder and international director of ASSIST (Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times). Wooding is also a syndicated columnist, and was for ten years a commentator on the UPI Radio Network in Washington, DC. Wooding is the author of some 40 books, one of which is “Blind Faith” which he co-authored with his 93-year-old mother Anne Wooding, who was a pioneer missionary to the blind of Nigeria in the 1930s. Copies of this book are available from the ASSIST USA office at PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126. His writings are on the ASSIST Website at: http://www.assist-ministries.com

***********************************

** You may republish this story with proper attribution. Send this story to a friend.

ASSIST News Service is brought to you free of charge and is supported by friends like yourself. If you would like to make a donation (tax-deductible in the US) to help us continue this service around the world, you can do so by logging onto our website — http://www.assist-ministries.com — and making the donation by credit card or by sending a check to ASSIST, PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126.

ASSIST News Service is brought to you in part by Make Me Your Voice, a 501c3 non-profit music outreach dedicated to helping persecuted Christians around the world. Visit them at http://www.MakeMeYourVoice.com .