The Fiery Crash
Through A Fiery Trial
Our God -- Our Praise
Our Trial -- The Accident
Our Children -- Our Pain
Our Confidence -- God's Word
Our Preparation -- Our Salvation
Are you and your household prepared to handle the
certainty of death?
 Pastor Duane Scott Willis and his wife Janet dearly loved the nine children God had
given them. But mid-morning on November 8, 1994, a fiery auto explosion on I-94 in
Milwaukee claimed the lives of their six youngest. Within hours, the freak accident had
made national and international headlines. From behind guarded hospital doors came good
news concerning Scott and Janet: their physical recovery from first and second degree
burns would be complete. However, the most astonishing recovery became apparent as Scott
and Janet displayed their emotional and spiritual stability. Milwaukee, the nation, even
the world looked on in amazement as eight days later the bereaved couple explained to the
media how they could make it through such a sudden and horrific tragedy. The following
statements are excerpts from that news conference.
 "Psalm 34 says, "I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall continually be in my mouth. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is
good."
Janet and I want to praise and thank God. There is no question in our minds that God is
good, and we praise Him in all things. God is a great God.
"As far as the accident is concerned, I was looking at the road and was alert. Our
little baby was behind us; Ben was behind us on the other side. In the back seat were the
other four children; they were all buckled in. I saw the object (a metal brace, 6" X
30", 30 lbs.). I thought it was one of those blocks that maybe came off one of those
flat-bed trucks. The car in front of me swerved, and I knew I couldn't miss hitting the
object. I thought if I took it on the tire I might roll the car. It was a split-second
decision.
"When we hit the object, the rear gas tank exploded, taking the car out of
control. I was yelling to get out of the car. Janet and I had to consciously put our hands
into the flames to unbuckle the seat belts and reach for the door handles.
"Janet fell out the door while the car was still moving. Benny was in the midst of
the burning; his clothes were mostly burned off by the time he got out. The five youngest
children, who had been asleep, died instantly. No sound was heard by Janet or me as we
struggled to get out of the van. An unknown man took his shirt off his back to soak
Benny's wounds, and another beat out the burning clothes on Janets back. Benny died in
intensive care around midnight."
 "We believe children are an heritage of the
Lord. We thank God for six precious children: four rascally boys, a sweet girl, so much
like her mother, and a little baby. Just beginning to smile and grow. We understood that
they were given of the Lord, and we understood they weren't ours. They were His, and we
were stewards of those children. And so God took them back. He is the Giver and Taker of
life. We must tell you that we hurt and sorrow as you parents would for your children. The
depth of pain is indescribable. The Bible expresses our feelings that we sorrow, but not
as those without hope.
"What gives us our firm foundation for our hope is the Bible. The truth of God's
Word assures us that Ben, Joe, Sam, Hank, Elizabeth, and Peter are in Heaven with Jesus
Christ. We know, based upon the Word of God, where they are. Our strength rests in the
Word of God. The Bible is sure and gives us confidence. Everything God promises is
true."
"We thank God for his preparation for this trial. Janet became a Christian as a
teenager after reading a Gospel tract that somebody had handed her. On February 5, 1975, I
[Scott] trusted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. A man showed me that I was a
sinner--and I knew my own heart. Nobody had ever, ever in my life presented the Gospel to
me. I put my faith and trust in Jesus Christ; I believed that He died for my sins. I
became a Christian that day. Since then God has been working with us. He has prepared us
for this trial. Were not special people. Were sinners saved by grace. But were not taking
a short view of life; we take a long view, and that includes eternal life. We realize that
someday we'll stand before the Lord, and the things that are here will matter very little.
God's grace is sufficient for everybody."
Scott and Janet always speak directly concerning God's Word and the issues of life.
Neither would hesitate to ask --
Are you and your household prepared to handle the
certainty of death?
God's Word teaches that "it is appointed for men once to die, but after this
the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27). When you stand before the Lord God, what will His
decision be concerning you? Do you have absolute assurance that Heaven is your eternal
home? Have you trusted in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior from the penalty of your
sins? If not, please read and believe the following statements from God's Word the Bible,
and accept Jesus Christ TODAY! In God's eyes we are all on the same level: "There
is none righteous, no, not one...For all have sinned" (Romans 3:10,
23). We are
all sinners deserving eternal judgment in the lake of fire because "the wages of
sin is death" (Revelation 20:15; 21:8; Romans 6:23). However, "God so
loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him
should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). Eternal life can be
received only as a gift from God. It can never be earned, because "by grace are
you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works,
lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9). Through the death and resurrection
of Jesus, God's Son, God provided the only means for man's salvation. Eternal life is
available to anyone! "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be
saved" (Romans 10:13). Talk to God RIGHT NOW in prayer! Admit to Him your need as
a sinner and your trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. He will save you NOW! For
the one who accepts God's gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, eternity in Heaven is an
exciting and comforting guarantee! "And so shall we ever be with the Lord"
(I Thessalonians 4:17).
If you have just received God's gift of salvation through Jesus
Christ, let us rejoice with you! Please drop an E-mail note to me at logos@logosresourcepages.org.
We will gladly give you more information from the Bible about the Christian life and
answer any spiritual questions you might have.
(Used with the permission of author Mark Gillmore. Originally
published in tract form by
Falls Baptist Church. Currently out of print.)
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