Dr. James W. Delashmit former president of Hell’s Angels

[Pastor Sam]

Does anyone remember this great evangelist? He graduated from BBC Springfield, MO and pastored many years as well a preaching revivals across the country. He was my mentor and I served under his ministry for four years before going into full time ministry 34 years ago. He has since went on to Glory.

 

[Pastor Sam]

Does anyone remember this great evangelist? He graduated from BBC Springfield, MO and pastored many years as well a preaching revivals across the country. He was my mentor and I served under his ministry for four years before going into full time ministry 34 years ago. He has since went on to Glory.

I guess nobody on here remembers him. That is sad because he made a big impact on many lives. He has a large number of preacher boys who surrendered under his ministry.

I felt honored to be able to work under his ministry. I learned a great deal and his example to me helped me to have two very successful ministries.

Has anyone at least heard of him?

 

[Jerome]

Has anyone at least heard of him?

No, but sounds like he had quite the story, from these 1970s newspaper writeups:

 

[Jerome]

This from a 1980s newspaper article clarifies the 'Hell's Angels' stuff a bit:

"...he described the metalflake, lavender-purple paint job....The first day he went out two bikers stopped him and asked what gang he rode with. When he said he was a loner, they told him, 'Man, with a scooter like that you need to belong to somebody.' So he formed Hell's Angels of St. Louis...within two months he had 65 men riding with him."

"They had no direct knowledge of the California Angels, but they did their best to live up to the image of drugs, sex, and violence, he said....Eventually he was selling drugs to support his $75 a day habit....every time he saw his mother, he said she asked 'Jim, when are you going to go to church with me?'"

"He was taking more drugs, smoking 'reefers,' doing uppers and downers and lots of LSD. "I liked acid,” he said....He...had nine bodyguards...He had seven 'pieces of property' — female slaves he called them — in the gang....All the while, his mother was pressuring him to go to church."

"Sunday morning he dressed in his Angel’s colors, the Levi jacket decorated with club emblems — swallowed three 'red devils' — downers usually taken by insomniacs — and set off tor church feeling somehow 'mellow'....He admits the hallucinations from the drugs may have made the service a little more impressive. but regardless of the cause he was moved....he went forward to the altar."

"From that day he never took drugs or drank again, Within a year he sold everything he had, including the Harley....to attend the Baptist Bible
College in Springfield, Mo."

 

[rlvaughn]

I remember hearing the name, but did not know him and nothing more beyond hearing his name referenced.

 

[Jerome]

I found another:

 

[rlvaughn]

I (by request) updated some of his Find-A-Grave info, and a local volunteer was kind enough to take photo of his tombstone.
James Wesley Delashmit, Jr.

 

[Pastor Sam]

This from a 1980s newspaper article clarifies the 'Hell's Angels' stuff a bit:

"...he described the metalflake, lavender-purple paint job....The first day he went out two bikers stopped him and asked what gang he rode with. When he said he was a loner, they told him, 'Man, with a scooter like that you need to belong to somebody.' So he formed Hell's Angels of St. Louis...within two months he had 65 men riding with him."

"They had no direct knowledge of the California Angels, but they did their best to live up to the image of drugs, sex, and violence, he said....Eventually he was selling drugs to support his $75 a day habit....every time he saw his mother, he said she asked 'Jim, when are you going to go to church with me?'"

"He was taking more drugs, smoking 'reefers,' doing uppers and downers and lots of LSD. "I liked acid,” he said....He...had nine bodyguards...He had seven 'pieces of property' — female slaves he called them — in the gang....All the while, his mother was pressuring him to go to church."

"Sunday morning he dressed in his Angel’s colors, the Levi jacket decorated with club emblems — swallowed three 'red devils' — downers usually taken by insomniacs — and set off tor church feeling somehow 'mellow'....He admits the hallucinations from the drugs may have made the service a little more impressive. but regardless of the cause he was moved....he went forward to the altar."

"From that day he never took drugs or drank again, Within a year he sold everything he had, including the Harley....to attend the Baptist Bible
College in Springfield, Mo."

Did you listento his sermon "From Dope To Hope"?

 

[Pastor Sam]

I (by request) updated some of his Find-A-Grave info, and a local volunteer was kind enough to take photo of his tombstone.
James Wesley Delashmit, Jr.

Thank you for that I wasn't able to go to the funeral and so I will drop over and visit the grave.

 

[Pastor_Bob]

Does anyone remember this great evangelist?

I heard him preach at our church (SBC) in Illinois when I was a teenager. I remember his remarkable testimony. In fact, I probably have it still on a cassette somewhere.

 

[Pastor Sam]

I heard him preach at our church (SBC) in Illinois when I was a teenager. I remember his remarkable testimony. In fact, I probably have it still on a cassette somewhere.

What was the name of your church

 

[Pastor_Bob]

What was the name of your church

State Street Baptist Church in Lincoln, IL
Pastor S.M. Davis

The church moved to a new location in the mid 80s and changed the name to Park Meadows Baptist Church.

 

[Pastor Sam]

State Street Baptist Church in Lincoln, IL
Pastor S.M. Davis

The church moved to a new location in the mid 80s and changed the name to Park Meadows Baptist Church.

Yes, I know the church. I served Dr. Delashmit ministry from 1979-1984.

 

[Scott Roberts]

I came across this today. I was telling my wife yesterday what an impact Jim Delashmit had on my life. I heard him a few years in a row at Northern Kentucky Baptist.

 

[rlvaughn]

Scott, welcome to the Baptist Board.

 

[Pastor Sam]

I came across this today. I was telling my wife yesterday what an impact Jim Delashmit had on my life. I heard him a few years in a row at Northern Kentucky Baptist.

That is really great I hear this all the time. Thanks for sharing

 

[Ron Owens]

Does anyone remember this great evangelist? He graduated from BBC Springfield, MO and pastored many years as well a preaching revivals across the country. He was my mentor and I served under his ministry for four years before going into full time ministry 34 years ago. He has since went on to Glory.

I remember reading about him years ago while working with a teen youth group. Do you or anyone have a copy of his sermon, From Dope to Hope? Wasn't there also a book by him or about him? I would love to get a copy of that if possible.
Thank you very much!

 

[Ron Owens]

I came across this today. I was telling my wife yesterday what an impact Jim Delashmit had on my life. I heard him a few years in a row at Northern Kentucky Baptist.

Sorry, but came across what? My computer didn't show anything. I would like to find a copy of the book about Jim Delashmit and his sermon, From Dope to Hope. If you have any idea where these might be available, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[rlvaughn]

Ron, I think Scott just meant that he came across this post on Baptist Board.

Valley Baptist Church in Oswego, Illinois advertises that they have some of his sermons. I don't know about the book.

Jim Delashmit Recordings

 

[Rockson]

Did you listento his sermon "From Dope To Hope"?

I just listened to his sermon "From Dope To Hope". Quite an inspiration.