Question #8, May 2022:
What involvement do you have in the game today?
Steve Lillis
Steve Lillis:
On August 29, 2020, I fell down a flight of stairs and broke my right hip which required a full right hip replacement, broke my left wrist, and tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder. It took almost one year of rehab to get back on the pool table to play without pain. In the Summer and Fall of 2021 after having had COVID that January 2021, I returned and did Gospel Trick Shot shows and traveled to the Midwest and in the Northeast and played through the pain. The pain completely ended the week before the 2021 U.S. Open 9-Ball in September. Thank you, Jesus! I felt so blessed to play professional pool again as I even won a few matches on the Joss Northeast Tour and in the 2021 U.S. Open 9-Ball in Atlantic City, NJ with Matchroom Sports. In late October 2021, while attending Pat Fleming’s International 9-Ball event, I started feeling dizzy and weak and ended up in the VA Hospital in Norfolk, VA and was released with a diagnosis of vertigo. I had to withdraw from the tournament and could not do GTS shows in our Gospel Trick Shot booth at the 10-day event. Special thanks to Pat Fleming who helped us through this whole process!
After a good rest during the 2021 Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday break, I returned on tour in 2022 with Gospel Trick Shot to Arizona twice, California, Indiana, Florida, and Las Vegas to do 35 Gospel Trick Shot shows in a three-month span and play in two Predator pro-10-Ball events. At the end of my last tour on April 4, 2022, I knew something was seriously wrong. After a recent doctor’s visit on April 7th, I ended up again in the emergency room of the hospital on April 8th to have immediate surgery to open up two main arteries in my heart with three stents. As I write this article on April 27, my cardio rehab is one week away and I am in recovery feeling much better. May and June 2022 will be cardio rehab in preparation to hopefully return on tour in July and August with Gospel Trick Shot as shows are already scheduled locally. Then in September Lord willing, I am once again scheduled to play in the 2022 U.S. Open 9-Ball in Atlantic City, NJ with Matchroom Sports.
My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been with me every step of the way these past two years as I am so thankful to be alive to have more opportunities to share the glorious Gospel through GTS shows and to play and compete in the game of billiards that has been given to me by God some 60 years ago as a gift! Each part of this recent difficult journey has given me more sensitivity towards hurting people and has equipped me further to share the love of Jesus more effectively as we have seen many people give their hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ in the last few months! All glory to God as I look forward to how the Holy Spirit will confirm every new adventure as an ambassador for the Kingdom of God! Please pray and together let’s see what God will do in my life and the lives of others as we continue to share the love of Jesus with all our many friends and partners of Gospel Trick Shot Ministries, Inc. www.gospeltrickshot.org and www.gtsrackrooms.com
Tom Rossman
Tom Rossman:
At the tender age of 72, I continue to feel like a “kid in a candy shop”…as the “gifts” God has blessed me with and the talents / skills God has equipped me with help maintain an unspeakable JOY from the “sights and sounds” of “spiritual billiards” in all its forms.
I still do entertainment shows in a “tent making” capacity (secular contracts) and as impromptu requests are made to demonstrate the “table trotter” style of Artistic Pool (“Trick Shots and So Much More”). There is a spirit-led energy that starts moving within me so naturally anytime these occur.
In the early years of doing shows I often wondered when it would become…in presentation lingo…SMOOTH. Over the years I discovered the Holy Spirit is always producing an “alive (smooth) stroke” in us, so to speak, as we focus on the amazing and victorious “Cross” message of what Jesus did for all of us. I hope and pray that God allows me to continue to share the joy of each “artistic” and heartfelt cue movement…until God completes my journey.
Additionally, for over 50 years now I continue teaching private and group lessons, do instructional workshops, present online video instructions (80 with the APA and 36 with the CSI), plus many other forms of knowledge engaging sessions, as God opens those doors.
I also work in the industry with private promoters to direct events and/or promote products that are used as “witness tools” for Christ and that produce special “joy in the heart” moments both on and off the table.
One day of the week I head to Indianapolis to play 3 Cushion (my favorite disciple) and fellowship with my “carom” buddies. I also have several friends that live near me with pool and / or carom tables, so when I am nudged to do so, I continue in a more relaxed witness mode of play.
In summation, I have discovered that when I do the activities above in the industry (and beyond) I have an expectation for God to show up in some way, especially with the Holy Spirit direction of my steps to do “what it is that He wants me to do”!
Sort of like when one goes to a fight and a hockey game breaks out! When one goes where the Holy Spirit leads…shows, teaching, directing, playing, and more game involvements simply “break out”! The purpose for doing these things becomes evident…for a far greater goal of “sharing the light” of Jesus to those needing hope, encouragement, and a listening ear and / or someone to lean on during a difficult journey / trial experience in life.
Even though the activities above could be construed as “secular” in nature, I now look at them as “spiritually initiated” and common in purpose — to give God the glory, thanks, and praise for each moment. More and more “ministry” attachments under the GTS umbrella (since 2000 for me) and now the new GTSRACKRooms.com website (debuted in April 2022) help me to keep my focus on the everlasting love of Jesus Christ and the “Message of the Cross”!
Blessings to all… Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman. Submitted 4/27/22
Robin Dodson
Robin Dodson:
My involvement in pool today:
Hasn’t wavered a bit, but for sure it has a much different look to it.
After retiring from the Women’s Pro Tour in 2002, I began teaching pool in retirement communities. I also enjoy helping my students in the amateur arena, those playing in our local APA.
I still LOVE the excitement of pool balls dropping, only now it is through a much different lens—from the passion of my students. Their successes are my successes.
My students’ ages range from 12 to 97, and all in-between. Priceless, is all I can say.
We still have my beautiful Gold Crown IV, and it will never be for sale. My pool table will always have a very special place in my life. I look around our pool room today which houses mementos from many of my career titles, along with a Hall of Fame honor. WOW! I even went on to get my certificate from the PBIA to become a Certified Instructor. My walls are complete with many proven accomplishments. I am very thankful.
I am also writing. Who knew I had what looks like a book inside me? The title will be Thirty Wows because it will be filed with stories that will cause anyone reading them to finish with a big “WOW!” So far, it’s been a love- hate undertaking because I feel very incompetent. I am no writer, and yet I believe God has inspired me to finish well. When Thirty Wows is finally finished, I guarantee I will be the first one to say, “WOW!”
Thank you for asking. Life is great, and Roy and I are enjoying our Golden Years together. Pool is very much alive and well in the Dodson home.
Tommy Kennedy
Tommy Kennedy:
Hello, again everyone for my answer to question 8. I am still heavily involved in the game like I have always been. I run the J. Pechauer Southeast Open 9 Ball Tour and am giving many lessons when I can. I also do exhibitions and sell cues whenever possible. I also see this as a very vital ministry to reach the lost for Christ. That is really the main reason I am still here playing and being involved with the game to reach a lost and dying world that for the most part is on their way to Hell. Jesus said, I have come to seek and to save the Lost.” I want to follow the example of The Lord Jesus Christ who said, ” I have come to set the captives free.” He also said, “He that follows Me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life.” And “If you call upon My name you shall be saved.” Christ is the savior and deliverer. He can release any man from any bondage that he is in. When we come to Christ for salvation and forgiveness, He meets us where we are and gives us eternal life. We have to know Who He really is and repent of our sins and turn to Him for salvation. Jesus is God in human flesh and He is the only savior of mankind!!! He died on the cross and then He rose again from the grave a risen savior. He ascended back to The Father and He will come again to establish His earthly Kingdom which has no end. Jesus Christ died for you and He paid for all of our sins in His own body. This is why I continue on in the pool world so I can reach the people that God wants me to reach. I have a special calling on my life from the Lord Himself. I am His ambassador and anyone who is a Christian is one of His ambassadors. We are His slaves and we are doing His will when we witness for Him and call others to Christ. I have the highest calling in the universe to lead people to Him. This is why I exist. In the book of Acts Jesus made this statement, “You shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be My witnesses.” Jesus said, “Go into all the world and make disciples.” We need to listen to Christ and reach out to others on His behalf. Thank you everyone. Tommy
Nick Mannino
Nick Mannino:
I’ve been retired from the game for a long time now. So I don’t compete in any capacity other than playing in a men’s club in my town or at my house. I try to share freely to others what I know about the game when and if asked, like others did for me when I was learning to play. I think it’s endless what we can learn in one lifetime! I pray to the Holy Spirit for opportunities to share the gospel wherever I go. Nick Mannino
