Last week, I told you about two dear friends who passed away. Both of them wrote a “love letter” to  be shared with family and friends after their “graduation to glory.” In Part 1, I introduced you to Walter Smith. This week, it’s Peggy Powell’s time to share with you the most important thing in the world to her, her deep faith in Christ. As you read both of these posts, I hope you’ll be led to join me in going ahead and writing a final love letter to your friends and loved ones while you can.

Peggy was born on July 19, 1937, in Big Spring, Texas, to Dr. and Mrs. John E. Hogan. She received a Bachelor of Education from Baylor University in 1959. On June 7, 1958, she married the love of her life, Boone Powell, Jr., from Dallas, and they celebrated 67 wonderful years of marriage together.

Peggy used her gift of teaching in many ways in their church’s college, junior, and high school departments, and at Vacation Bible School and Backyard Bible Clubs. In 1969, the Powells helped to start Abilene Young Life, a ministry that shares the Gospel with teenagers, which is still going strong. In 1980, Boone and Peggy relocated to Dallas when they started a ministry for engaged couples at Park Cities Baptist Church called “The Nearly Weds,” which they taught for 19 years and is still going today. They also continued their involvement in Young Life at the national level.

Another gift of Peggy’s was hospitality, and she used it with extravagance. Her home was always open to others, and there was always a seat at her table for someone new to town or just new to her. She was lavish with her love and treated everyone as though they were family. She had a “writing ministry” that extended to family, friends, and even the incarcerated. For friends newly widowed, she sent them a hand-written card every month for a year, and had a stack of cards to mail to them all for Valentine’s Day.

Peggy was a voracious student of the Bible, a gracious hostess, a faithful and devoted wife, mother, and friend, but most importantly of all, she was a true prayer warrior. We will never know this side of Heaven, the ripple effect, or the eternal impact of the prayers of Peggy Powell.

Boone and Peggy introduced Barb and me to the ministry of Young Life, and for many years, we served with them at Young Life’s Crooked Creek Ranch every summer. We also accompanied them on a life-changing mission trip to Ethiopia. They took us into their family, their lives, and their hearts.

Peggy Powell

Here’s her letter:

On July 19, 1937, in Big Spring, Texas, I was born to John and Dixie Hogan. In April 1946, I was born again into the family of God.

The invisible me—my spiritual heart, my soul, and my spirit—was inside my body on planet earth. Now my body died on [April 26, 2025], but I am very much alive in Heaven.

I want you to come to Heaven too when your earthly life is over. The Bible in Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 says, “The penalty of sin is death.”

Since Heaven is perfect, not one human who has sinned can come in. God loves every human being ever been born on the earth. He loves us so much, He made a payment for every sin committed since the first people, Adam and Eve.

Here is how: John 3:16 says that God so loved the world—not just good or nice people, but ALL people of all races, all continents, and all generations—He loved us so much He gave His only son, Jesus, so that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Jesus never sinned. Not ever. He lived on earth for more than 30 years and did not sin once. So God gave His only Son, who was perfect, to die for each of us. He qualified to give His life for our sins.

“As man as received Christ, to them He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Because Jesus Christ paid for our sins through His death on the cross, and proved by His resurrection that He indeed is the Son of God, I can receive Christ by faith, trusting Him for life everlasting.

How did I receive Christ Jesus, the Son of God? By asking Him to come into my life. I became His child, and He became my Heavenly Father. You can ask Him now with a prayer from your heart. Here is a sample:

“Dear Lord, I realize that I am a sinner, and I now trust You to come into my life and forgive me. Make me the person You want me to be. Thank you for loving me so much. Amen.”

Christianity is not a religion—it is a relationship with God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. A religion is man seeking God, but in Christianity, God seeks man. He initiates with love, and we respond.

He actually resides within me and I in Him. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“In Christ you have been made complete” (Colossians 2:10)

Some people think we go to Heaven if we are kind and nice people, or we attend church, or we help the needy, or we don’t do any really bad sins. Even though these things may be good, Jesus was clear: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). And we are warned not to fall for the tricks and lies of the devil, who is the enemy of God (John 8:44)

If you have prayed to receive Jesus Christ, seek someone who is a mature Christian who can help you understand the Bible, which contains everything you need to know to do God’s will. Find a Christ-honoring church and attend a Bible study for new Christians. Learn to pray and make it a daily habit. Read outstanding books highly recommended by great Christians. Keep growing closer to God’s truth and have delight and zeal for learning and doing His will for the rest of your life.

If you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Seek God’s will and do it. May God bless you abundantly.

Barb and I look forward to seeing you again, dear friend.

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