Just a note to let you know how much I and the congregation of Hope Bible fellowship appreciated Gus’ visit to Round Rock, TX on May 16 and 17 as he spoke with our men, and also to our congregation.  The manner with which Overwhelmed By Grace supports Gus financially in his ministry is a blessing to our small but growing and transitioning church. We are very much a church in need of the type of message and ministry Gus provides but are limited financially  After speaking with I board member of OBG, I learned that Gus charges no fee to come and minister but is completely supported by the generous donations of the supporters of Overwhelmed by Grace.

Thank you for supporting our ministry in Round Rock (Austin area) by supporting Gus in his.  With your help we are making a difference.  His time here is still making a difference, and I would suggest, just now beginning to take root, with fruit to follow in coming months!

- Pastor Todd Southard
Hope Bible Fellowship
Round Rock Texas

It was our privilege to host Gus and Karen for a weekend in our Church, Faith Community Church in O’Neill, Ne and in our home and enjoy their fellowship. Gus ministered to the Body of Believers at Faith Community Church three times, on Saturday evening, Sunday morning in our worship service, and then again on Monday morning at 6:30 to a group of leadership men. In addition, there were many opportunities for “one on one” sharing with many, including pastors and Church leaders.

There were many expressions of gratitude for the inspirational and encouraging messages that spoke to individual hearts, also words of affirmation by several in attendance that Gus and Karen’s ministry were to them a “Divine appointment”. God’s people were truly blessed.

Along my “journey of faith” I have been greatly blessed by the ministry of many outstanding Godly servants of the Lord, some nationally known. Among those who blessed my life in over 6 decades of faith’s journey, there were three that especially impacted my life spiritually. One of those men is Gus Bess. I praise our Sovereign Lord for arranging my life so that I could be so encouraged and challenged to more deeply pursue Christ intimately. I believe That Gus is a true representative and voice for God, and believe that the ministry of “OVERWHELMED BY GRACE” will bear much eternal fruit.

– Bob Seng
O’Neill, Nebraska

My family and I enjoyed several days with Gus and Karen.  It was a joy to hear of the great things the Lord is doing through the ministry of Overwhelmed by Grace.  The Bess family has been a huge encouragement to the Baldock family.  I have been praying for God to give me a word of encouragement that I might share it with those who follow Christ and share the Journey with Gus and Karen.  They have brought glory and honor to our Great and Mighty God; living out Life in the Kingdom, with great faith in our Lord and King, Jesus the Christ!

What It has been a joy it has been to have a pastor, mentor and friend who always points you back to our Beloved.  One that comes alongside our family, to bare our burdens with us and to, through God’s grace, encourage, admonish and instruct through God’s word the exceeding riches we have, through faith, in our Mighty God.

There is much more to share, but I encourage anyone to take the time if they have the opportunity to spend some time with Gus and Karen.  The Bess family lives out their life in Christ with great faith and transparent for all to see what mighty things God has done in and through and for them.

- Bobby Baldock
Carlsbad, New Mexico

During his short stay at our church Gus Bess has had a profound impact on our congregation, our community, our church staff, Deacon Board, Elder Council and me. His teaching and preaching is grounded in the “Breath of the Almighty” and laced with personal illustrations that have fallen on open minds and ears and willing hearts. There is now a new passion for worship, an enthusiasm to bring glory to God and an eagerness to be in His will.

I believe Gus has been the catalyst to begin a Spiritual revival here in Paso Robles. With his constant reinforcement of God’s Truths and his perpetual encouragement of whomever his happens to be with, he has set a powerful example for me, as well as others to follow.

Gus has had a profound affect on my life by reinforcing belief in my ability to teach, lead, mentor and shepherd. He has revealed to me the importance of enjoying our Lord first and then finding how we may serve Him as an act of worship. His ability to empower others to use their God given gifts and talents to minister to each other is a wondrous gift from God.

- Mike Goodman
Businessman, church elder (First Baptist Church)
Paso Robles, CA

I met Gus the second or third Sunday he was the Senior Pastor at First Evangelical Free. What struck me, and still does, is his standard vociferous, and obviously sincere, greeting of “Man of God, how goes it?” It took time for me to fully wrap my mind around that phrase; he kept preaching it, and I kept thinking about that truth. As the Phillips version of 1 John explains it (3:1-2) it’s more than just what we’re called…it’s what we are. When fully embraced, this changes a man’s outlook in all issues of life! This is what Gus has done for me – better, this is what God has done for me through Gus – and I’m very grateful for it.

- Charles R. Putney, Sr.

I met Gus through a mutual pastoral friend in the ministry.  Gus was the area superintendant at the time for the Southwest Border District for the Evangelical Free Church.  From the moment we met, I knew that I was in the presence of a godly man.  Gus greeted me with the phrase, “Man of God!”

Through our conversation together, God used Gus to bring me to Saguaro Canyon EFCA as their interim pastor.  Gus opened the door to build a bridge between the struggling congregation of 24 families and myself to come on board as their Interim pastor.  Nine months later, I was called to stay permanently, and Gus came and gave the official charge to the church to take care of their new pastor!  Today we are a church of 85 families, and we are still growing!

Gus has always been an encourager, exhorter, convictor, and mentor to men.  I have watched him in action over the past four years, and every time He speaks, I am motivated to be a better pastor, but most of all I am convicted to be a better Christian, a better husband, and a better role model to those that I am called to minister too.  God has a way of using Gus to ”move the hearts of men” each time he speaks.

- Pastor Neil Watson
Saguaro Canyon Evangelical Free Church
Tucson, AZ

“God used Gus as he preached the “kindness, tolerance and patience of God… that… leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). I tasted the fruit of this repentance as three people sought to reconcile with me the first week after my sabbatical. Gus saw to it that there was never a sense of competition between us. He strategically prepared the congregation for the day I would return to preaching; so much so, that the entire congregation erupted with applause the moment I announced, “It is good to be back.”

Prior to this period of time, we frequently questioned our ability to continue at Grace Fellowship or pastoral ministry anywhere. Now we talk about the refreshing opportunities available at Grace Fellowship. Before, I had come to a point of reluctance on Sunday mornings for loss of “pulpitering” confidence. Now I sense the presence of the Holy Spirit both in preparation and preaching, and I now refer to myself as a “self-respecting, confident, free man.” It is simply easier to shepherd the flock these days. God definitely used Gus and Karen, challenging us to think in new ways and be courageous in ministry.”

- Jim Anderson

Gus has had an amazing effect on my life.  Prior to meeting Gus I knew that I loved Jesus but did not have a relationship with Him.  Gus has taught me through his transparency as a man that you can indeed have a relationship with Jesus The Christ.  He also has taught me that to truly be a husband you also must be a servant to my wife and to give myself up for her.  We had a good marriage before but now we have a GREAT marriage due to my understanding of what a husband’s role truly is in a marriage.

I was blessed by being with Gus and other men on the trip to Ethiopia last February.  Gus was the same man on the trip that we have seen weekly in church. The respect that the Ethiopian Evangelical leaders had for Gus was further testimony as to who he is.

Gus has so much to give to the men of Tucson to truly make a difference in our city. Everywhere he goes he reflects God’s love.  Seeing how Gus deals with the challenges of life demonstrates his loving relationship with Christ . Once men come to know Christ through Gus’ teaching, they cannot help but be great husbands and fathers as well as be the leaders that Tucson needs for the future.

- Merle Breiland
Tuscon, AZ

I’ve known Gus Bess for over 8 years now and I can tell you that there isn’t another human being in the world like him. Gus is a breath of fresh air to the church of Jesus Christ! I believe that every church and ministry in America should spend at least 1 month with this man. I’ve met pastor after pastor who consider Gus to be their pastor and who greatly desire to spend time with him because of his ability to “fan into flame once again” their heart and passion for Christ and His kingdom. He is a pastor of pastors with years of hard earned wisdom, kind words of encouragement, and an unwavering delight of God and His word.

I’ve spent these last 6 ½ years working under Gus for this one simple reason; Gus Bess is the real deal! He is an authentic follower of Christ who is after the heart of God far over and above a desire to be successful in ministry, finances, or life. Gus has given me a living example and encouragement of how to give glory to God in all things and worship Him at all times even in the midst of great suffering.

- Jim Roden, Lead Pastor
“The Journey” An Evangelical Free Church
Tucson, AZ

For 43 years I’ve produced and operated my own natural and cultural history learning vacations – educational tours – in Mexico and the Greater American Southwest. I came to know Gus in 2004 when the Lord brought me to First Evangelical Free Church in Tucson, thus profoundly ending about 25 years of backsliding. Looking back, I can see the steps along my journey as God led me to Gus’ ministry precisely when I was ready for relationship, not religion, a core of Gus’ teaching.

Gus has deepened and strengthened my relationship with God through Jesus by prayer, and by example. Gus is a practiced Man of God, truly blessed, and he has shown me how to walk with Him (and with him) on the journey.

- Piet Van de Mark
Baja’s Frontier Tours
6060 East Calle Ojos Verde
Tucson, AZ 85750

Our Lord said that in this Life we will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world!  That is so true.  What a blessed place to live; in the presence of our Savior.  To experience His presence, his fragrance and his Love is well; overwhelming.  What a joy it has been to have Gus Bess, pastor, mentor and friend, to always point you back to our Beloved.  To come up alongside our family, to bare our burdens with us and to, through God’s grace, encourage, admonish and instruct through God’s word the exceeding riches we have, through faith, in our Mighty God.

There is much more to share, but I encourage anyone to take the time if they have the opportunity to spend some time with Gus and Karen.  The Bess family lives out their life in Christ with great faith and transparent for all to see what mighty things God has done in and through and for them.

- Bobby Baldock