CloseUp - Jo Deck
By Jo Deck
November/December 2001 Family Voice

Jo Deck is Prayer/Action Leader in New Port Richey, Florida.

How did you join CWA?
I’ve been a part of CWA for more than 20 years. My husband and I are college friends of Tim and Beverly LaHaye, so we met with them when they traveled near our home in Illinois for a Family Life Seminar in the late ’70s. Beverly had been working to oppose the Equal Rights Amendment and was encouraging people across the country to join CWA in prayer and action.

How have you been involved since then?
I led a very active chapter in Illinois, until I retired from full-time public school teaching and moved to Florida for retirement.

Those early days in Illinois hold special memories, like the first time Mrs. LaHaye asked us to picket stores selling pornography. We had never done anything like that, but we marched in the winter when it was 30 degrees below zero, and in the heat of the summer too. Our group in Florida is very faithful, wonderful ladies and men who meet each week.

What has your group been doing recently?
I had seen a poster of our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust,” and I thought it would be wonderful to have those in public school classrooms. Our group decided to take the idea to the Pasco County School Board. We framed a poster to present to the superintendent of our school district, John Long. Then a local paper published an article on what we wanted to do, and that led a group of people to join us in support at the meeting. The American Civil Liberties Union tried to say this was unconstitutional, but Superintendent Long supported us. We’ll be assembling the posters for the schools in the next few weeks.

CWA of Florida has many opportunities for you to make a difference. Call State Director Cathy Boyer at 407-282-4601. For information about other states, call 800-458-8797.

How do you get word out about CWA?
I’ve been doing a public access TV show, Talk it Over, for about ten years. It started as a panel discussion show to educate the local public on issues and our local and national leaders. Now I do an interview format with leaders in the community, experts on political issues, and citizens who have taken action.

How have you done this for so many years?
The Lord gives me strength, and wisdom to choose people for the program. I love doing it. About the time I think it’s time for me to get on out, someone will encourage me not to. The Lord inspires me.

More from November/December 2001 Family Voice