How old were you the first time...

[janine]

I honestly cannot remember if I have ever been the one to "lead someone to Christ".  Most of the time I've had anything to do with it, I've been part of a joint effort.

Sometimes it's working together with my husband.  Almost all the converts I can recall, from my two older kids to the most recent ones, have been "loved into the Kingdom" as I stood with Mike.

Sometimes someone else will be in a series of discussions with a friend or co-worker, and will bring me into the relationship.  You know, because their friend has a quirky sense of humor, or is Catholic, or seems to have some other point of connection to crazy me.

I'll really have to think back over the past 20 years & try to rememeber if there has ever been anyone I could point to and say, "Yup, that one there, that's the Lord's and mine."

[janine]

If only all it took was getting them in the door...

[spurly]

Have you ever felt like this  :bangingheadagainstwall: when you were trying to tell someone about the story of Jesus?

Kevin

[spurly]

In our student ministry we are moving to an evangelism focus.  We are going to be encouraging our students to invite others to church, where they will hear the gospel.

Why not invite them to go out and share the gospel?  Because many of them have too great a fear of doing that.  However, if they can summon up enough courage to invite a friend to a "Water Blast" or some other event at the church, and their friend accepts Christ as a result, maybe that will give them more boldness to be his ambassadors.

Personally, I was 20 the first time I led someone to Christ.  I was to scared to really even share my faith before then.  I was afraid of rejection - big time.

How about you?  How old were you the first time you led someone to Christ?

Kevin

[dgdodd]

The first time I lead someone to Christ, I was 17 and a member of the ICOC.  Even before that, it was not difficult for me to invite my peers to church.  Inviting people to church was the easy part, inviting them to God was a little more challenging.

[Jeff]

I was 20 as well, and in the predecessor to the ICOC.  I think I got double credit because this young man eventually became a "Soul Talk" leader (tongue-in-cheek, folks!)

In my gray-headed days now, I'm much more convinced that God uses me in the "Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" mode of evangelism.  My Jewish neighbor came to a Christian wedding at our church last summer, and I have enjoyed building a friendship with this man and his family.  In time, hopefully the seed will germinate.

Oh, Yes. Shared something I wrote once. A simple story about the first time I went to our church. Kind of cute. He told me he wasn't into the Watch Tower. Thought I was a Jehovah Witness. I was just like, no, sorry. That would be my lead person. He and I talk all the time.

My lead person is much like Edophore. What he is, a trip. Who he is, a creation of God. I guess maybe this is why I get called so many names. Christ said, go and make disciples of all nations. I believe He meant it. So I do. It is not easy. Just made a list. I have 64 people that cross my path everyday. Somehow, someway I have shared Christ with them. I decided to write their names down start praying for them as the spirit moves me.

My husband saw it this morning. Asked me if it was a hit list. His name is first. I said,"Yes, dear and YOU ARE first. We are going to hit you with our best shot". I always pray for the Holy Spirit to give me the words I need for each person. Love them regardless of who they are. A lot of christians do not share because they hear or see others living in sin.

Like swearing. Sometimes that is just a part of a persons language. I once realized that when I said, "Oh nuts". That was a curse that came from my heart. Yet, someone else can use what we deem foul language, as cursing. I don't think it is. Sad, it actually stopped another brother. Very good man, from sharing with an employee. This employee was 33 years old, didn't know Christ, had four heart attacks in two days. Dosen't know how long he will live. My brother, he was like, I didn't know. Well, my friend why didn't you get too know him? Such foul language he said.

When you reach out too people. You must build relationships. Encourage,  find out what they are putting there belief in. I do not teach doctrine, or the authority given me by the coc. I teach love and the authority given me by Christ. I have begun too share where a person is at. Where is their committment? Do they know what committment is? What do they know about God. Who is the Father that created you? Sometimes leading to or starting from a discussion of there own Father. Like one man was complaining about how ungrateful his own child was. Wanting a pair of Nikes and all. Suddenly came to me through prayer. Children mirror there parents. What they have their minds turned too. After listening with compassion and love. He said I don't understand kids now adays. It was a question infact. So I simply asked him. You think maybe that is how the Father above might feel? Are you always grateful to Him? This man didn't know the Lord. But it opened a door too his heart. Caused him to question himself. Seek out a relationship that if he so chose, would have to work at. It is not up too me to tell people how too live their lives. This is how my church works.  

Most have learned not too ask me ANY questions. I'll give'em the truth. My dear, sweet husband is learning that. He just shakes his head now, starts laughing. He has learned alot. Funny, Saturday, he just told a friend, being an alter boy would not get him too heaven. Couldn't contain myself. I was like,"And you my dear, what will get you there?" Light always enters the room than. You can than almost see a twinkle in someones eye.

I don't want too resemble the disciples who have taught me. I am very proud to say Brother Valentine is my pastor. A man after God's own heart. I am sure he is challenging our church body. We are looking forward to challenging him. But he directs people to the Lord. Sometimes, people want a patten or word for word. You can not do that. Praise God, Bobby dosen't do that. He encourages all too read and breathe the scriptures. Pray in your mind. Get too know people. Wake with the Holy Spirit bending your ear. Knowing the Lord has been working through the night. Go out to His creation with excitement and love in your heart. Not too fill the pews. Too fill His church. Never knowing the lives you will touch.

I teased Bobby the other day. Making a name for him in our great land of beer and cheese. He is having problems selling his house. Has probablly 30 people he has never met, who have not been baptized, are not what we would call practicing christians, they are praying for him. It is a start. One woman in the hospital, we prayed for her to recieve Christ. Could lose her twins. Been in labor for over a week. Not even seven months yet. I put her too work praying for our church body, my own brother, and Bobby. She was so surprised. Took her mind off of her own pain. Didn't believe it was LEGAL and all. See how easily our hearts are swayed? God asked Moses, "what do you have in your hand?" I always laugh, first time I heard that, it was a chulupa from Taco Bell. Talk about breaking bread. Three chulupa's, lots of love and humor, it fed me, plus many more, for the whole day.