For the past month or so, I have been picking up a young man by the name of Zach on various occasions and we have been going street witnessing with the rest of The Jude 23 Network team. You may recall when I first met Zach at the Flea Market back in April, he had an understanding of Biblical Evangelism, but let me go through the complete Gospel. I made the "assumption" that he was a Christian because that's what he told me. He was attending church and even involved in a Way of the Master evangelism training class.Over the past couple of months I have been mentoring/discipling Zach specifically in evangelism, but we've talked about general Christianity and other items as well. Zach's a great kid and reminds me of a typical 17-year old young man trying to find his way in life and sort everything out.
I've also been able to give Zach's friend, Miranda, a ride as we have headed out to the streets of Louisville, KY. She's a solid Christian that knows how to Biblically evangelize! She's a great encouragement to me and hopefully to any female who thinks preaching the Gospel is just for men.
Both Zach and Miranda attend the same church and had invited me to attend "Youth Day" at their church. They were both going to be pretty involved and really wanted me to come. Well, you know how that goes. Here's my typical thoughts when someone invites me to their church: "I already attend a church and we go every Sunday." "Would it be okay with my pastor?" "What will my Sunday School teacher think?" "I want to be faithful to my local church."
I knew that this was important to them, so I decided to go. I sent an EMail to both my pastor and Sunday school teacher letting them know the situation. We showed up to Zach and Miranda's church today at 10:30am.
The service started with the youth choir (which Zach and Miranda were part of) singing. It was great. Various other songs and skits followed and then Zach stepped up on the platform with a microphone. Zach began to give his testimony.
Zach began talking about a man who had made an impact upon him in his younger years via the Cub Scouts and also a man who would visit his house weekly and spend time talking about God with him. He then said that he met that same man at the altar of his church when he was about 1o years old. It was a very heartwarming and encouraging testimony. But then the tone changed...
Zach said that he had turned away from the Lord in his early teenage years and began getting involved with the wrong crowd and did not serve the Lord like he once had. He then gave me the biggest shock of my life by saying that he didn't even think he was saved until "I met John Heuglin who witnessed to me and..." I was like WHAT??? My wife and kids were looking over at me and (okay, I'll admit it) I shed some tears. I HAD actually been witnessing to Zach and he did understand the Gospel, but this time crystal clear. Apparently, Zach had went home and did some soul-searching and truly repented before God. Zach continued by saying that only since he had talked with me and was going out witnessing weekly, had he truly been living a Christian life.
Miranda also gave an awesome testimony of how God changed her life and to pray for her as she gets ready to leave for her two-week missionary trip to Belize in Central America. I pray that she goes to Belize as a faithful witness and boldly proclaims, "I am not a tourist."
The highlight of the service for me was when the youth did the skit to the Lifehouse song "Everything". It was awesome! Zach played the character that was luring the young Christian with money. I've included the video here so you can check it out. It's great!
(click on the video at any time
while watching to view it in a larger format)
