“…I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:10 – Jesus’ words for the church planter, the Apostle Paul in the city of Corinth.
Meet Todd (2nd from right), who just came to know Christ last week. We see continually that God is bringing more salvation to our city through the church.
Acts 18:10 reminds me as it did the best church planter, Paul, that God saves men and it’s his work and initiative upon the human heart. He draws sinners to himself and brings them to a place of true repentance and faith. This can happen to the most stubborn and sinful of people. Just as it happened to me years ago.
The gospel rings sweet when preached to those whom God is drawing and working to accomplish salvation. There are 3 truths from Acts 18:10 that have been like medicine to my weary soul in the trenches of despair and doubt while church planting.
- God saves. Many people in our city, Phoenix, should come to Christ.
- God loves. His love is for sinners to find Salvation through the cross.
- God invites. He invites us, the church, to play a key role in His redemptive plan.
Thank you for your support in giving and prayer. Read below to hear Todd’s story from Pastor David’s perspective.
- Pastor Ryan
We met Todd 3 months ago and he has been the most persistent, consistent guy around here that we have shared the Good News with. Ever since Todd visited our Missional Community at The Canyons, he has been hitting me up to “read the Bible together” or asking me “when can I help your church?…I want to help set up chairs or something.”
So, Tuesday evening Launch Team Training approaches this last week, and I see Todd outside all cleaned up ready to go 30 minutes earlier than I asked him to meet me. Once again I was almost in disbelief of his persistence. On the way to the house I told Todd, “Just hang with me tonight man…it’ll be cool.” He replied excitedly, “Right on!”
By 7 PM the 20-some adults from Imago Dei were filling the generous space of the welcoming home. Over coffee and dessert, the social energy was at a maximum by 7:05 and Todd was no exception to the social bugs. Todd was engaged in several conversations with guys, introducing himself and adding to the warmth and depth…to say the least, Todd felt right at home. By 7:15, Pastor Ryan gathered us all and cast a little vision for evening and somehow pitched the gospel like a fast-ball in the 10 minute vision/instruction talk. Ian played and led us in a of couple familiar worship songs with guitar and we split into our respective teams. I was leading the ushers and greeters team with 4 others (one being Todd). Half-way through our discussion and planning for our roles, Todd interrupted me sharply asking if could say something; little did I know that this interruption would change the course of his life forever.
Todd said: “I think I need to get saved tonight.” Our little usher/greeter huddle was caught quite off-guard, and I almost found myself searching my notes for this interjection. Then we quickly realized that Todd was quite serious. He went on to explain he said, “Man, when Ryan was preaching talking about how Jesus, God’s Son, was SENT here to die for us, I got all tense and felt like I had to do something right then, but I didn’t know if I could just interrupt, so I stayed quiet. And when Ian was playin’ those songs I felt it too…I want to get saved.” We saw the sincerity all over Todd.
By this point Frank (another gentleman in our team group) had stood up and sat down from his chair at least five times like a little kid overcome with excitement. We all wanted to rush straight to Todd and pounce on him with love and prayer to seal the deal, but we wanted to hear him out and let him share. We were all just looking at each other, and back at Todd, like we were trying to figure out the next move without forgetting something in our excitement.
We unfolded the Gospel Story for him clearly, and he was all the more excited to hear the truth. I led him through a prayer, and toward the end of it Todd joined me with his words aloud: repenting, asking for forgiveness, declaring Jesus’ Lordship and pronouncing his new found faith and submission to Christ. Todd was excited to declare the newness and cleanliness that Christ had given him.
Those few gathered had a great time encouraging him with His simple truths, words of wisdom and affirmation, and LOTS of Love.
Afterwords, I gathered up all the folks in the house and invited Todd to share. He stood up and said: “Well I got saved today!” The roar of joy was overwhelming.
Ian then led us in a closing song of praise. Many came to celebrate with Todd later and welcomed him into the family. Afterward, I had an exciting car ride home with Todd that was filled with a thousand questions.
Already, four days later, I am getting reports from other neighbors that Todd is professing his faith and sharing about his salvation!
This is gospel of Jesus in our city!
-Pastor David
