Long-term evangelism

A man whom I'll call "Dave" came to see me last week. I've known Dave for over 20 years. He's not what folks around here would call a "church-goer." Not by a long shot! He's been (as westerners might put it) "rode hard and put up wet!" But throughout the years, during some of the rough spots in his life, Dave had felt free to come by and talk. I've thought about trying to evangelize Dave in the past, but somehow it never seemed like the right time (whatever that means). Maybe I should have been more aggressive, but I'm just not the aggressive type!

But this visit was different. Dave was broken -- by another bad marriage and divorce, by business problems, and by who knows what else. "I've finally realized that I don't need another woman, I need Jesus!" And so, finally, we talked about Jesus. Dave still has a ways to go -- he still doesn't quite understand that sin is not just what we DO but who we ARE -- but he's so close to the Kingdom that he (and I) can taste it. I'm praying that he'll "get it" and take the final steps; and I'm pretty confident he will.

But my point -- again -- is that this was a contact that God has nurtured for years. And when Dave finally does stake out his faith in Christ it won't be a flash in the pan "decision" but the first step in a life-long walk of "discipleship!" And I'll have the great privilege to be there to walk with him.

It's worth it for a pastor to stay around long enough to see these kinds of relationships bear fruit!