Knocking from heaven's door
Ryan Showalter lead a four-person Youth Evangelism Service team that is serving with a church plant in New Haven, Connecticut. He shares this recent experience.
“We’ve been having a Friday night Bible study at our apartment. It’s quickly become my favorite time of the week. It’s our opportunity to really bridge the gap between the community and the church. This youth cell was a big hit when 15 people showed up at our apartment. That left the YES team sitting on the floor!
“One week when it was my turn to share the devotional, I was feeling a little overwhelmed because I also had to prepare a sermon for our special Sunday night service. Jeff, one of our neighbors who doesn’t go to church, showed up. He was quickly becoming a good friend, close enough that we could talk about cars, money, women, and Jesus. Jeff lives with his aunt and uncle, who are originally from Puerto Rico, but he spent most of his life living in Brooklyn, New York. He is struggling to find his way in life.
"This night Jeff showed up at Bible study wearing an undershirt and sporting a tattoo of his late mother. He told me he almost didn't come because he was having a bad day.
“Then when it was time, I spoke about how we are all created by God and that he has a purpose for our lives, that God is calling us into a relationship with him.
“During snack time Jeff came over and thanked me for sharing. He said he felt that it was really meant for him. Then he said, ‘You know, I'm not sure what God is trying to tell me but I feel like there is this knocking in the back of my mind.’
“God immediately reminded me of Revelation 3:20, 'Behold I stand at the door and knock. If any man opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me...’ As he read the verse his eyes got really big, and he said, ‘Wow, that’s for me.’
“I really did not have to say a whole lot after that. I just let Jeff do the talking. He completely opened up and shared his heart. This was his moment. God moved in Jeff's life and he will never be the same. Praise God!”
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The Connecticut YES team makes an impact on their community during outreach.
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