Disaster relief is a perfect model of the love expressed by God. It is God’s call on my life. It is my ministry. Every disaster response presents incredible opportunities to share God’s love. EvanTell’s
ACT111.org training prepared me to use those opportunities to not only share His love, but to also share His gospel.
We often work alongside the victims of the tornadoes, floods or fires to which our teams deploy. We always begin the day with a devotional. The devotionals are really a time for the spirit to work in the people who have been hurt so badly by catastrophes beyond their control. During a wildfire disaster response, I met Bernie who seemed to be particularly moved by our devotionals. Bernie’s home was not burned but he was scarred by what he witnessed as he fought to save his neighbors and their property. Bernie got word that his uncle had passed away. Hearing the news, I found him in one of the homes he was wiring for power.
It was a prolonged hug, almost clinging, and tearful. I got a lump in my throat as I held him while he shook. He kept saying again and again how much he appreciated the Bible studies and in particular the messages I gave that focused on love. I remarked that in times like these it is a real comfort being a Christian. Like a blow his words hit me:
“I wouldn’t exactly say that I am a Christian.”
My thoughts ran wild. I don’t remember the scripture references. I don’t remember where my Bible is. What was that illustration about cancer? What if I mess up? What if he rejects me and messes up our friendship?
“Ernie,” the Spirit said. “Ernie!” the Spirit said again …“If you don’t comfort this man with the only hope you have to give him, you will be lower than low!” Step 5. Be bold! Or was that step 6?
When lunch was over I had my Bible and the little EvanTell card inside. “Bernie, has anyone ever taken a Bible and shown you how you can know for sure you’re going to heaven? May I?” With tears in their eyes Bernie and his wife, Patsy, both prayed to receive our precious Lord.
It is NOT IF the Lord will put people in your path that is ready to hear, it is WHEN he will do it. I am resolved to be ready when he does.
Click here for more information about Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief.
Texas Baptist Men and EvanTell have partnered together to provide evangelism training to all 8,000 of Texas Baptist Men’s volunteers and staff, and to create specific gospel resources for use during their deployments and mission work. The Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief leadership also spearheaded the idea of devotional resources for their teams while on deployment, Bible study materials to minister to them and help keep them focused on the reason they are doing the disaster relief work. EvanTell has trained key leadership as certified evangelism instructors and plans to certify more in the coming year. The training is a key part of the volunteer recertification process and will be accomplished through live evangelism workshops and through EvanTell’s free online evangelism training at
www.act111.org.
If you are interested in supporting the equipping of gospel resources used during disaster responses by Texas Baptist Men or in helping to train their 8,000 volunteers, you can make a generous contribution of any size to this partnership on
EvanTell’s website or by sending a check to EvanTell-Texas Baptist Men Partnership, P.O. Box 741417, Dallas, TX 75374-1417.