I completed the Bible Worker Training last year with Karen Lewis from RMC, and began to study with Joan, under the mentor ship of Karen. Later in the study, Teri Segebartt, our Pastor’s wife joined Joan and I in our study.
Early on while I was studying with Joan, two of Joan’s friends began attending Chapel Haven. I think that many of our congregation assumed they were Adventists who had just begun coming to our church, including myself. Sadly, not many of us went far enough to learn about who they were, other than the regular superficial greetings and conversations.
Joan began to talk to Clint and Doris about the Bible studies she was taking, and how much she was enjoying learning things in a new and fresh perspective. And they became interested in the same lessons. They asked me a couple of times how they could take this study, but I was not listening closely, and did not completely hear or comply with their request. They must have thought that I was quite rude, but they never said a thing about it.
One Sabbath Elder Eric Nelson, who is a member at Chapel Haven, was attending church, and met Joan, Doris and Clint. Doris and Clint asked him if they could take the studies, and he came to me and asked me if I would either study with them or find someone to do it. At that moment, I realized the mistake I had made in assuming that they did not really want or need the studies. I promised Pastor Nelson I would follow-up with them.
I had made the unfortunate mistake of assuming they were already Adventists and wouldn’t be interested in the studies. Boy was I dense! Doris and Clint and I began studying the Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies soon after that. We’ve formed a close and loving friendship, and we share how God has answered the prayers on the lists we make each week together. God is, definitely, Love!
Joan was a former SDA who had experienced a very painful divorce and was dis-fellowshipped from the church about 35 years ago. Doris had gone through the same experience. Neither had been to an Adventist church in years, but the Holy Spirit had called them back, and they answered the call. Clint had been a member of several different churches, including the Catholic Church. As he began attending Chapel Haven, he was more and more interested in the Adventist message. The studies helped all three of them to change the focus in their lives.
On Sabbath, October 20, Chapel Haven was extremely blessed and joyful to witness Joan, Doris and Clint come into the church by profession of faith. We have three new members who are going strong and already participating in ministries and services in our church. Going through the Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies had shown them a new view of Jesus, and His love.Clint says he now clearly sees how we more closely follow what the Bible teaches than any other church he had been a member of in the past. Joan and Doris kept saying “I never knew it could be like this!”
Do you want to find someone to share the gospel with? Don’t make assumptions that people you see in church already know and understand the gospel, and have a close relationship with Jesus Christ. And above all, don’t make the same mistake I did. Listen, take a real interest, and really “hear” what someone is asking for. They were asking for exactly what I was supposed to be giving, and I just let it fly by without notice. Praise God the Holy Spirit didn’t!
By: Linda Benningfield-Hashman,
Chapel Haven Church
|
TOP LEVEL
Departments
Printer-friendly page
Send this page to a friend