It was Spring of 1989. I was a sophomore at Texas A &M. My life was conflicted. I was living a double life. Born and raised in church, I had a happy childhood. As a teen I went to youth camps and had my set of friends from the church youth group, but I also had my ‘party’ friends from school that I would hang out with every weekend all through high school. I was so empty, trying desperately to do anything to fill the void in my heart. I knew that Jesus loved me and died for me, but my life didn’t match up to what I said I believed. No one in my circle of close school friends would ever say that I was living a Christian life…and I was so torn.
Then one day, on campus at TAMU, another student invited me to come to a noon bible study that met nearby at the Baptist Student Union. I declined over and over.
But I knew something was happening. I could feel that God was pursuing me, and I could not fight that feeling.
She invited me multiple times, and finally I agreed.
What I saw there that day, blew me away. I still weep now as I type when I think back on those believers in the room, worshipping God, and loving one another, because they WANTED to be there. They were there by choice, not because a parent or family member dragged them there. These were college students seeking after something, that I did not have, even though I thought I had it.
A life made new, a life in Christ.
After several visits to the BSU Noon Bible Study, the conviction of the Holy Spirit fell on me so greatly, that I went into the office of the director, Mike Graham, and I poured out my heart, confessing all my sin, and I cried out to Jesus to come into my life and SAVE me. I kept saying to Mike through tears,
“I know Jesus loves me! I know he died on the cross for me. I don’t want to live this way anymore!”
Then after that prayer, something happened. I literally felt chains that had bound me all those years, fall to the ground. I was free. I was new. The old had gone and the new had come.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and the new has come” 2 Corinthians 5:17
My life has never been the same. I turned away from all that I knew, all the partying, the lies, the deceit, the foolishness, and I gave myself fully to Jesus. The bible calls this repentance.
“Repent, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Acts 3:19
Not too long after that meeting in Mike’s office, I was introduced to a worship leader, Joey. Mike brought me to him and said, “I think you two should meet”. More on that story later.
You see, dear brothers and sisters. It was that INVITATION, that was the seed. And that sister in Christ, the one who kept inviting me, she didn’t stop with one ‘no’. She kept inviting me.
Who is in your life right now, who needs a touch from God? Who needs that invitation? Our doors are open!
Join us for the next Gateway.
Invite that friend and let us know you are coming. RSVP to gatewaystories@gmail.com or text me at 713-377-4451.
Finally, remember, evangelism is a process.
Planting. Watering. Reaping
I Corinthians 3: 6-8 Paul writes, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he who plants anything, neither he who waters; but God that gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.”
