A simple conversation that opened the door to Jesus. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I want to share a little story about something that happened to me just the other day. My hope is that it will encourage you to look for opportunities to share Jesus with the people God places in your path. You may be surprised at how simple it can be. The day before yesterday, I went outside my apartment and encountered four children playing near my building. There were three girls and one boy, approximately eight to twelve years old. I often see these children gathering together in the afternoons and evenings, playing, laughing, making noise, and enjoying their time together until darkness falls. On this particular day, I began chatting with them. As we talked, I looked up at the sky and said something like, “Wow! Look at that beautiful blue sky and those beautiful clouds. There must be a God in heaven who created all this beauty for us to enjoy!” Immediately, one of the young girls, who appeared to be about eight years old, asked a wonderful question: “I wonder why we cannot see God?” What an opportunity that question opened up! I began explaining that we cannot see the air around us, yet we know it is there because we breathe it every moment of our lives. In a similar way, just because we cannot see God with our physical eyes does not mean He isn’t real or that He is far away from us. As the conversation continued, the children began asking questions about Jesus and sharing their own thoughts about who He was. They were quiet and attentive, and I realized that this ordinary conversation had become an opportunity to tell them about the Lord. I shared with them what I know about Jesus Christ: that His coming was foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures, that He was born of a virgin, and that throughout His earthly ministry He demonstrated His divine authority through the miracles He performed. He gave sight to the blind, healed the lame, cleansed lepers, cast out demons, and healed multitudes of people. He even fed five thousand people with just five loaves of bread and two fish. He raised the dead and taught people the truth about God and His kingdom. But I explained to them that Jesus ultimately staked His ministry on something extraordinary. He said that although His body would be destroyed, He would raise it up again in three days. And that is exactly what happened! Jesus went to the cross and died for our sins, giving His life so that everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him might receive forgiveness and eternal life. He was buried, and on the third day He rose from the dead. He appeared to His disciples and many others, demonstrating that death could not hold Him. The heart of the Gospel is this: God came to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus died for our sins, rose from the dead, and offers forgiveness, peace, and eternal life to all who put their faith in Him. After sharing these things with the children, I invited them to bow their heads with me and pray, asking God to draw them near to Him and helping them express their faith and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior. All four children bowed their heads and folded their hands, and I led them in prayer. When we finished, I looked up and said, “Amen!” They looked up too, and together we said, “In Jesus’ name, amen!” It was such a simple moment. There was no church service, no microphone, no special program, and no elaborate presentation. Just four children, one ordinary afternoon, and a conversation about Jesus. Before we went our separate ways, I wanted to leave them with one more thought. I told them that God created all the animals, from the little beetle crawling on the ground to the lion, the zebra, the giraffe, and the eagle flying through the sky. He created the fish and the whales in the oceans. He made the stars in the heavens and all the wonderful things we see in the world around us. And He created you and me! Then I asked them a question: “Now, what is left for us to do?” I told them that this was the secret. The little girl who had asked why we couldn’t see God thought about it and answered: “Be thankful!” “Yes!” I said. “Be thankful—and make a joyful noise!” We all laughed together and made a little joyful noise. And that was how our afternoon ended. What I Hope You Will Take Away From This Story Dear friends, I share this story because I believe many of us sometimes make sharing the Gospel more complicated than it needs to be. We may think we need to know more Scripture, have all the answers, or wait until the perfect opportunity comes along. We may worry about what people will think of us or whether we will know what to say. But sometimes, all we need to do is begin a conversation. A beautiful sky can become an opportunity to talk about the Creator. A child’s question can open the door to the Gospel. A conversation with a neighbor, a coworker, a family member, or a stranger can become an opportunity to share the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Jesus told His followers to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20). He also told us to let our light shine before others (Matthew 5:16). And the apostle Peter encouraged believers to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within them (1 Peter 3:15). We do not have to force conversations or pressure people into responding. We can simply love people, listen to their questions, speak the truth in love, and trust God to work in their hearts. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6, one person plants the seed, another waters it, but God gives the increase. We may never know what God will do with a conversation we have today. We may never see the full results of a seed planted in someone’s heart. But we can be faithful with the opportunities He gives us. So the next time you step outside, sit beside someone, meet a neighbor, or find yourself talking with a child, remember that you don’t need a stage to share the Gospel. You simply need a willing heart. Look for the opportunity. Ask a question. Share what Jesus has done for you. Tell people about His death and resurrection. And when the moment comes, invite them to consider putting their faith in Him. And remember the little girl’s answer to my final question. What is left for us to do? Be thankful—and make a joyful noise! May we live each day with grateful hearts, rejoicing in the goodness of our Creator and sharing the wonderful news of Jesus Christ with those around us. May God give us eyes to see the opportunities, courage to speak when the door opens, wisdom to speak with love, and hearts that desire to see others come to know Him. In Christ’s love, A fellow servant of the Lord

We got to go to Prestiege Bridgewood Retirement Community. We sang hymns and shared Jesus with about 30 residents.

About a month ago, I was at the grocery store buying school supplies for the supply drive the church was having. I struck up a conversation with Janet, who was buying pencils for her friend. We both shared that we were on a cancer journey. I was able to encourage her, share about the LORD’s faithfulness and pray for her right there in the store aisle.

Our Second Saturday “Share Jesus” team went and shared the Love of Jesus in downtown Vancouver. We had over 20 Gospel conversations & were able to pray with divine appointments. We gave food & loved on the homeless. One God story (there were many) including one team member connecting with a psychic who is curious/open about the Gospel. She received prayer and immediately began reading the gospel of John when she received a copy of the New Testament. Another part of the team stuck to the Farmers Market area & distributed tracts. There were countless conversations, times of prayer, prophecy, sharing the love and light of Jesus to those who need to be reminded that there is a hope greater than this world. Glory to God for how He worked today! 🙌🏽

Had lunch with my boss and shared about my faith and the peace it brings to me.

Last night, my son Uriah was having a sleepover at his friend Carter’s house. We were talking about what time Uriah needed to come home for church in the morning. His friend Carter’s eyes lit up and said I would like to come. He came to church with us. Carter wants to continue to come to students and wants to get baptized!

I was at the Casino watching sports. I struck up a conversation with the fellow next to me. He said his name was Gary. As we talked, I found out that he had been a Paramedic and has had his back fused in several places. I began sharing Jesus and His love with him. He had a few questions, as well as telling me that his doesn’t believe that there’s a God. When we die, there’s nothing. He said that he was scared to die. I told him I would be too, but we have Jesus, He came and die for us, all we have to do is believe and repent of our Sins. I begged him to reach out to Jesus, He will hear you’re prayer. He said that he would. Please Pray for Gary and his Wife.

I met a young man today by the name of Hervic. He was a roofer meeting someone at Starbucks for a job interview. I got to share the love of Christ with him and pray with him. He was a young father of a daughter of four years old and was recently unemployed.

Shared Jesus with neighbor Gina and she and her family want to come to church and learn about baptism!!!

I’ve had the opertunity to share Christ with my friend Lars at work. Lars has been fighting cancer at 34 years old. We’ve been talking and sharing with one another. Lars has excepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, and has started his baby walk / steps in his Christ. Lars has been sharing with his wife and 4 year old Daughter. They have started looking for a Church home. Please keep Lars and his family in your prayers. Also that Hod wood heal his cancer. All Glory to God!

I sold an item on offerup. To a young man named Jose. He’s new to the North West, no family or friends. Just went through a divorce. New job, was to start but injured his sholder. I had the privilege to encourage and pray for Jay and his situation. Please keep Jay in your prayers.

I gave some clothing and a blanket to a homeless man. I asked if I could Pray for him. His response was absolutely not, very closed off. Please pray for Andy, he has a very dark spirit over him.

Today I took my vehicle into Toyota for an oil change and I got to share Jesus and invite one of the texts there by the name of jazz to Church this Sunday. It was super cool.

I gave a homeless man some clothing and a blanket. I asked him if I could pray for him. He said yes. I was able to pray for Jay and direction in his life. Please pray for Jay

Saturday myself and a team of 12 went down to the Vancouver Farmers Market. We shared Jesus with over 30 people! It was super fun and we plan to go again at the next Second Saturday.

I stopped by and gave a Homeless Man some clothing. Afterwards a was able to share Christ, lay hands, and pray for him. Please pray for Jay. (Direction)

I was doing a follow up with a young man that I had share Christ’s love with. I stopped by his work with some scripture that I had printed out. He was not there. As I was leaving the Holy Spirit put on my heat to go back and share with his coworker. What a Bless (for me!) As it turned out, he was ready to hear and receive God’s word. Please pray for JaQuinns and his wife.

As I was speed walking this morning, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to invite a fellow walker, I had never seen, to our Easter services with the card in my pocket. I asked if he had a home church, & he thanked me gratefully after I explained & gave the card. A week ago I did the same with a couple, walking their 3 dogs. We had seen each other off & on, but I never took time for us to introduce each other.

Rachel and Matt shared Jesus with Leon and invited him to church. They met him and his wife at the gym and felt led to share.

My family is learning and has started attending church more consistently lately and I was able to chat with my mom on some family struggles she has been having and God just so kindly opened a door for me to share about Him, talk about Jesus and what He did for us and how we now get to live for Him. I was able to explain how when my life truly transformed it was when Jesus went from being not just at church but in every single aspect of my life and I could hear her start to engage and ask questions. It was a beautiful testimony sharing time and just so thankful for Gods guidance. Please pray for my mom and family and for them to just see all the ways God is chasing after them and loves them so much.

I volunteer with the ministry in Battleground called Younglife. There is a student I’ve been hanging out with for the last few months and just shared with him about his need to receive Christ as his personal Lord and Savior I shared with him how he can know Jesus and asked him to start praying about Giving his life to Christ. I asked him specifically to take action when he knew that that is what he wanted to do and for him to contact me when he knew that he wanted to take action on giving his life to Christ. We just had that conversation at 1 pm, Sunday, March 1. Please be praying for Malachi that he would take a step of faith and accept God’s gift of forgiveness and salvation.

A family friend of ours has been hurt by the church and away from it for years. God uses our children, sports & activities as continued divine appointments to encourage, pray with & love on them. We continue to see Him softening their hearts as they continue to invite us to family gatherings and even last week inviting us to a huge family event that allowed us to share our faith & inviting many to join us for Easter at Crossroads.

Last week I was in the checkout line and was able to share about my faith and encourage the woman checking me out.

Last week I was in the checkout line and was able to share about my faith and encourage the woman checking me out.

We were at Costco and ran into a school friend of our sons. We were talking with the mom and we got to share with her about growing in her faith and invited her up church. She wants to encourage her kids in their faith and understanding of the Bible as well as her own!

My wife and I purchased a family vehicle last week at Carmax and I was able to share and pray with one of the employees they’re named Michael. Please pray for him as he was seeking prayer and encouragement.

At my Wednesday morning, Bible study I was able to share about the love of Christ to a man named Alyx. It was super cool to encouraging him.

Shared the hope of Jesus with my barber Lionel. She had so many questions and was totally open to hearing about Jesus.

Rachel and Matt shared Jesus with Leon and invited him to church. They met him and his wife at the gym and felt led to share.

After hearing about a Bible study in my home last summer, my neighbor Jen asked to join. She wanted to know more about Jesus, believing His love had to be earned. Around the same time, another neighbor, also named Jen, recently divorced with a young child, shared her hesitation about attending a Bible study because she didn’t know much about Jesus. I prayed and felt led to invite both women into my home to learn about Jesus’ grace and love. Unsure where to start, I was guided to the book of Matthew and later to the Essentials of Faith series by J.D. Greear. Soon after, Jen discovered the Singles Bible Study she was invited to was at Crossroads and now attends weekly, along with her child in children’s church. Both women began attending Sunday services with me. On December 21, Jen responded to an altar call and gave her life to Jesus. We continue meeting weekly and are preparing to study Exodus together, growing as sisters in Christ.