February 2007 Monthly Letter

Jesus said, "Go into the city to a certain one, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, My time is at hand…" Matthew 26:18

God had a divine appointment for a certain woman and man who were recent attendees at a Presbyterian church in the Philadelphia area. Both came at the invitation of friends.

I preached two different sermons but with similar endings. Both concluded with a specific opportunity to pray with me silently to receive Jesus Christ as one's personal Savior.

After the first service I sought out a woman in the back pew who had raised her hand as a visual sign of praying. I asked her, "Was that the first time you ever prayed to receive Jesus as your personal Savior?" "Yes," she replied and went on to say the following:

"I almost didn't come today. I have been coming to this church for five weeks. A friend of mine who goes to this church has been meeting me in a mall parking lot that is about 10 minutes away. On my way today, I noticed that my gas tank was near empty so I stopped for gas. By the time I got to the mall parking lot, my friend had left without me.

My first inclination was not to come. I wasn't sure I knew the way. And if I did find my way I didn't want to walk in late. Well, I decided to try to make it on my own, and I did. I was able to slip in the back pew while everyone was standing for the first song. Then when you were introduced as the guest preacher, I was a bit disappointed that the regular pastor wasn't preaching because I really like his preaching. I'm sorry, but I'm being truthful!

But, was I ever in for a surprise. The Bible verses you used were right on for me and what I am going through in my life. I couldn't believe it. Here you were a stranger and yet it was as if you knew me and my situation. I felt that God was speaking directly to me in what you said. I felt a warming in my heart and was immediately drawn into praying to receive Jesus' love and forgiveness into my life. I feel like I'm a new woman inside. It's hard to explain." With that the tears of joy began to flow! Tears are the language of the heart!

Her friend came over and she expounded to her what had happened. I then introduced both of these women to the pastor's wife and asked her to contact both of them that week.

In the second service, a red faced man lifted his hand after the prayer time. I went to him and asked him the same question. He, too, said "Yes," and went on to say this:

"I have been drifting in my church attending for the past few years. On New Year's Day I made a resolution to 'get closer to God in 2007.' Yesterday I purchased a new crucifix, (he began to unbutton his shirt to show me.) I bought it as a sign of my resolution to get closer to God. Well, a moment ago I accepted Jesus Christ into my heart as I prayed the prayer you led us in. So on New Year's Day Jesus was on my mind. Yesterday He was on my chest. Now today He is in my heart. How much closer can He get than that?

God's timing is always perfect. I am so thankful that you find time to pray and give to this ministry financially. I am having so much fun following Jesus in such a way that He is making me a fisher of others. And He is doing this through you. Thank you, partners!