Monday, August 17, 2009

Low Tech Evangelism

The church I attend and haven't been kicked out of yet, www.firstchurchpo.org, is doing a big community party this coming Sunday. Some nutty person from the church thought it would be a great idea to GO to the homes surrounding the church and personally invite people to the event. After church yesterday, my son Devon and I took to the streets with invitations to the event. We knocked on doors. We rang doorbells. The 3rd home we walked up to had the front door and window open. I said, "Hello, I'm Mike from the church just down the road. We're having a big block party next Sunday afternoon. You are invited to come. By the way, is there anything I can pray about for you?" She said, "Yes, you can. I am going to lose my house and my car. Can you pray about that?" My son Devon and I held the hand of this woman and prayed with her as tears ran down her cheeks. Devon and I continued on our door-knocking trek. I was incredibly surprised at the great reception we received from the households that surrounded the church. It was hot. Devon and I were both sweating like pigs at a barbecue. Praise God, we were nearly done. Just one invitation left and nearly one block away from the church. I saw a home with a ton of kid's bikes and toys in the yard. We walked up to the door and knocked. I introduced myself and gave her the last invitation. I almost walked away but I stopped and said, "Is there anything I can pray about for you?" She said, "Yes, my husband and I are getting a divorce. I don't feel comfortable taking my three boys to his church anymore. Can you pray that my boys and I find a new church?" I invited her to check out the nutty little Methodist church I attend just one block away from her home. Then Devon and I stood in the doorway of her home, held her hands and prayed as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Churches, there are hurting people just one or two blocks away from your church just waiting for you to knock on their doors. You don't have to travel to another state or another country to do mission work. What if your mission trip was just one or two blocks away from your church?

8 comments:

  1. Mike,
    Yesterday afternoon at 6:30PM, while mowing my lawn, God told me he loves you and he really likes what you're doing for Him. Frank M.

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  2. Just Do It....that is what Jesus said.
    http://swervechurch.wordpress.com/2009/08/11/nike-just-do-it/

    I will be preaching on that this sunday at TLC. (unless I change my mind)!

    cool examples. louie

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  3. I just saw franks comment.... mercer boys teaming up on you...... and yep. God loves you...you knucklehead. He don't care what you used to do or be... he just cares that you are serving Him now. louie

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  4. Great Job as always Mike & Devon! Always doin the Lord's work!

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  5. That is such an important wonderful story. We try to get fancy with our ministries . . . and just going door to door, praying for people touches lives.

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  6. Good stuff, Mike. Sometimes I think we spend too much time and energy trying to brainstorm, plan, strategize, and utilize technology in ministry rather than just simply being a good neighbor to our actual neighbors.

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  7. Loved this story. I hope we hear about others experience. You had Devon with you - so he is a great door opener. He had a huge purpose out there. JE

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  8. Hey Mike great story. Your genuine approach and love for people opened their hearts to possibilities. Lets hope they come this weekend and we show them some more Christian Love.
    Eryl

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