Jeff from Springfield

I interviewed Jeff after learning about him from a friend we know in Charleston, SC. This does not fit the mold of first generation Christians per se but shows how decisions made (in this case, at the age of 6) can rekindle that Spirit which is in you much later on in life, in this case, Jeff’s 40’s.

Jeff’s mom was the daughter of a Baptist preacher. She made sure he was in various church programs at his early age. He remembers, at age 6, being in a Vacation Bible School and when asked to accept the Lord, he did. Parenthetically, I remember praying with two young boys when they were in our home while living in Hawaii. I knew their parents were not living for the Lord but hoped my counsel to them would “take” and I would find out later on (now 30 years) that they are serving the Lord and active in their churches. So far, that hasn’t happened. I’m still hoping though

Back to Jeff. Jeff later went to a Presbyterian church and was baptized there. Still later, he went to college and lost his faith. The professors there challenged what little faith he had. He got married and went to law school beginning his career in trial law. After 20 years in a bad marriage, he and his wife divorced.

A couple of Christian people came into his life at this juncture. Jeff was also looking into some way to get his faith back, visiting Disciples of Christ churches and TM.

Then, one Christmas Eve, Jeff went to a Baptist church for their special for the season. That visit became the first of several progressive steps in returning to the faith of his childhood.

Jeff stopped practicing law 8 years ago. Then he began taking an interest in evangelism for children. That interest is thriving for him through a national program for child evangelism.

From my own personal discussions with Jeff’s friend in Charleston, Jeff has been great counsel to her in her crisis.


Learnings:

No matter how seemingly insignificant, what one does as a child impacts their future, both for good and bad
The Holy Spirit has a way of wooing one back to Christ. People as adults feel they have their own wisdom and intelligence to work things out. But if you have once tasted the freedom that comes from knowing Christ, nothing else satisfies the soul.

The Impact of Early Commitment

Kyle took this picture of the Christ Church Childrens Choir in Jacksonville when we were there last Sunday. As I sat there thinking about the interviews of adults who found Christ, I reflected on how I benefited so much from my parents influence through consistent Biblical living. Those children on the stage are getting started right. True, not all will make commitments, but the opportunity is there and is usually an indelible to guide them.

Mike and Cindy from Titusville, Fl

On this one, I talked to Mike. He said there were two factors that influence him to accept Christ. The first one was that his wife became a Christian and then two of his friends got saved and began to work on him.

But how did Cindy come to the Lord? This is interesting. They were living in Huntsville, Alabama when Mike’s wife began looking for a school for their daughter. It turned out to be a Christian school. Because of that school, Cindy was invited to a bible study with other women. She made a commitment through that experience and also received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Now back to Mike. When all this happened (now 20 years ago) Mike became resentful of his wife. In fact, he began to say “another man stole my wife.” But over time as he saw the change in her and as his two friends continued to show love and concern for him, he turned his life over the Christ as well. They never gave up, even through his resentment. Mike said this didn’t happen like a bolt of lightning, but gradually. He also talked about how Promisekeepers was an influence. He, too, received the Holy Spirit Baptism and has been active in their Assembly of God church for many years.

Learnings:

Not all adult decisions for Christ are the result of a crisis or troubled situation, but many seem to be so far. In this case, everything was fine with the family as the world would see it. But Cindy’s interest in the Bible study group opened the door.
The Christian school in Huntsville was the conduit to this family’s spiritual awakening. Score one for Christian schools.