How to Witness. Or Not.

As we began our Grace Intergenerational Groups study of gospel-shaped outreach, we were asked about a surprising witnessing opportunity. It wasn’t the opportunity that was so surprising, but the outcome certainly was.

Many years ago, Paul and I were members of a church which offered Evangelism Explosion training. It was a very good program for those who like purpose and organization. It helped us try to overcome timidity, as it gave us a deliberate plan for conversation. It had rules, order, direction and a grace-filled use of Scripture.

One particular class day, a lady in our church had called the preacher and told him that her unsaved sister was visiting from Florida and would be leaving the next day. She insisted the pastor come that evening and talk to her sister.

It was a perfect opportunity. My team for the day was the preacher, Brother Wally, another man, Mike, and me. The usual plan was that the group leader would introduce the group and our reason for the visit and then say that another of the group was learning to talk to people about God and ask permission for that one to share what she was learning. This time, that was me.

The moment we walked in the door, the plan blew up. It seemed evident the lady of the house had not informed her sister that we were coming, and Sister was not happy. As soon as the pastor began to talk about God, the sister began to argue. She did not accept any statement he made. Brother Wally is endlessly cheerful, and her anger did not slow him down for a moment. Her continual arguments did derail the conversation, but he would not respond to them. It wasn’t really a “conversation” at all. She would not accept anything he said; he would not respond to anything she said.

I was quite frightened by her hostility; I thought we needed to politely excuse ourselves and leave. Mike never said a word—he was praying. The lady of the house didn’t even speak, which I thought was unusual for her. And so this “discussion” went on. It was the worst thing I have ever “witnessed” in a witnessing situation.

The preacher just kept on happily talking about God, as she kept angrily responding. Finally, he said the most illogical thing of all. The conversation hadn’t even led to it, but he asked her, “Wouldn’t you like to receive Christ as your Savior?” I couldn’t believe he said it! Had he not heard a word she said? The lady immediately cried out loudly, anguish in her voice, “Do you think I don’t want to?”

I was stunned. (Um, yes. That’s what I think.) But, true to form, Brother Wally did not respond literally to her words; he seized the moment. “Let’s get on our knees, shall we?” Instantly, all five of us dropped to our knees around the coffee table, and the woman prayed earnestly to receive Christ.

The next day, on her way to Florida, the lady stopped to call her sister. She said, “Tell that preacher I’m not traveling by myself. Jesus is riding with me.” All these years later, I am still saying, with astonishment, “What happened?!” God happened. Orchestrated. Offered grace. Won.

Our plans, speeches, feelings did not matter. Only our beseeching mattered, and only because He said so. So, let us beseech.

--Lynda Shenefield