Calvary Chapel Columbia

I have been feeling for awhile that I would like to finally begin this blog in hopes it will be a blessing to some and periodically share with you some of the things God has put on my heart.

What prompted me most with the, “go ahead” was this past week with the, “Reviving Columbia Outreach.”

We were so blessed by the body at Calvary Chapel Open Door from California. A group from their body came and ministered to us and contagiously shared with us their tried and proven methods of door to door evangelism. I was most impressed by young teenagers who shared the gospel with ease.

Now, I have had experience sharing the gospel in crowds, but this door to door evangelism, well I was sure some are called to this exclusively. Not so, it is not a gift as we like to often think. It is a commandment to “go” in everyday walk of life. But what about actually carving out time and telling yourself that you are just going to knock on doors. Now, you are talking about something most of us do not do on a regular basis. Ironically, when I was sharing at one young student's apartment, I shared with her Rev. 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and dine with him and he with me.” Jesus had to knock on our door's heart at one time. Who did he use? A service, a friend, a tract, a movie..........or maybe a knock at your front door. What God showed me is to never underestimate your efforts. When the reality came down to it and I observed people on the other side of the door that truly had never heard of John 3:16....I woke up. The term, “ Born Again,” was foreign to many.

Many times because I know we are in the bible belt, I assume many know the truth, but don't live for Him. How deceived I was. There are many lost out there who have never heard the truth at all! It is time we wake up church and hear the cries of the lost and the destitute. But it takes time to go and seek them. It involves giving up something else we would rather be doing and umm..should I say a little more comfortable.

To be honest, I have mentioned before that being in Jerusalem was as close to what I think heaven is going to be like. Now, I have another comparison. The joy of being with like minded believers for a solid week evangelizing together and worshiping Him was awesome! First, there was training, then there was the stuffing of door hangers in preparation to hit the streets. Then the time came to go out. Everybody grabbed their water, prayed and piled into cars. Bear in mind, there was an excitement in the air that was contagious. We were on a mission. There were no sad faces, only joy. Let me not forget the bonding time that takes place with the group you walk with for hours in the scorching heat, but still ecstatic about sharing the gospel. At one point, the gentleman in our group said with tears in his eyes, “ I could literally do this everyday.”

Then came the debriefing at 4:00pm each day. Everybody walking in hot, sweaty and you guessed it... smiling with excitement. Somebody just gave their heart to Christ, somebody just heard about the gospel for the first time! Pastor Roger would open the floor for testimonies and hands would go up everywhere with testimonials that would make any believer jump up and shout praises to God.

Being with like minded believers last week all with a common purpose to glorify Him, unafraid to walk the streets in 100 degree weather sharing the gospel and totally enjoying every minute was my own personal revival. I am so thankful for this week carved out to “wake up” our complacency and fan the flame in our hearts for the lost. I am also thankful for Calvary Chapel Open Door giving up a few weeks of their summer to encourage this fellowship and follow through with the Great Commission.