24 Mar, 2008
OA Stories
Posted by: Randy
From Bill Herzog:
I have been so impacted by the stories here and the words from Jim Henderson and his books. I began to hang out at a local coffee shop. I would get a gift card and buy coffee for random customers who came in.
The first conversation I had as a result of this was with a young lady behind the counter. I noticed she was the only one I ever saw working there when I showed up. I asked her what was going on and she explained that the owners wanted her to work 12 hour shifts, 5 or 6 days a week, and she just could not do it. I told her I would pray for her that she would get some help soon. Within two weeks she had hired three more people. Still, a few weeks later she quit. On her last day I reminded her how faithful God had been to answer the prayer. I told her that I did not know how she felt about God but I knew God cared a whole lot about her.
It was an amazing moment for someone like myself who, even though I am a pastor, is an extreme introvert. I just offered to pray.
I have so many more stories about what God is doing that maybe I can share more in the future but I wanted to say thanks to Jim and the others who have been so encouraging to just be a listener and a friend. I am having more fun right now than I have had in a long time and that says a lot because I love my church and what God has allowed me to be a part of. But this is like riding my motorcycle…fun and refreshing.
(How many times have you heard someone say they thought doing evangelism was “fun and refreshing”? Or compared it to riding a motorcycle? Wow. Thanks, Bill! -Randy)
Categories: OA Stories
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Jim said
am March 25 2008 @ 3:59 am
Bill
Thanks for the encouraging OA. I’m happy that you feel like you get to play
Bill said
am March 27 2008 @ 11:19 pm
The story keeps building Jim. I have questionnaires that would ask ” How many people did you lead to the Lord this year?” and it would always create this guilt in me and I would either have to lie or get creative in my response. Thru what you guys do here I am having more conversations that ever before and the odd thing is people are coming to check out the church and I have not gotten around to inviting them. God is doing something new for me and I love it. I think the key is just caring and listening.
Thanks to you for challenging the church to be the church. It is what I have talked about and now more than ever I am living it out.