August 16, 2008 I’ll be in Richmond, Virginia doing the one-day Doable Evangelism Seminar with the Young Adult Ministry at the West End Assembly of God church.  This one is mostly an “in-house” event, so there’s no online registration, but if you’re in the area and really, really want to come, you can contact Amanda Bate at the church (804-740-7042). Cost is $35 per person.

The first time someone called me an evangelist, I was horrified by the term. I had had evangelism inflicted on me many times in my life and it hadn’t been a very good experience. My experience had ranged from well-meaning folks who let you know that you were not saved to the occasional sad look you might receive from close friends or family. You knew that they were thinking that you just didn’t get it and that they felt sad for you.  In the end, it wasn’t the threat of hell that brought me to God, it was the beckoning of His pure love.   In fact, I spent the whole first half of my life convinced, like a lot of people, that I was already saved.  Imagine my worry after finally really finding the real Jesus when someone told me that I had the gift of evangelism. How awful is that?

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I took the bus to work this week. Gas prices drove me to take public transportation, but now I feel like there are more reasons to take the bus to work.

I saw so many faces. I was next to so many people. In our world here on the Peninsula, we live in proximity to many, but we are close to very few. On the bus we are forced to rub shoulders with the person next to you. On the bus we are forced to have contact with people. It is a very good thing.

There were lots of conversations all around me. Sure, plenty of people had earphones on - continuing to live in isolation — but most people smiled, greeted each other, thanked the driver, wished people a good day. It felt human. It felt like we are supposed to act this way. I observed people. I prayed behind their backs. I felt connected. I’m riding the bus as often as I can now.

(anonymous, from New Life Community Church in Burlingame, CA)