Doable Evangelism will be hosting this event in the University of Nevada, Reno,  Student Center Ballroom, from 9 to 4 on Saturday, March 7. Our partners for this event include:

Intervarsity Christian Fellowship at UNR

Sparks Christian Fellowship

Reno Christian Fellowship

Cost is just $25 per person for the entire day, with a five buck discount per ticket for groups of ten or more (lunch not included)!  Parking is free, both in the open lot directly west of the student center (the meters are not enforced on weekends) and in the covered garage immediately to the south of that parking area.

You can pay at the door (although we’d like to know you’re coming in advance!), but please…cash or check only if you do.  We have no way to accept credit cards at the event.

While shopping for yard signs to promote our church (Bruce, the author here, is the senior pastor of this church), the sales person said, “The church I used to go to did that!” I picked up on the “used to go” and said, “Used to go? What happened?” She said, “Well when I was twelve years old I wanted to be baptized but the pastor didn’t think I was ready so he refused to baptize me.” I said, “Oh I am so sorry that happened to you!”

Later in the conversation she mentioned that she and her boyfriend didn’t really go to church anywhere, and she mentioned their son. I had to leave the store to go home and get some information to continue our sales conversation, but when I returned I said, “You know what, I want to make you two offers. When you are ready to be baptized I will do it for you, anytime, anywhere. Is that a deal? She said, “Yes…and thanks.” Then I said, “And when you’re ready to get married, I’ll marry you free of charge, no questions asked.”

She was overwhelmed with my generosity of spirit and said with a tear in her eye, “You know I’ve never met a pastor like you. They are usually so stiff, preachy and judgmental.” I said, “My goal is to demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways as often as I can.” She said, “I’ll have to try your church out!” I said, “I’d be honored. I think you will be surprised by the openness and love you will experience.”

She did visit twice and seemed to love her experience. It is one of the easiest things I do; doable evangelism. Just loving people in generous and caring ways.

-Bruce

One of the best moments from this week was my first plane flight home from “Impact 08″ (an annual conference of Stonecroft Ministries in Kansas City). It was a 6:20 flight from KC to Denver. I was exhausted. I was sitting next to a man that was 30 years my senior. He asked why I was in KC, and I told him. This led us on the journey of faith. I shared with him all about my faith walk. The struggles, the joys, finding freedom in Christ. Being a seeker everyday and seeing his goodness in my life. All of it.

Then he shared with me about his Muslim faith. Things I didn’t know about. Things that I had read, but no one had really explained to me. Clearly we had theological differences, but there was a deep respect in the conversation. His view is that sometimes we need to look at commonalities in order to address global issues. He is a part of an interfaith movement that works together for the good of everyone. We shared together about the many cultural, generational, and spiritual differences. I asked him who Jesus was to him. He told me. Then I shared who Jesus is to me. And he listened.

There were no arguments or harsh words. Just two people on the plane talking about faith and love. The Gospel message is a non-negotiable for me, and in that moment, I got to share what it meant in my life. I was surprised as the plane was landing that he asked me to pray. We held hands and I prayed to God openly and thanked him for the opportunity to sit by this man. I am changed because of that plane trip. Not my belief in God, but my desire to connect with people who are different than me. God has challenged my heart to listen more when I am talking to people.

-Trina