We recently asked April the following questions, to help us get to know her better:

How did you first hear about Off The Map?

I started contributing at a blog called Emerging Evangelism and Bruce Logue noticed a post that I had done there called, “The Value of a Good Question.” Bruce backtracked from the OA blog and I followed his link and wound up posting there regularly.

What was it about the OA blog that caught your attention?

I have been OAing for a long time without having a name for it, and I think there is a kindness in an OA that speaks to me. An OA doesn’t have preconceived notions or labels about people. It doesn’t depend on whether or not it likes you. It listens, loves, and inspires. The OA blog encourages us to step forward without fear and connect with people. That’s a virtue that I would like to see spread everywhere.

Why did you accept our invitation to post on the OA blog?

I believe that people have a misconception about what evangelism is, and I wanted to be part of changing the way we talk to people about Christ. My hope is that my posts might inspire someone to deliver the good news as good news is meant to be delivered, and hopefully prevent others from being wounded by Christians.

Where did you learn to tell such interesting stories in so few words?

I guess in blogging it’s a good thing, but it may explain why I am struggling with that novel I’ve been working on! I think I will blame caffeine on this one, although I do have a habit of being very direct.

How did you get involved in ministering to convalescent homes? What do you enjoy most about that ministry?

My husband and I were members of a praise team at a local Presbyterian church, and in general, the church had been resistant to our non-traditional form of worship. Our group had gone to a local convalescent home at the request of a former member, and we all experienced such an overwhelming feeling of love and compassion while we were there. About a year later, the church voted to end our service, and through that series of disappointing circumstances, we left the church. A week after we left the church, a former friend and former member of the church as well came to have coffee with me and she inspired me to believe that God had called me out of the church for a purpose.

That conversation caused my attitude to turn from one of grieving to one of excitement at the prospect of God working in my life. The next day, I called all the praise team members and asked them if they would like to join me to bring a service to a convalescent home and they all responded positively. The first convalescent home I called had an opening, and we were on our way. A year later, we added another one. We do toe-tapping, fun Southern Gospel music and many of the old standards and we intentionally greet each senior before and after the service in order to allow for time to pray with them and for their specific needs. Our group has changed in number since the beginning and we are now a quartet of singers consisting of my husband, myself, another husband and wife team, and a spunky 73-year-old woman who gives our message. We also bring our nine-year-old son along, who sings with us occasionally and greets the seniors.

I love seeing God at work in direct ministry. God does His best work where there is great need, and we see that nearly everytime we go. We offer hope in a place where they have lost nearly everything they once had. I have learned so much about myself, about ministry and spiritual gifts, about the importance of remaining true to God’s objectives, about life and death, and about God. I am grateful that God has given me the gift of this ministry because it has changed my life and put me on a course of a great adventure.

Anything else you want to share?

Never doubt that God will give you what you need in order to accomplish His purpose and never be afraid to step forward first. God blesses you when your faith is an action, even when you are taking that first step blindly.