Campus Crusade's Daytona Beach project has seen a wide range of changes this summer. Many have been good and encouraging, including this session's topic. The focus of this session is Good News / Good Deeds and God has shown me an unbelievable amount of truth throughout these past few days. There are two things that stick out in my mind to share. One being my outreach experience at a juvenile detention center and the second is simply a strong truth that I hope has been clearly communicated to students. I'll talk about them in order.
Walking into the detention center, I was already a bit shaken because our "plan A" had not worked out so we had to regroup in a matter of minutes. Our new group consisted of about 10 students and staff that were assigned to go into the same room to share the gospel with some students that had been sentenced by a judge to be treated to combat a drug problem. Almost as soon as I had taken my seat towards the front of the room, 19 teenage boys and girls entered. I can't really describe the way that they bounced into the room but it definitely seemed like they had plenty of energy and not a clear desire to be there. They all took their seats and some simply preferred to look at the floor or seat themselves in a rather reclined posture. God spoke to my heart as I saw the dynamic of the group and He warned me that this was going to be really tough. One of our students quickly introduced the group and a testimony was provided to show how God had been used in that person's life. Then, the next person boldly proclaimed their faith and one raised hand started a spiral of deep theological questions.
You know that the conversation is going to be intense when the first question is "Without using the Bible, how do you know that God is real?". Well, that is a very complex question that blew me by surprise. I had been to the facility before and had never encountered such skepticism and hardened hearts towards the gospel. We answered truthfully but I feared that our answers were not as complete as they should be. To be blunt: I felt inadequate to answer by myself but it was an honor to answer alongside my sisters in Christ. Every question was answered and many times by a different person, as the Spirit led. There was a mixed reaction to our answers. Some of them seemed to be hungry for our responses while others were ready to combat our answers with worldly logic. That was quite possibly the most intensive test of my faith that I have ever experienced. However, I know that I serve a powerful God and should be careful in how I revisit that conversation in my mind. I am inadequate but God is not. A purpose was served and I pray that God was glorified. Please pray for two boys that I met. One I will call Ellis whose heart was very hard towards the gospel. Pray that the Holy Spirit would come into his life and that the truth that was spoken would resonate in him. Also, Pray for Cody* who seemed to be prompted by the Spirit and was open to learning about how Christians live. Pray that he reads the Bible that he asked for and that God would place people into his life to speak truth to him.
I want to end with a thought that has followed me throughout this session on evangelism. Much of our talks have been focused around doing good deeds and spreading good news. I hope that it has been made crystal clear to the students and even staff for that matter that proclamation must be present in our demonstration of the gospel so that people may be able to receive Christ. So in essence, I am for demonstrating the fruit in our lives. Hear me clearly. But, it is crucial that we verbally profess Christ while we are serving the needs of those disadvantaged in whatever way. We must make sure that do not just give someone water or meet their physical needs without meeting their spiritual needs as well.
That was a very hard day for me as well. I look at it and I can't believe how much God has shown me from that one experience!
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