Ministry Connections: Evangelism
by Garry Poole

Volume 14 Issue 2, 2007

One Link in the Chain

Jay was one of my closest friends. Growing up, we uncovered many common interests, but none as intense as our love of sports. That’s where we really turned up the competitive heat — always trying to outdo each other. But in spite of our numerous similarities, there was one glaring difference between us. Our faith.

I was a Christian and Jay believed God was a figment of my imagination. “There is no God,” he’d insist. “Your parents brainwashed you and you foolishly bought into the lie.” If I was an ambassador for Christ, Jay was an ambassador for the other side. While I openly let others discover the God I trusted, Jay eagerly expressed his lack of belief — and both of us firmly stood our ground with confidence.

One summer, Jay and I enjoyed many fierce tennis matches at the local park. Playing late into the night, we’d find ourselves sitting on the hoods of our cars afterwards to cool down and talk. We’d discuss whatever was on our minds — usually starting with him congratulating me on another win (go ahead, ask him!). You name it, we covered it.

Inevitably, Jay brought our conversations around to spiritual things. “Now, you know I don’t believe in God,” he would insist, “but tell me this ... if He did exist, why do you suppose ...” Then he would dive into deep spiritual waters. Jay seemed genuinely interested in exploring the implications of God’s existence and, unfortunately, I sunk more times than I swam. It was increasingly obvious to me that his objections were so ingrained that it would take a miracle to get him to change his mind.

I vividly recall the time, following one of our late night debates, being ambushed with compassion for my friend. On my way home, I stopped to pray fervently that God would somehow open Jay’s eyes to the truth of who He was. In that moment, I inexplicably encountered a glimpse of God’s heart toward Jay — and others who are far from Him.

At the end of the summer, Jay and I went our separate ways. I wondered about Him from time to time and I seriously doubted our spiritual conversations made any real difference.

But then it happened. I got the “Guess What” phone call. You never know when it might come, but when it does you’ll never forget it.

Jay calling to tell me the good news! He had been invited to discuss the Bible with some friends at college. He raised his toughest questions — including the ones he claimed I never seemed to be able to answer. (Funny, I don’t remember that part!) Week after week he wrestled over various spiritual issues within the safety of this group until he finally reached the point where he realized God did exist ... and maybe, just maybe, he could get to know Him in a personal way through His Son, Jesus.

I was amazed — and thrilled!

While I wasn’t there to see Jay cross the line of faith, just knowing I may have played a small role in his life-changing decision was mind-boggling. Jay’s story has become a milestone for me. Although I received that “Guess What!” phone call a long time ago, it’s still a source of motivation for me to keep on reaching out to seekers — and a reminder that the journey to spiritual discovery is a process — like a chain with many links.

Years later, a stranger knocked on my office door. “I wanted to stop by and just thank you,” he said. “Your friend Jay led me to Christ.” While I sat in stunned silence, this guy told me the story of how he had been so impacted by the love of Christ that he wound up leaving the marketplace to attend seminary and eventually became a pastor of a church.

That settled it. Nothing compares ...

Garry Poole is Willow Creek’s Neighborhood Ministries outreach director and the author of Seeker Small Groups

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