Long-time friend chooses to follow Jesus

God's reach goes far beyond KC!

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”
​Ephesians 3:20

A gut-wrenching, tear-filled prayer for God to bring people to himself and the answer of that prayer the next day!

I had a support raising call scheduled with a buddy from high school. He lives in Austin, TX so we were planning on Skyping to connect and catch up. He shared about the business he went to start and the trials and successes that went along with it. I shared about starting a church and in the same vein. We encouraged each other and unified on the difficulties and hard work it takes to start something new.

I shared with my buddy the why, what and church vision of River Market Community Church. I shared the 3-year and 5-year plans, our present goals and strategies in how to move in the direction to bring those plans into fruition. I invited my brother to become a financial investor in God’s work here in downtown KC!

He was excited at the opportunity and said he would love to talk to his wife and get back with me. He thanked me for thinking of him and inviting him for being involved.

The convo stopped for a second and when I was ready to end the call, Randy said, “Jim, so why? Why are you doing this again? What changed your life? What made you live differently.”

I chuckled, took a peace-filling breath and shared my full story about God’s redemptive work in my life and what Jesus did through his Gospel to transform my life. How that has caused me to follow Jesus as a disciple and figure out my calling which includes giving my life to Jesus’ movement of spreading the Gospel, making disciples and starting churches that start churches.

Randy shared struggles and how he knew God was always there. I encouraged him that now is the time to follow Jesus and Randy decided to do so. Randy turned to God, confessed sins and put his faith in Jesus. God forgave him of all his sins and declared him righteous!  We prayed together and Randy is now walking with God and working out his relationship with him as Jesus’ disciple. He is looking for a local church in his community. He has set down some old ways and is picking up new ones on his journey with God!

Laura and I were able to have a follow up Skype with Randy and his wife. We got to meet their little baby girl and celebrate with them in their journey! Please join us in prayer for Randy, Patty, Elaina and business! 

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
​Philippians 1:3-6