I’ve never been a fan of air travel evangelism. Maybe like me, you have heard speakers tell of traveling to some location, and while traveling on an airliner, they were seated next to another traveler. Striking up a conversation with them, they had the opportunity to witness and share some aspect of Christianity. At the end of the trip, they got off the plane, rejoicing to have made a difference in someone’s life.
It always struck me that a better approach to witnessing would be to share your faith in your own neighborhood, town or church area of influence instead of on an airliner. Then you could be used by God to do more than have a “hit and run” conversation. You could actually help disciple someone over time. That “ought” to be the way to do personal evangelism.
Besides, the few times I get on an air flight, I usually have a list of projects or reading I need to do and I need the time away from phone calls, office duties and drop-in visitors to give it full attention in a quiet setting. And then, I am not a naturally out-going sanguine personality who just loves to strike up deep meaningful conversations with every stranger I meet. If someone takes the initiative to speak to me or ask questions, I am willing to walk right in to a spiritual conversation.
So I’m about to share that God really does have a sense of humor. On a Wednesday, last October 7, I was flying to a Christian Leadership Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. While on the plane I shared my free newspaper with the man next to me. He eventually started chatting and I just asked him some open-ended questions about himself, his work, his tour of duty in the Air Force, his experience at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and his family. In course of my listening to his experience, he spoke of his upbringing by Christian parents and the values he was seeking to establish in his own home. At this point I asked if he and his family attended church. He said he did. Then he mentioned the role of pastors of large churches and the wish he had that some of these pastors would better serve the needs of the community instead of just building up a big church and a big salary. Then, I believe the Holy Spirit jumped in and “pushed” me. I shared with him how the Biblical model is that every Christian is a minister. We don’t have to wait to see the mega-church pastor “get it right,” we are personally called by Christ to minister in His name, wherever we are. We are the minister. So we chatted about that for a couple of minutes. Then I shared with him how God could even use him to minister through his business/work. I urged him to get a copy of the book, Show and Then Tell: Presenting the Gospel Through Everyday Encounters. He thought that sounded good. Then after a little reflection and very general comments on the coming of Christ together, he said to me, “You know, I remember reading a book by Hal Lindsey a while ago about the end of time and the coming of Christ. I ought to get it out read it again.” Then I sensed the Holy Spirit jumping in and pushing me again. I just responded directly, “You know, I have read a book that is much more accurate than Hal Lindsey. There are many things Hal Lindsey doesn’t have just right. But there is this book entitled, ‘Great Controversy’ which carefully and scripturally takes all the issues from the time of Christ, through the early church, the medieval times, the reformation, down to our time and to the times just when Jesus comes. I have found it to be so much more accurate on this topic. You need to get this book and read it.” I gave him directions for finding the Great Controversy online through the Adventist Book Center. He expressed a good interest in this book. Before we left the plan, we exchanged business cards with e-mail addresses. Later, I e-mailed him and mentioned visiting with him. I didn’t mention the book, just that I enjoyed visiting with him. He e-mailed right back and said he was definitely getting the Great Controversy..
Incredible and sobering! I had an actual assignment I had to get done on that 2 hour flight to Atlanta. But God had a different assignment. And you know, I liked the substitute assignment much better. Even if it was airline evangelism!!
Then on the way home, guess what happened on that 2 hour flight. I sat next to a gracious man from southern Virginia. Since it was Friday night, in the plane I got out my Bible and Sabbath School Quarterly. After I finished my SS lesson, he commented to me about some spiritual things. Then he asked me about what Jesus meant about the desolation of the holy place spoken of by Daniel the prophet. So I briefly shared from Matthew 24 on the signs of the times. Then, since the Holy Spirit had jumped in and pushed me just 2 days earlier, I knew the Holy Spirit was ready to go this time. So I went on and said, There is a great book entitled, ‘Great Controversy,’ which is the most accurate description of the issues of the last days before Jesus comes. He asked about the author and I gave him my business card with the name of the book and the Adventist Book Center so he could Google it and order it. Again, he showed an interest in this book. If we are willing for God to work through us, He has the capacity to surprise us, and use us in ways we may not find natural. But once God opens the way, and once we are fully willing for Him to work His will in us, then whatever way God chooses, it becomes exciting and natural! Here is a powerful thought that I think encourages each of us.
“There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in. {AA 109.1}
An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God's way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men. {AA 109.2}
In the trust given to the first disciples, believers in every age have shared. Everyone who has received the gospel has been given sacred truth to impart to the world. God's faithful people have always been aggressive missionaries, consecrating their resources to the honor of His name and wisely using their talents in His service.” {AA 109.3}
It always struck me that a better approach to witnessing would be to share your faith in your own neighborhood, town or church area of influence instead of on an airliner. Then you could be used by God to do more than have a “hit and run” conversation. You could actually help disciple someone over time. That “ought” to be the way to do personal evangelism.
Besides, the few times I get on an air flight, I usually have a list of projects or reading I need to do and I need the time away from phone calls, office duties and drop-in visitors to give it full attention in a quiet setting. And then, I am not a naturally out-going sanguine personality who just loves to strike up deep meaningful conversations with every stranger I meet. If someone takes the initiative to speak to me or ask questions, I am willing to walk right in to a spiritual conversation.
So I’m about to share that God really does have a sense of humor. On a Wednesday, last October 7, I was flying to a Christian Leadership Convention in Atlanta, Georgia. While on the plane I shared my free newspaper with the man next to me. He eventually started chatting and I just asked him some open-ended questions about himself, his work, his tour of duty in the Air Force, his experience at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and his family. In course of my listening to his experience, he spoke of his upbringing by Christian parents and the values he was seeking to establish in his own home. At this point I asked if he and his family attended church. He said he did. Then he mentioned the role of pastors of large churches and the wish he had that some of these pastors would better serve the needs of the community instead of just building up a big church and a big salary. Then, I believe the Holy Spirit jumped in and “pushed” me. I shared with him how the Biblical model is that every Christian is a minister. We don’t have to wait to see the mega-church pastor “get it right,” we are personally called by Christ to minister in His name, wherever we are. We are the minister. So we chatted about that for a couple of minutes. Then I shared with him how God could even use him to minister through his business/work. I urged him to get a copy of the book, Show and Then Tell: Presenting the Gospel Through Everyday Encounters. He thought that sounded good. Then after a little reflection and very general comments on the coming of Christ together, he said to me, “You know, I remember reading a book by Hal Lindsey a while ago about the end of time and the coming of Christ. I ought to get it out read it again.” Then I sensed the Holy Spirit jumping in and pushing me again. I just responded directly, “You know, I have read a book that is much more accurate than Hal Lindsey. There are many things Hal Lindsey doesn’t have just right. But there is this book entitled, ‘Great Controversy’ which carefully and scripturally takes all the issues from the time of Christ, through the early church, the medieval times, the reformation, down to our time and to the times just when Jesus comes. I have found it to be so much more accurate on this topic. You need to get this book and read it.” I gave him directions for finding the Great Controversy online through the Adventist Book Center. He expressed a good interest in this book. Before we left the plan, we exchanged business cards with e-mail addresses. Later, I e-mailed him and mentioned visiting with him. I didn’t mention the book, just that I enjoyed visiting with him. He e-mailed right back and said he was definitely getting the Great Controversy..
Incredible and sobering! I had an actual assignment I had to get done on that 2 hour flight to Atlanta. But God had a different assignment. And you know, I liked the substitute assignment much better. Even if it was airline evangelism!!
Then on the way home, guess what happened on that 2 hour flight. I sat next to a gracious man from southern Virginia. Since it was Friday night, in the plane I got out my Bible and Sabbath School Quarterly. After I finished my SS lesson, he commented to me about some spiritual things. Then he asked me about what Jesus meant about the desolation of the holy place spoken of by Daniel the prophet. So I briefly shared from Matthew 24 on the signs of the times. Then, since the Holy Spirit had jumped in and pushed me just 2 days earlier, I knew the Holy Spirit was ready to go this time. So I went on and said, There is a great book entitled, ‘Great Controversy,’ which is the most accurate description of the issues of the last days before Jesus comes. He asked about the author and I gave him my business card with the name of the book and the Adventist Book Center so he could Google it and order it. Again, he showed an interest in this book. If we are willing for God to work through us, He has the capacity to surprise us, and use us in ways we may not find natural. But once God opens the way, and once we are fully willing for Him to work His will in us, then whatever way God chooses, it becomes exciting and natural! Here is a powerful thought that I think encourages each of us.
“There are many who are reading the Scriptures who cannot understand their true import. All over the world men and women are looking wistfully to heaven. Prayers and tears and inquiries go up from souls longing for light, for grace, for the Holy Spirit. Many are on the verge of the kingdom, waiting only to be gathered in. {AA 109.1}
An angel guided Philip to the one who was seeking for light and who was ready to receive the gospel, and today angels will guide the footsteps of those workers who will allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify their tongues and refine and ennoble their hearts. The angel sent to Philip could himself have done the work for the Ethiopian, but this is not God's way of working. It is His plan that men are to work for their fellow men. {AA 109.2}
In the trust given to the first disciples, believers in every age have shared. Everyone who has received the gospel has been given sacred truth to impart to the world. God's faithful people have always been aggressive missionaries, consecrating their resources to the honor of His name and wisely using their talents in His service.” {AA 109.3}
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