By Michelle Pavia
This world is lost, desperately so, which is why North Christian Church’s (NCC) Team Freedom continues to meet it face to face, giving it the Gospel of Jesus Christ. On Saturday, June 4th, 2016, members of NCC did just that by attending the Dighton Lions Club’s 27th annual Cow Chip Festival. Activities began at 12:00pm and went well into the evening. Folks from the community gathered to watch tractor pulls, children enjoying carnival rides, and the cows walking around a grid of 484 squares. While people expected to see booths set up for vendors, such as the local bank or artisan jeweler, many seemed surprised by the presence of a local Christian Church whose sole purpose was to share the good news of Jesus Christ. As the Apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22b).
“Deacon Todd Johnson with NCC family members”
When asked what motivated their attendance, one NCC member responded, “The church is not the last hurrah. There is a community and a world out there that needs The Gospel…and they need truth…the Holy Spirit uses us as vessels.” Another member commented, “We are Christ’s family and it is a blessing to be used in any way He sees fit.” An NCC evangelist proclaimed, “It’s a privilege and opportunity I didn’t want to pass up. To have the chance to save even one person’s soul – that might have been the only reason we were there that whole day. God’s grace has been given to us who believe, and to pass that on is the greatest thing we could do in this life.”
Each volunteer manning NCC’s booth shared similar observations. One individual reported, “It was pretty quiet while I was there, but what I noticed was that it was all believers who approached us. It was nice to see how encouraged they were by our presence there and that they took the time to come and offer their encouragement. My experience matched my motivation to attend- family support.” Another member shared, “I saw some people open to the Word, open to the concept of Jesus Christ, and I saw other people who were pushed away by His name. I also saw people who were thankful that there was a representation of their faith in Jesus Christ.”
“Evangelist Scott Grande and Prep School Leader Monica Ledford”
As a member of NCC, I was both encouraged and grateful to see members of my church family motivated to share their love for Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, with a lost and dying world that so desperately needs to understand The Gospel of Jesus Christ. As Pastor Ed Collins stated in one of his recent publications, The Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Boat Analogy, “Today’s ‘gospel’ has become something other than that which is contained in the inspired Word of God. The name remains (something Satan enjoys immensely, I’m sure) but the contents behind it have been either watered down or obliterated completely. It’s no wonder the average lost soul perceives Christianity as schizophrenic…A believer’s job is to get the Gospel right. Present it. Live it. Love it.”
May we believers all press on in spreading The Gospel so that all may come to know Jesus Christ, who said, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water’ ” (John 7:37-38).
