At My Front Door

SOUTHERN ACCENTS MAGAZINE

Photo: Tria Giovan; Designer: Mary Evelyn McKee

Photo Number 771390

FROM THE HEART OF DR. REXELLA VAN IMPE

At My Front Door

Soulwinning is everybody's business. When our Lord Jesus issued the Great Commission, He did not direct it just to preachers, or the highly educated, or the good talkers.

He sent us all... and made us all equally responsible. Yet, sadly, I'm told that the vast majority of church members today have not won another person to Christ in the last 12 months. In fact, most Christians surveyed said they have never personally led anybody to the Lord.

Why? I'm convinced it is not because they don't care. Most Christians I meet are very concerned about the lost. They are praying for unsaved loved ones and many are giving to support missionary and evangelistic ministries. They rejoice to hear good reports of precious souls won to Christ.

Why, then, have they not become soulwinners personally?

I believe it is because they feel unworthy and unprepared to talk with another person about something as important as his or her personal salvation.

"I don't know what to say... or where to find the right scriptures," people often tell me. "And if someone asked me a question, I'm not sure I'd have the right answer. What if I said or did the wrong thing and kept someone from being saved?"

Have you ever felt this way? Well, let me tell you from my own personal experience that there is something YOU can do for the Lord. You can personally witness to others and help lead them to make a decision for Christ.

We didn't get home that night until about 9 o'clock, and Dr. Van Impe had a flight to catch at 6 o'clock the next morning. Besides, it was storming, with rain and lightning. But he insisted on getting the invitation flyers delivered. He got on his bicycle and rode through the rain to each house in the neighborhood. Who knows how many did watch the special and hear the gospel proclaimed!

Be God's representative in your everyday living

I'd also like to share with you about the little mission field the Lord has given me just a few blocks from home.

I tell you this, not to call attention to myself, but to show you that God has a ministry for each of us -- a job we can do that no one else can accomplish.

When I'm not on the road with my husband, I often stop by a small shopping mall near our home. It has many convenient stores and shops, and when I can spare a few minutes, I enjoy just browsing.

During my visits there, the Lord has given me opportunities to witness to several of the workers there -- waitresses and sales ladies -- and to lead some of them to Christ.

Now, I didn't go there with my Bible under my arm, looking for someone I could talk with. In almost every case, the individual would approach me and start the conversation.

Sometimes they'd say, "Why are you always so happy? There's something different about you!" Or when I asked how they were doing, they might say, "I'm having a problem..." and begin to pour out their heart to me.

They didn't care whether or not I was a Bible school graduate or even what church I went to. But they sensed my love and interest in them... and they wanted to hear my personal testimony. Helping them pray and accept Jesus was just so natural and easy, then.

These girls might never have watched our TV program, or attended a crusade or church service. But right there, in their world, they were searching and hungry... and so receptive.

You can be a soulwinner

There are people in your world that only you can reach. They don't need you to preach to them, or persuade them. They just need you to share with them the same joy and power that helps you through life.

Every person you work with or go to school with ...every waitress, or sales person, every visitor to your front door may be looking for someone like you -- a real, everyday, down-to-earth, flesh and blood person -- to tell them about Jesus and how to be saved.

When the opportunity comes, be ready. Show love... tell what the Lord has done for you. The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

If you're willing to do these simple things, you can be a soulwinner. And what a thrill and joy to help someone else accept the Lord.

Set a goal to win at least one person to Christ this year. You can do it! And you'll discover why the writer of Proverbs declared, He that winneth souls is wise (11:30).